Track List:
01. Sleepless
02. In Seoul (Feat. 선우정아)
03. 술이 달다 (LOVEDRUNK) (Feat. 크러쉬 CRUSH)
04. 새벽에
05. No Different (Feat. Yuna)
06. 비가 온대 내일도
07. Lullaby For A Cat
Epik High slides back into the music game with a surprise album I wasn't really looking out for. I have loved Epik High for years and even liked their last album but Tablo seems to be going through problems within himself that caused this awesome group to have a few setbacks releasing consistently. Not to mention he pretty much has his own label where he's looking after other artists like YG entertainment throw away: Lee Hi. This new album comes at a time when I might have started to wonder where Epik High could be. I know half the answer as Epik High's been active on their Youtube channel lately. Sleepless wouldn't make my list of best albums released by Epik High. It's nowhere close, however, I believe Sleepless is more of therapy for Tablo than anything else. Songs on the album tell a story of how he still has issues trusting himself in love and life. So much to the point that he has problems sleeping. Even though the album has some good lineups in features, such as Crush followed by Yuna Kim, Sleepless as a whole album feels sort of drowsy. Each track has a more laid back slow vide than what many listeners are used to from the rap group. I had to listen to the album at least two times to kill the expectations I had from the last album causing me to down right hate this new release at first. I've found reasons that I like Sleepless which mostly revolve around the production value of Epik High that fans get in every release. They never not have good bars, They are always true to their emotions at the time of recording, on top of that they're never afraid to try new sounds outside of the stereotypical sound of Hiphop. What's missing that really hurts this album for me at least is the lack of a song that goes hard. Epik High or at least Tablo probably wasn't feeling a catchy beat heavy track considering the lyrical content. Melodrama Epik High made up Jazz rhythm and classical piano paired to violins was very artsy. Just not as groundbreaking as their older music.
No Different featuring Yuna Kim was recorded completely in english and was the standout track to me. Well, outside of In Seoul. Both tracks really set the mood for the album with each singers feature vocals. Epik High always excels the most when they feature female singers in their songs. Most of the songs they have done through the years featured female singers. These singers often come using a smoothness that's familiar territory in Epik High's music.
If you're a big Epik High fan, Sleepless is at least worth checking out. Don't expect too much though. They basically went ballad hip hop based off of Tablo's ever changing emotions.
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