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
LOVE FOOL
On an album that wasn’t so one-note throughout, Love Fool might a highlight. The groove has returned on this one, upping the tempo a bit. Its post-chorus breakdown has shades of Koko Bop, while the rest of the track feels well-suited to a backyard summer barbecue. The beat definitely has my head nodding, but I’m less enthused with the song itself.
We’ve established a pattern here, haven’t we? I would never call Exist “adult contemporary,” but its inability to take risks or push beyond pleasant makes it feel like one of the group’s least-exciting projects. And without unique musical or melodic flourishes, many of the tracks threaten to run together. Some listeners may love this consistency. It certainly makes for a satisfying vibe. But as a big comeback album after years away, I hoped for more than a vibe.
As nice as it is, Love Fool is emblematic of this pleasant — but underwhelming — approach.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
The post-chorus breakdown made me shout, “WHY!?” the first time I listened because I had really liked the song up to that point, and it was an unexpected complete shift in the color of the song. Now, knowing it’s there, it doesn’t bother me nearly as much, and I even maybe like it a little bit now, so this track has been the biggest grower on the album for me (aside from “Let Me In” which I decided wasn’t for me immediately but have since changed my mind about). I like the vibe that this one establishes, but as with most of the rest of this album the amount of like I have for it isn’t enough to land it a place on a playlist. Not yet anyway.
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