Eric Nam, There and Back Again | Album Review 💿

Eric Nam may never break a sweat on There and Back Again, but the temperature certainly rises nonetheless on this brief, pleasant LP.

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repare to swoon! 🎙 Eric Nam is a fantastic singer, marvelously showcasing his vocal gifts on the short but sweet album, 💿 There and Back Again.  Running a mere seven tracks and 20 minutes in duration, There and Back Again sufficiently tickles one’s fancy despite its brevity.  The Korean American standout, who is also an actor, shines from start to finish, serving up a relatively low-key, crooning style of K-pop encompassing pop and R&B.  He may never break a sweat, but the temperature rises nonetheless throughout the course of There and Back Again, NO CAP!

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“Lost on Me”

There and Back Again commences smoothly and rhythmically with 🤩🎵 “Lost on Me.”  Eric Nam sings with an easygoing, gorgeous tone, never getting too high or too low.  Nam has a memorable, tuneful melody to work with, which is half the battle.  He exhibits the utmost finesse. He lies somewhere between pop and R&B – that sweet spot for K-Pop. The production (🎛 Rabitt) is sweet too, exhibiting the same balance Nam does as the headlining musician.  Throw in a catchy pre-chorus and chorus, and “Lost on Me” is killer.

“Everything about you now is bittersweet (Bittersweet)

Last song in the symphony (Symphony)

Though the show might be over

You should know that your love wasn’t lost on me.”

Those silky, buttery smooth vocals by Nam continue in 🤩 🎵 “I Don’t Know You Anymore” without a hitch.  Eric has a sensational instrument to work with – understatement. Throw in some harmonies on this brief but tasty joint, and things become even tastier.  The theme: Lovers drifting apart.  Oh, the plight of love! “You wanted the moon and the stars and the whole galaxy / I gave you my heart and you gave it back missing a piece.” Woo! Ultimately, according to Nam, “All I know is, I don’t know you anymore / We’ve gone too far, we fell too hard.” Too late for this relationship to work anymore!

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“Any Other Way” 

“Because I-I-I-I-I-I / Wouldn’t have it any other way / Oh, oh, any other way-ay.” The Korean American musician continues his musical tear on 🤩 🎵 “Any Other Way.”  Like the two songs preceding, the groove and vocals are lit 🔥.  The production (Rabitt and 🎛 Chris Lyon) also remains a selling point, never ‘doing too much’ yet delivering the goods.  Nam continues to croon like a boss, maintaining an impressive poise 💪.  Also impressive about this single from There and Back Again is his falsetto which is incredibly ripe. 

Rabitt really outdoes himself on the boards of 🤩 🎵 “Wildfire” with those banging, hard-hitting drums and dare I say dubstep cues (synths, pads).  As always, Eric Nam is the engine that makes things go. Nam delivers another sophisticated performance, maintaining his cool but potent tenor.  He rises to the occasion, of course, with some electrifying falsetto, even adding some bite as he asserts, “But we got caught, ooh / in a wildfire.” The harmonized vocals mark one of the best features, with all their futuristic, otherworldly aesthetic.

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“What If”

There and Back Again keeps rolling on 🎵 “What If”. It’s yet another sleekly produced, hella groovy pop joint that showcases Eric Nam at his best. There’s NO way you don’t tap your feet to its driving rhythmic lines – it’s infectious.  Also, how do you not find yourself taken with those warm, perfect vocals by this dashing pop star? On penultimate record 🎵 “Admit,” prepare yourself to swoon once more – it’s those vocals man! Like the records preceding it, “Admit” is sensibly written.  The form is predictable, which makes this brief number accessible and respectable – verse/pre-chorus/chorus/verse/pre-chorus/chorus.  Are there any surprises? No.  perhaps “Admit” could use risk to take it to the next level, nitpicking, but ultimately, it’s another welcome addition to There and Back Again.

There and Back Again concludes on a high note with 🤩 🎵 “One Way Lover”.  Those expecting the one ‘explicit’ song to be ‘dirty’ will likely be disappointed.  Eric Nam utters one swear word in the second verse when he easily sings, “I’m okay with the way / That you’re handling your shit.” Yup, that’s all we get, and he slides it in like it’s nothing – boss!  Thematically, anybody who’s experienced with love should be able to relate to the heartbreak and conflicted feelings Nam experiences.  The chorus is the centerpiece, made even better by the tasteful, colorful synths of Rabitt.

“How you living?

Bet it’s not so different

Don’t you ever wanna miss me at all?

You’re a one-way lover

Now it makes me wonder

Why I’d ever wanna miss you at all.” 

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Final Thoughts 💭

At a tight seven tracks and 20 minutes, 🎙 Eric Nam delivers a truly pleasant, listening experience with 💿 There and Back Again.  Is it a game-changing pop/ K-Pop album? No, but it’s polished, sophisticated, and well-rounded with ample replay value.  Eric Nam is easy on the eyes and easy on the ears. Win-win! 

🤩 Gems 💎: “Lost on Me,” “I Don’t Know You Anymore,” “Any Other Way,” “Wildfire” & “One Way Lover”

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🎙 Eric Nam • 💿 There and Back Again • 🏷 The Eric Nam Company • 🗓 1.7.22
[📷: The Eric Nam Company]

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