Epik High 99 Album Review and Information

Epik High's 99 album is very different from their previous albums; it's more upbeat and uplifting overall. Despite the obvious change in sound, I can still hear and see the traces of Epik High. They are still themselves, but as we all know people change and evolve as time goes on. I was actually hoping for something different with this album, so I was pleased. I enjoy their previous albums, but I always hoped for more upbeat and happy songs. It may be different, but it's still their style; people are multifaceted. Why wouldn't musicians and artists be as well?

99 is Epik High's seventh studio album. Park Bom from 2ne1; Lee Ha Yi from Su Pearls; and Gaeko from Dynamic Duo are featured on this album. 99 was released digitally on October 19, 2012 and physically on October 23, 2012. On October 22, 2012, a commentary film was released that features some behind the scenes of the music videos for Up and Don't Hate Me and studio recordings.

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My Rating: 5/5

Up Music Video

Up English Translation, Romanization, and Hangul

I immediately fell in love with this song, especially because I was going through a tough time at that moment. I love Park Bom's powerful voice and think that her voice was ideal for this song. This was a very good collaboration. Up is perfect for helping motivate you to keep on persevering when you're stuck in a rut. This energizing song is about getting back up when you fall down and refusing to let any obstacles stand in the way of your destination. Up is also about overcoming your fears and focusing on the present instead of the past. Epik High also expresses that it may seem like you're trapped with no way out, but there's always a solution: "There's an enemy before me and there's a river behind me, but I fly high. I look up."

Some people have said that Park Bom's voice sounds strained in this song, but that's just her singing voice that is full of emotion. She always sings that way and I like how much emotion is in her voice. Listen to Park Bom in It Hurts by 2ne1 and We Belong Together by Big Bang. I don't think her voice sounds strained. I think her voice is ideal for r&b and hip hop. Her way of singing reminds me of Mariah Carey when she sings with a lot of emotion.

My Rating: 5/5

Don't Hate Me Music Video

Don't Hate Me English Translation

Don't Hate Me is a rock song about not caring if everyone else in the world hates you, as long as that one special person loves you. I really like this song because I can relate to it and I like how different it is from their previous music.

I think that Don't Hate Me can also be interpreted as a more personal song by Epik High for their fans, so they are meaning that they are fine as long as their fans are clapping for them. Their haters don't matter, yet they are grateful for the hate that makes them stronger: “Love and hate! I'm grateful for both.”

My Rating: 4.5/5

A Word That Shouldn't Be Said When In Love English and Romanization

A love lesson from Epik High! A Word That Shouldn't Be Said in Love is an 80's pop style song that humorously teaches phrases that must be avoided at all costs in a relationship. I wish I could have heard this song before I said some of those things in the past! G-Dragon may have helped you get the girl in Hello, but Epik High helps you keep her with A Word That Shouldn't Be Said in Love.

My Rating: 5/5

It's Cold Music Video

It's Cold English Translation and Romanization

It's Cold is a slower and more depressing song than the first three tracks. I was so shocked by Lee Hi's voice in this song because I'm used to hearing songs by her that are very soulful. That's not a bad thing though because she pulled off the empty and cold feeling very well. Her beautiful high voice matched the theme of this song well. The way she sang her lines in such a numb sounding and cold way expressed the song perfectly. In addition, her feminine voice contrasted nicely with the male voices of Epik High. It obviously would have been strange if she were singing like she did in her single 1, 2, 3, 4.

My Rating: 4.5/5

You Don't Deserve Her English Translation and Romanization

You Don't Deserve Her is a rap song with beat-boxing about a girl who dates men that don't treat her well. I really love how it starts off with just beat-boxing and it slowly builds up until the chorus begins. The singing is very beautiful and complements the song well.

My Rating: 5/5

Get Out the Way

*Get Out the Way English Translation, Romanization, and Hangul

Get Out of the Way is an aggressive, fast rap song. I really like how fast they rap at some parts and aggressively say “bikyeo”.

Note: Get Out the Way comes with the CD version only.

My Rating: 5/5

The Bad Guy English Translation and Romanization

The Bad Guy is a fun song about preferring to be a bad guy because it's more exciting than being a boring goody-two-shoes. He extends this to women too by saying he only likes bad girls. My favorite part of the song is “I don't just spend money... I kill bills.” The first time I heard this song, I actually laughed out loud because it was unexpected and amusing. I REALLY want a shirt that says that on it now.

My Rating: 5/5

Kill This Love English Translation and Romanization

Featuring light dubstep, Kill This Love is a great song about desperately wanting to stop loving someone. No matter what you do, you can't seem to get over the person: “I've set fire to our recollections. I hoped that my regrets will become a pile of ash. But, they've only gotten hotter.” You even resort to begging God to help you kill your feelings.

My Rating: 5/5

New Beautiful English Translation, Romanization, and Spanish Translation

New Beautiful is an upbeat song about how being different and real is what's really beautiful in a person. This song also tells off close-minded people who think you're ugly, weird, or perverse for daring to be yourself.

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