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Sign (from Don’t Mess Up My Tempo / Love Shot – 2018)

Pounding forward on jolts of dubstep distortion, Sign is as pure a distillation of EXO’s core sound as you’re likely to find. It’s a percussive beast, formed by an industrial instrumental that would be cold and unapproachable if not for the group’s compelling vocals. I love the spoken-word hook that concludes the chorus, and the wisps of layered harmony that pepper the verses. Ultimately, Sign’s melody isn’t quite ear-catching enough to compete with EXO’s very best work, but it’s a rock-solid album track that plays to all of the group’s strengths.

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