The Struggles of K-pop

Album Review: Exodus

I've been wanting to start a segment on this book where I review albums, I just needed a comeback ( I thought of this 2 weeks ago). Well might as well start with my bias group. I'll be saying what I think of each song and I'll also comment on the m/v of Call Me Baby.

1. Call Me Baby

Ok, I can see why people are disappointed in this song, I was too at first. Compared to Mama, History, Growl, or Overdose, it's very mellow and isn't a powerful song. Then I realized it really doesn't need to be, I actually don't want it to be. We needed something fun and upbeat, not Exo scowling and banging against walls. The song definitely gives me a 90s vibe, like N'sync, but it also has a modern sound to it so it still sounds like it's from right now not the 90s. I love this song, the choreo is amazing. And people are upset that it was a Box Set, but I honestly have to say I wasn't. Because under the Exo playlist on Sm page there are still 2 private videos. I'm guessing it's a repackage and another title song. People are guessing El Dorado, but I want Transformers. Also, LONG LIVE THY POODLE HAIR.

2. Transformers

Holy fuck, I say we start a petition for this to be the theme song for the new Transformers coming out. Like, you can't not body roll to this. Chanyeol and Tao definitely stood out in this song for me. The beginning sounds so badass, the verses sound badass, then you have the bridge which is awesome, and then the chorus where we go back to badass. Just yes bitch.

3. What If

Hmm, this is the one song where I just find it ok. I'm just not feeling it. I don't know, it just...I feel like I've heard it before, it kind of bores me. It may be the best song on the album and on Earth and I'm just a fucking moron and imbecile, but this is my least favorite song on the album.

4. My Answer

Oh my God, this song. I love how it's just a piano and vocals, but is still a really powerful song. Ok, Chen is my favorite voice, but Baekhyun on this song...damn boy you give me heart palpitations with your voice. His voice just fits with the song, it's amazing. Gives you chills. I always liked Chen and Kyungsoo's voice more, but this is Baekhyun's song, no bitch is stealing his spotlight.

5. Exodus

I don't know how to explain to explain this song, one of my favorites. That chorus though. And that bridge, and Kyungsoo's and Jongdae's high note, damn. It sounds kind of jazzy. I love the composition, I hear piano, I'm pretty sure I heard trumpets, it's like modern and old school just shoved together. I love how they are doing that, doing throwbacks to different times but still keeping it modern. Love this song.

6. El Dorado

This was definitely the one fans wanted the most from the debut teasers. I did too honestly. And I like how it came out. I like how the verse starts soft and quiet and builds up to the chorus and it's amazing. Definitely a powerful song, It's not my personal favorite but I do like it a lot and I can see how it is a lot of people's favorite song on the album.

7. Playboy

Probably the most different song on here. It's very smooth and has a R&B/Jazz feel. A lot of falsettos instead of big power notes. I like this song, it's very mellow, it's been pretty popular. I don't have a lot to say about this song, just that I like it, lol.

8. Hurt

Probably my favorite song on this album. Can we just talk about the composition for a second? It is flipping amazing. It's so different, it sounds like a bunch of random sounds but it all works together to sound awesome. And the you hurt me part gives me chills every time. And then you got that breakdown and the bridge which is great. When the repackage comes, I want this song to be the title song. Or Exodus, one of the two.

9. Lady Luck

I like this song, it's...how do I describe this song? Ok, so the beginning is all right, and I'm just thinking " not bad". Then this random breakdown comes and Chen is suddenly doing a high note and the chorus coming in full force and the song just got better from then. Good song.

10. Beautiful

I kid you not, I screamed in joy when I saw this on the album. I was excited for El Dorado, but I've always wanted Beautiful. The composition is just so...well, beautiful. I fell in love with that sample. And I fell in love with this song. Especially the Chinese version, it's good on the Korean version, but this song in Chinese is just perfect. Definitely a favorite of mine.

Conclusion? I love 9 out of the 10 songs, and who knows What If might grow on me. I really tried to be critical to not look like a biased fuck but the album really is good. I didn't even like this many songs on XOXO, Let Out the Beast and Wolf I didn't really like, and I think one other song I didn't like but I can't remember it.

This is probably my favorite album from Exo yet. I swore that Growl would forever be my favorite song, but like 6 songs out of the 10 Im considering of replacing Growl. It's not every day albums like this come out. This year has been REALLY good. With Jonghyun, Amber, Gain, Niel, Vixx, Eric Nam, Junsu, 4Minute, loved all of their comebacks, and many more. Maybe it's just me, but KPop is starting to get back to its greatness from 2009-2012. 2013 and 2014 were not good years for KPop. I think 2015 is getting us out of this funk.

So for my scores:

Call Me Baby: 9/10
Transformers: 10/10
What If: 6/10
My Answer: 10/10
Exodus: 10/10
El Dorado: 9/10
Playboy: 7/10
Lady Luck: 8/10
Hurt: 10/10
Beautiful: 10/10

I'm ranking each song out of 10. And if you want, I can continue this, you can request albums and comebacks for me to listen to. Hopefully I can get better at this. So tell me what you think of the songs, and if you agree with me whole heartedly, or if you disagree with me. Bye guys.