Why do we listen to music? There are a number of reasons, but it all boils down to this: music makes us feel things. Whether it’s hard rock or bubblegum pop or the saddest ballads, it’s all infused with emotions. Musicians and artists often create music for the same reason we listen to it: to express emotions. The life of a celebrity is a lot different than the average joe on the street, though. How do songwriters and singers balance expressing their own emotions with creating music that the rest of the world can understand and feel? Eric Nam does it perfectly in his latest album, “House on a Hill” released on September 8.
"House on a Hill" is the first track on the album bearing its name. This song is about being content in the moment and fighting the instinct to always strive for the next best thing. Eric sings, "What if I had everything I want? What if nothing ever fills me up? What if being happy isn't what I thought? What if more is never enough?" The lyrics are paired with Eric's calm, almost sleepy tone, and the chill beat of the music. Whether or not the tone was actually set to represent contentment in the present, that's exactly the vibe it gives off.
The next track, “Don’t Leave Yet” has a brighter dance beat. This song is imploring someone to stay at the party, or the concert, or wherever they are, just to stay underneath the “neon lights.” The lyric, “Heartbreak’s the reason,” makes it clear that whoever Eric is singing to is devastated and wants to give up, but that’s the very reason they should stay. This song can be interpreted in a number of ways. In the music video, it’s a woman Eric is dancing with at a party to make the night worthwhile. He could just as easily be talking to his fans, who go through hard times but find comfort and joy at his shows, or he could be talking to himself and to other artists who use their struggles and heartbreak as inspiration for performances. No matter who the song was made for or how you interpret it, the message is still the same: “You don’t need to leave yet.”
“Only for a Moment” returns to the soft sound of “House on a Hill.” The third track is about falling in love in a single moment, and suddenly you imagine your entire future unfolding before you with this person. During the bridge, Eric sings, “Now I’m running to see if you’ll give me/A second, a minute, an hour.” After this breakthrough, the lyrics go from, “It was only for a moment,” to, “Now we’re in this moment,” and, “It was more than just a moment.” Like “House on a Hill”, “Only for a Moment” is about appreciating the little things, such as one life-changing moment.
The content mood is quickly brought back down by “I Wish I Wasn’t Me”, an emotional song about wanting to be someone else, to have a different life, but still pretending to be ok for everyone else. This is a song about the cold, hard struggle of fame, and yet the lyrics apply to everyday life. “But let’s give ‘em a show/Bring out the marching band/Hoping that no one can see/When the curtains are closed/I’m alone in an empty room/Wishing that I wasn’t me.” We all fake it sometimes. We’ve all felt alone before, and there are days for all of us that make us hate ourselves.
“Undefined” picks up the beat from “I Wish I Wasn’t Me”, with a unique dance sound. This fifth track is about an undefined relationship with someone that could be love in a different life. It’s about holding on to “shades of gray between the lines”, or living by the what-ifs. Contrary to this unsure dynamic, “Sink or Swim” is about a committed relationship. “Blue skies or tidal waves/I’m with you either way/To sink or to swim with you.” This song can be about a singular person who’s worth everything, or maybe it’s about a dedicated fandom that motivates you to keep going even through the hardships previously described. Either way, the electronic song is hopeful. “Exist” goes further with these sentiments in a slightly calmer tone. “Only you and I exist.” This is the song of people who are a mess, but it doesn’t matter when they come together.
The album concludes with a remix of “House on a Hill” featuring Em Beihold. The collaboration is fitting, bringing something new and exciting to the song. Starting and ending with different versions of the same songs bring the album full circle. Through all of the ups and down, the highs and lows, the love and frustration, it all comes back to the conclusion: to be content in the moment. The message is, in some ways, unique to Eric Nam. Other aspects summarize the entire human experience. If this album says one thing, it’s that we aren’t as different as we think we are.
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