Eric Nam Redefining Success with “House on a Hill”

With a fabricated and overly glamorized music industry in the states, Eric Nam questions and redefines the music industry and celebrity lifestyle with the release of his new album, “House on a Hill.”

In his 3rd full English album, Nam speaks on identity and redefining what success looks like, while searching for happiness and meaning in life.

Though he was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Nam entered the music industry in Korea shortly after attending Boston College in order to kick start his career. He would go on to release several songs and albums in South Korea, as well as MC-ing on various broadcast shows and interviewing many well-known artists and actors in both Korea and the States.

After brief contracts with two labels, he established his own title and is now an independent artist, reestablishing himself in the states. Without a company restricting his creative actions, he released his first album under the “Eric Nam Company” in 2022 and, nearly a year and a half later, “House on a Hill” on the 8th of September.

“House on a Hill” takes on different questions and perspectives about life and success with a total of 8 tracks.

Nam came up with the title when he came to think about his desire to purchase and own his own home, which led him to ponder how having material things or a sense of self will bring him more security and happiness.

The album opens with the title track, “House on a Hill,” in which Nam reflects on the idea of luxury and whether or not it corresponds to success and happiness.

Each lyric challenges the idea that luxury materials equate to success. The song ends with the lyrics, “When is more, and more, and more, and more enough?”, questioning how people are constantly wanting more and more because they think that what they are chasing after will bring them satisfaction, when in reality, this is not the case.

Within his own life, he sees and experiences how his friends will attend parties and events and will not want the night to end. He sensed that the root of this behavior was the fear of being lonely and returning to the harshness of reality. In “Don’t Leave Yet,” he takes on the perspective of a fun and upbeat dance song that conveys the idea of not wanting the night to end and embracing that regardless of your struggles, when everyone comes together, all your worries can fade away for that time.

“Only for a Moment” is a love song that describes falling in love with someone you just met. Because the album describes the different phases of life, “Only for a Moment,” is one the title tracks of the album.

From the album, listeners are able to immerse themselves in the different emotions felt throughout life, and “I Wish I Wasn’t Me,” embodies the feeling of overthinking and existentialism. In this slower ballad song, Nam explores that regardless of your status or success, you will inevitably experience the darker sides of life. He also explores the idea of loneliness and self-doubt in this song.

Nam explores the idea of loving someone from afar in “undefined.” He writes about how you may love someone but cannot approach that person for various reasons. Instrumentally, the song is similar to some of his more experimental songs he has released in the past.

“Sink or Swim” is about finding and experiencing the highs of genuine love. Of all the songs on the album, “Sink or Swim” is the most sonically different track he has produced.

With how busy each person is, sometimes we forget to live in the moment and be present. “Exist” is a song about self discovery, learning to live in the moment, and embracing all life’s different encounters.

The last track on the album is a remix of “House on a Hill” featuring Em Beihold.

“House on a Hill” is the second album Nam released as an independent artist and is structured to follow a journey through life and discovering what genuine happiness is. The album is significant for Nam as he had taken part in writing and composing each track. He also speaks of this album potentially being his last before he decides to settle down. 

Looking back on his career, Nam explained in his TIME100 Impact Awards acceptance speech that he took a risk in entering the entertainment industry after he had graduated college and secured a job. Moving to South Korea to establish his name and career was risky; however, it made the most logical sense to him as the minimal Asian representation in Western media made it seem impossible.

After working for years in Korea, Nam is finally returning to the states to build his career again and continues to show his versatility with each album release.