K-Pop A-Z

K-Pop A-Z Review: EXO – Been Through

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Been Through (from Universe – 2017)

Taken from the group’s third winter album, Been Through doesn’t share much connective tissue with the season other than its subdued nature. Its verses have a fitful structure — trap-adjacent without fully embracing the genre. This is to the song’s benefit, because its strongest moments are when it opens up to focus on the quietly expansive melody at its core. Those trap hi-hats nearly ruin the sentiment, but a dramatic post-chorus vocal breakdown helps right the ship. Been Through would have worked better as a full-on rock ballad — guitars and all — but it has enough melodic highlights to make it a minor standout.

 Hooks 8
 Production 7
 Longevity 8
 Bias 8
 RATING 7.75

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