[Song & MV Review] Eric Nam's 'Interview' - the answer to your questions?

AKP STAFF

ERIC NAM - INTERVIEW

Track List:

1. Interview
2. Good For You *Title
3. Stop The Rain
4. No Comment
5. Good For You (International Ver.)

The designated interviewer of foreign celebrities when they come to Korea has released his own "interview." Eric Nam has just released his new mini-album 'Interview,' his first since his debut in 2013. He has released a slew of singles in the past few years, and most recently teamed up for the popular "Spring Love" with Red Velvet's Wendy, not to mention the covers he released along with this EP. He co-wrote and co-composed the title track "Good For You."

The album kicks off with the lively acoustic track "Interview." Starting off with tinkling bells and an acoustic guitar, the tune is carried by Nam's easy tenor. It's a folked-up pop tune, easy on the ears and enough of a beat to keep your head nodding. Nam is asking the girl questions, like an interview.

"Good For You" is the EP's title track. Featuring a lonely piano and snaps at the beginning, he kicks it up a little during the chorus. It's sort of a smooth jazz number, and it almost seems like something you might hear in a coffeehouse. It just has that hipster sensibility that makes me think that. It's definitely catchy, and you'll find yourself singing along to the chorus in no time.The singer is telling a girlfriend how he's good for her.

Nam gets even smoother on "Stop The Rain." His capable vox behind the mic tell the story, as an acoustic guitar keeps the time on this soft rock tune. He has almost pleading tone during the chorus, even as his impassioned tenor rises. This is probably the most emotional tune on the disc, and he wrenches every drop of pain from the piece. The lyrics tell the story:

"Baby you can stop the rain
I can take away the pain...
You can trust in us"

"No Comment" slows things down, becoming a reflective folk ballad. Here his voice rises to falsetto, even as it's full of regret. He bends a note sweetly, and here he gets even more of a chance to shine. Notably, despite all the softness on this EP, this is the only true ballad here. If you're not careful, it'll bring a tear to your eye. Referencing the 'interview,' he's asking if everything they felt was real.

And now we come to "Good For You (International Ver.)" How does it stack up to the original? Nam's pretty singing voice is just as good here as on the Korean track, and the instrumentation has been lifted wholesale. The English lyrics are very different. In some cases the intent is still there, but sections of the main verse are changed or in some cases excised completely. Not sure if I'm comfortable with that, but they didn't ask me.

This album is an airy, easy listen. The thing I noticed about the tunes is that he doesn't dwell too much on pain or breakup here, but rather about putting a smile on your face. He could have gone all out, but we only have one soul-searing tune, "Stop The Rain," and even it has a fatalism, a resignation to something that's already happened. This has a fairly reliable folk song air to it, all brought to you by a man whose voice soars with the angels. If you liked "Spring Love," definitely give this one a spin. You might find yourself falling in love with his voice all over again.

MV REVIEW

Amusingly, some of the action takes place in a coffee shop, and Eric is its prince. The scenes don't stay in one place too long, though, as Nam is singing on the radio, spilling espresso, and dozing off while studying. His love interest is going through similar paces, hurting herself while practicing dancing, and apparently having been hurt by a former lover, while a new one comes into her life. The new guy seems to be Nam, though we never see who...

I like the way they framed some of the scenes, with light streaming through windows, and sets that look authentic (even if that green hallway looks oddly familiar...). I prefer MVs that have some sort of story to them, something I can sink my teeth into. I'm a writer, so I suppose that should come as no surprise.

This is an effective use of drama in an MV. Again, as the point is not to be too downbeat, the girl's pain is lifted by the end. The people play their parts well as they are shot scene by scene, and there are vignettes of Eric performing as well. The actors are definitely easy on the eyes, too. It helps that the song is really good as well, adding some emotional weight to the whole thing. Definitely a thumbs up.

Score

MV Relevance......10
MV Production.......9
MV Concept...........9
Album Production..8
Album Concept......9
Tracklisting............9