EXO are one of my “K-pop A-Z” artists, and that means I’ve committed to write about anything they release in perpetuity. So, here are my thoughts about every track from their new Exist album!
1. Cream Soda // 2. Regret It // 3. Hear Me Out // 4. Private Party // 5. Cinderella // 6. No Makeup // 7. Love Fool // 8. Another Day // 9. Let Me In
PRIVATE PARTY
This is probably the album’s energetic high point. The groove shifts between 90’s and early-00’s inspirations, including what sounds like UK garage during the chorus. I could do without the bed squeaks and whistling, but overall the rhythm is tight and lively. There are some especially nice flourishes during the track’s second half. You can tell a great deal of care was put into the production.
Unfortunately, the melodies let Private Party down. The song doesn’t really go anywhere, choosing instead to cycle around one or two central hooks with slight variation. This leaves room for EXO’s vocal blend to shine, and they deliver a few genuinely compelling moments. But like much of the album, Private Party feels a little underdeveloped and unfocused. It’s a great vibe, but we already have many of those on Exist.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
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Just wow just lovee for exo
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can’t decide if i love or hate that thing baek is doing at 0:30-40 lmao
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I also couldn’t find much to really grab on to in the melody. I like the pre-chorus a decent bit, the bridge is gorgeous vocally, and the beat is nice and catchy. But the bass is a bit distorted.
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*Pressed “submit” too soon. The bass is a bit distorted, and it bothers me. That along with the lack of melody brings this one down for me.
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*Pressed “submit” too soon. And the distorted bass bothers me. That along with the lack of melody knocks this one down a bit for me.
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Oops. Sorry about that!
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This was the track that made the album for me. It also might be that the track hits my 90s/00s R&B nostalgia in the same way YaYaYa did. Along with the interpolation of Lloyd’s Get It Shawty throughout, lyrically this song is a distant cousin, if not, a younger brother. To play defense, GIS was also rather sparse in terms of melody but it still had a knock that launched many a millennial dance/party. Fun for fun’s sake.
The bed squeaks don’t bother me per se given the overall theme of the album, but I’d chalk the inclusion up to NJ/Bmore Club being one of several genres that have kpop/global pop in a choke hold rn.
I’m noticing that I’m having a connection to this album that I thought I was going to have with Shinee’s album. HARD was a hard sell for me until the later half and I haven’t really revisited it outside 3/4 songs. However, this album has been on repeat since it dropped.
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It kinda sounds mid 2000’s-y. Like from an Usher type like Omarion or Mario. Its perfectly fine. I’d give it like a 7.5-8. Something not bad but not something that’s going on my playlist.
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