Eric Nam teases ‘relatable Gen Z album’ to Pinoy fans

SINGER-songwriter Eric Nam thrilled his Filipino fans with a free fan meet on Saturday, and he thanked them for the warm smiles and welcome they gave him, describing these like a “big hug.”

“There’s something so magical about my Filipino fans here that really makes me feel so warm inside, like a big hug,” he told Nam Nation members at the Activity Center of Market! Market!. 

As a treat for them, he shared with them a live snippet of his song Don’t Leave Yet, which will be part of his forthcoming album, titled House on a Hill.

It will come out on September 8, and the Korean-American artist described this as the “most ambitious album” of his life that deserves a tour with his fans across the globe.

In an interview after the show, Nam told republicasia that fans can expect to see a “very thoughtful, existential crisis Eric Nam” in this new album.

“I think it’s just taking the many questions we ask ourselves as humans on a daily basis and putting them into song form,” he said.

“Somebody describes me as the most relatable Gen Z album and I was like, ‘Oh, I never thought of that one,’” he added.

While the whole album is something that fans should really look forward to, Nam also said that he’s particularly excited for them to listen to Don’t Leave Yet and Only For A Moment.

“It is a very pop-forward kind of dance song and the visuals on it are very, very beautifully done. And it’s just really a fun one, so I think when people hear [it], they’re gonna get really hooked,” he said of the song Don’t Leave Yet.

Only For A Moment, on the other hand, is a song that he collaborated on with British duo HONNE, whom Nam is a fan of.

“I’m excited for people to also hear what that collaboration will sound like,” he said.

A very Filipino welcome

Nam’s free fan meet came nine months after his last solo concert in the country. 

Loud cheers erupted at the Market! Market! as Nam took the stage, and the screaming grew louder as he greeted his fans with “Hi, Manila! What’s up?”

As a multifaceted entertainer, Nam is not only a singer-songwriter, but also a host of music talk shows and a podcast where he has interviewed a lot of K-pop idols. 

But during his fan meet, it was his turn to be asked questions. 

Host Denise Laurel asked questions to get to know more about Nam, and one of these was what was his favorite song. 

Nam answered that the song that’s currently on loop in his playlist is his latest single, House on a Hill, which was released in June.  

He added that his forthcoming song, Don’t Leave Yet, might be his other favorite. 

He also blessed Nam Nation with his immaculate vocals when he serenaded the excited crowd with his songs Runaway, Don’t Let This Love Die Young, I Don’t Know You Anymore, Perhaps Love, and Honestly.

Like other K-pop idols and actors who visited the country, he did not escape the “Tagalog challenge” where he had to say some Filipino words. These included phrases such as “Eh ‘di wow,” “Sana all,” and today’s favorite and viral line “Bakit 🤸‍♀️ malungkot 🤸‍♀️ ang 🤸‍♀️ beshie 🤸‍♀️ ko?”

The fan meet concluded with group photos of Nam together with his Filipino fans on stage to mark such a special moment in their lives.

He also assured them that even though he doesn’t come to Manila very often, he still reads his fans’ comments and messages in social media.

“I truly, truly appreciate it and I look forward to coming back very often to work on a bunch of projects, hopefully. A lot of the music that I made, it’s for you guys and I hope you all enjoy,” he said.

“As long as you listen, I’ll be here to make music,” he added.

What fans anticipate

Nam’s fans said they are thrilled about the forthcoming release of the House on a Hill album. 

“I’m really proud of Eric Nam because nung nasabi niya po na pinaka-ambitious na album na po niya [ito], I think sobrang deserve,” 23-year-old Nam Nation Kyla Cariño told republicasia.

“Deserve na deserve po talaga dahil not only [does] he get to meet his fans, he also gets to explore his talent po and that’s what matter[s] most to us fans,” she continued.

Gabe Dela Cruz, 20, said she could not wait to hear more new songs from the singer-songwriter.

“Definitely songs kasi I follow him because of his songs as well. What more can I ask [from] Eric, kasi every single time na nagco-comeback siya, every time he releases an album, he gives everything,” Dela Cruz said.

She would certainly support and purchase the House on a Hill album, she added. 

Nam’s House on a Hill world tour will kick off in North America in September. The tour will also include countries in Southeast Asia next year.