Eun Jiwon—‘G1’ Album Review

It has been four years since Eun Jiwon released TRAUMA, a four song, self-produced EP that showcased the mature and developed sound the artist has honed over his lengthy career. It was packed full of old school hip-hop instrumentation, clever collaborations, and a sense of artistry that is hard to find in the music industry these days. There is no denying the extended play’s quality, and it is something that has left fans yearning for more ever since.

And, after signing to YG Entertainment in 2017, one year after signing to the label as part of a reunion with the K-Pop group SECHSKIES—a group which Jiwon finds himself as the leader of, the 42 year old is back with G1, a release that is bold, refined, and quintessentially Eun Jiwon. There’s no sense of dullness throughout the nine track offering, and each song presents new and interesting soundscapes, as well as the stylings fans of the artist have become accustomed to. A real stroke of genius, the album shows uncompromising quality, and has the ability to have its willing audience once again be more-than impressed by the veteran rap artist.

Starting the release is “How We Do,” a refined, old school, hip-hop track that relies on catchy snare drums, simple melodies, and Jiwon’s raw talent. It’s sleek throughout, with the simple chorus providing ample catchiness, and the well-thought-out instrumentation allowing for a tangibly relaxing offering. It mightn’t be a bold way to start out your first full-length album in 10 years, but it’s a tried-and-tested method that still holds up in 2019.

“I’m On Fire,” a collaboration with Blue D, follows. Lead by an earworm of a refrain, effortless flow, and an intriguing boom bap style, it’s a track that oozes quality, and earns its stars as the flag-bearer for the album without argument. Thanks to the WINNER member Mino’s participation in the song’s composition, the offering gains an element of the trendy hip-hop sounds dominating the charts currently, but it does this without compromising the stylings that make Jiwon the artist he is. A love song written metaphorically through the idea of a moth being attracted to flames, it’s a solid re-introduction to the maturity of the 42-year-old’s style, and sets the bar for the album at the highest level.

On the topic of Mino, the artist also lends his services for “Hooligan,” an abrasive, in-your-face, hip-hop track. Fast paced and full of tangible energy, it’s something full of experimentation, and pushes the limits of what you might expect from a veteran artist. The chemistry between both Mino and Jiwon is seamless, helping to carve out a song that will find its way onto playlists for years to come.

Preceding “Hooligan” are “Sexy” and “Worthless,” two tracks that offer up differing styles, but retain a uniform sense of the expected high standard. The former, a song that features samba-inspired instrumentation, exciting trap beats, and an energetic chorus that is impossible to ignore, finds itself tailor-made for Summer. The latter, however, complete with tone-heavy guitar chords and melancholic vocal delivery, showcases the more sentimental and reflective side of the SECHSKIES member. It’s of a different ilk to what fans may expect, but is a captivating change of pace, and one that is welcome on an album full of varying stylistic choices.

Elsewhere on the record, “Get Ready” showcases a Summery trap feel, and refreshingly refined vocals. There isn’t a trace of the old school hip-hop sounds fans may be used to here, but everything still works immensely well, thanks to the tight production, and the easily accessible sound. It’s a feel-good anthem, and one that will no doubt go down as a favourite for many.

“Tipsy,” with its sensual guitar melody and simple drum beats, feels a lot more like a head-over-heels love song. The strong chorus drives a lot of the quality, and once again shows Jiwon’s confidence to sing without the use of heavy processing, something that was definitely absent from 2009s Platonic.

Penultimate offering “Hate,” penned about insecurity, and a track that starts with the repetitive cry of “I hate myself,” is a poignant number, and an introspective work of genius. The emotion-filled pre-chorus helps with the track’s visceral, eye-opening look into the psyche of a star; and lyrically, this song stands out as one of the finest on the album.

And, to finish comes “Same.” It’s an up-tempo track full of energy, with the handclaps and synths adding pace and valence, and the danceable chorus allowing for a carefree element to be thrown into the mix. Complex in its simplicity, this is the perfect way to finish the record with finesse, and a sense of style that is impossible to hand-wave. There mightn’t be much on the second half of the release that strikes long-term fans as recognisable from a sonic perspective, but that allows for the music to feel fresh and current, proving that age and experience doesn’t mean settling for old tricks.

In conclusion, this album is a fine exploration into new sounds and styles for Eun Jiwon, all without compromising the comfortable, more easily associated techniques the artist has used in the past. There’s a fierce blend of old and new hip-hop, and it allows for a greater, bolder, more triumphant pay-off. It’s a release that keeps the listener alert at all times, has numerous soundscapes, topics, and other elements to dive into, and from first minute to last shows an unmatched sense of quality.

It’s impossible to say whether the 42 year old has hit a new peak given there’s no guarantee he can’t still improve, but it’s certain that the SECHSKIES leader has found a new groove, and has hit a completely different, but still quality-filled stride.

Album Rating—9.5/10