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
NO MAKEUP
I’m a big fan of LDN Noise‘s work for SM artists, but No Makeup is the rare miss. Sound-wise, it fits within the warm, mid-tempo R&B vibe most of Exist caters to, but it’s another song that’s high on style and low on memorable melody. Yes, we know EXO sound amazing on these kind of tracks, but there are a so many others in their discography I’d rather play.
What really makes No Makeup sink is its lyrical conceit. “I love you with no makeup on” is such an overused trope that it might as well be meaningless at this point. It feels even more trite coming from the K-pop idol machine, which is all about makeup and visual. There’s nothing wrong with that, but the mismatch makes it difficult to suspend disbelief.
On the plus side, the song gets bonus points for its satisfying vocal arrangement.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
It’s funny. Although I agree that some of the previous tracks are more instrumentally packed, I think they largely miss on the grooves or melodies that those genres ask for and thus, for me, the only salvageable songs on this project are Hear Me Out, No Makeup, Love Fool and Let Me In.
I can see how they might be seen as the more boring and safe songs but at least they deliver on the grooves and melodies that mark similar songs or genres.
All in all, Hear Me Out is probably my favorite of the bunch but it’s a surprisingly weak project from EXO.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This album sounds all like songs that you’d hear on a mid 2000’s R&B station. This one I really like. This one I would give an 8.5.
LikeLike
The instrumental is pretty scant on this one yet again, but this is the only song on the album (including the pre-releases) that didn’t either contain a part that I disliked or jar me at all on a first listen. It goes down super smooth, and I always appreciate that, and I do enjoy the melody. That in combination with their ever gorgeous delivery makes this my favorite of the songs that weren’t pre-released, but I still don’t have it on a playlist yet. R&B has just never been one of my favorite genres, though Kpop (and EXO in particular) has gotten me into it more than I ever was before I started listening.
LikeLike