Musicians often tap into the same kind of emotions and experiences that many can resonate with. How they respond to those common experiences, however, is what makes each musician unique. Music-wise, Epik High and Reality Club might not be on the same spectrum. Epik High is a pioneering hip-hop group who often experiments with other genres while Reality Club is an indie-rock band who is embraced by the young generation. Lyrically, they also differ from each other. Reality Club often discusses the theme of modern love while Epik High speaks up more about human beings itself, which includes their personal journey. Still, there is a similar approach they take when discussing heartbreaks.
While Epik High often talks about the aftermath of a heartbreak, Reality Club often pictures a heartbreak in the making. They compliment each other well, despite their contradictory genres. So, here are some songs from each respective group that you can check out.
Reality Club's "Elastic Heart" x Epik High's "Rain Song"
From the band's first album Never Get Better (2017), "Elastic Hearts" is perhaps as well-known as their title track "Is it the Answer?" According to Genius, "Elastic Hearts" depicts a mature way of dealing with heartbreak where those who are facing one somehow acknowledge that better days are coming. An upbeat pop rock tune with a summer twist, "Elastic Hearts" celebrates the acceptance that heartbreaks are inevitable despite the desire of wanting the other person to stay. It is within the chorus the band tries to give out a message how we all get down at times, but we always get back up again. "Elastic hearts/You bend but you don't break."
Meanwhile, "Rain Song" feels like questioning if we can ever truly get over a heartbreak. Wrapped in calming K-R&B beats, Epik High invites soloist Colde to serenade the listener with his soothing voice. Oftentimes, rain falls and we'd find ourselves reminiscing about our past lover, wallowing in the emotions we thought we're way past. But rather than burying it, Epik High are trying to let go of that pain by being vulnerable and confronting the feeling. "The weaker my heart gets/the stronger my tolerance becomes." Both Tablo and Mithra Jin realize there's no use in holding back the feeling of longing for someone who can't come back.
In the end, both "Elastic Hearts" and "Rain Song" are trying to offer comfort in their own way.
Reality Club's "Is It The Answer?" x Epik High's "Spoiler"
Again, delving into the topic of heartbreak in the making, this time Reality Club touches on the theme of forbidden love. Starting the song with a vibrant electric guitar strum, "Is it the Answer?" tells the reality that love isn't as simple as it seems.
"Love is the answer, so they say." Every great love story always teaches us how love is stronger than anything. As we grow older, we realize that love doesn't always win. Talking about forbidden love, it seems natural that separation will be the ending of the couple. But Reality Club asks whether it's really for the best, as Fathia bubbly sings the line, "I don't think this is how it's to end."
On the other hand, Epik High talks about seeing the signs of the end of a relationship in "Spoilers." Not about forbidden love per se, but both dwell on acknowledging the sinking relationship yet still holding onto a blind hope, wishing that things could take a turn. "Your distant stares and your words are spoilers/I see the end in every little thing you do/I try to ignore them, but I can feel these spoilers/Should I sit through it all?/Or should I leave now?/There might be a plot twist."
Reality Club's "2112" x Epik High's "Love Story"
"2112" may seem like an ode to young love at first listen but it also narrates the story of two people who fell in love and stayed together for years. Through one thing and another, they realized that they weren't meant to be together.
There are two spoken word interludes, one from the perspective of the girl followed by the boy's perspective later on in the song. Fathia describes their first encounter and how they finally embark on what they thought was an eternal romance. "We thrust our weary hearts into each other's arms/Content and comfortable/For years to come." As sweet as the story goes, they finally part ways, indicated from the spoken word interlude Faiz says that comes after the second chorus, "To hold back each other's true fate/Is not our nature/Let's be mature/Maybe you weren't made for me/Nor I for you."
Having a similar idea in mind, Epik High reminisces about how good the relationship was before it crashed and burned. From Mithra Jin's line, "From our first encounter that felt like necessary fate/To our last as we turned around, calling each other ill fate/We were each other's mirror reflections/Even until we broke apart from the looks we threw at each other," perhaps "Love Story" delivers a more stinging heartache and intense breakup version of "2112." The song finally concludes with Tablo surrendering to the doomed fate, "We were like magnets once/'Cuz only when one of us turned around/we grew apart."
Although they may deal with the theme of love differently, both Epik High and Reality Club are both astounding performers who will be ready to deliver their best performances and comfort the wounded souls. The good news is, if you're a fan of both, they will be headlining CXO Media Live on Stage on July 15th, 2023! Yes, you heard it right. They both will share the same stage at Beach City International Stadium, Ancol, next month—so make sure to book your tickets only at event.detik.com!
(HAI/alm)