It’s the hip-hop album everyone’s been waiting for, highly anticipated ever since Epik High members Tablo and Mithra announced that they were actually releasing another album (contrary to what we had thought) while DJ Tukutz serves his mandatory military duties.

Epilogue brings to mind a much more tender and somber tone that I reckon a lot of you were not expecting. Compared to its predecessor – [e] – this album’s toned down demeanor gives its music a more breezier quality, simultaneously  displaying a softer side of Epik High.

It goes without saying that one of Epik High’s fortes is their lyrical melodies.  Tablo and Mithra celebrate the lingering idea of “hope” and “perseverance” through airy choruses (such as in 바보) and meandering instrumentals (like in their title track, Run) so well, that once you’re half way through this album, your conscience has already been swept off the ground and into a melodically soothing state of mind.

Epilogue is stuffed with great tracks.  Even ‘서랍‘, ‘Blossom‘ and ‘숲‘ (all instrumentals) are first-rate songs.

Tablo’s singing voice isn’t particularly strong nor impressive, but it adds a subtle charm and believability to songs, such as ‘잡음’ (my favorite song off the album), which crafts the perfect atmosphere that the music calls for without overdoing it.

Epik High’s earnest lyrics, contrasted with a refined style, earns them a big, fat thank you for their efforts in ‘Epilogue’.  It’s a taste of a refreshing blend of hip-hop and quirky melodies that deserves to be heard in full.  Perhaps a couple dozen times, because this album is unquestionably worthy of 30.5 minutes of your time.

What are your thoughts on ‘Epilogue’?