EXO Electrifies With OBSESSION
EXO has returned once more to the K-Pop scene, this time with their sixth full length album, OBSESSION. This particular album comes with a few changes in the lineup of members, with D.O and Xiumin currently serving their mandatory military service and Lay currently active with his own solo projects in China. For this comeback, the EXO lineup consists of: Suho, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Chen, Kai and Sehun. Reaching back into the depths of their darker concepts, EXO returns by facing off with their evil and sinister halves. To go with the good versus bad concept, the album has a colorful range of songs that are worthy of putting this album on repeat for a long time.
Tracklist:
Title: Obsession
Trouble
Jekyll
Groove
Ya Ya Ya
Baby You Are
Non Stop
Day After Day
Butterfly Effect
Obsession (Chinese Version)
EXO vs. X-EXO
As previously mentioned, EXO’s latest comeback is centered around them facing off and dealing with their evil doppelgangers, known as “X-EXO”. Think of this as EXO meeting the anti-versions of themselves. Not forgetting their original roots from when they debuted as a group, EXO once again incorporates their superpower fantasy theme with their music video, giving fans more lore into their concept and style. Prior to the release of the album, social media accounts gave a sneak peak with X-EXO’s photo teasers. Based on the teasers and photos that were released, many fans braced themselves for another comeback similar to their “Monster” release; just as dark and sinister with a hip-hop/R&B flair.
Their title track, which is also the name of their album, “Obsession” is a song that focuses on wanting to get away from the nightmares, the negativity and the person (or people) who are causing such pain and distress. Diving deeper into the lyrics, EXO tells of wanting these negative people to get lost and go away and that they are no longer playing around with being taken advantage. “Obsession” hits deep and unapologetic with its sharp lyrics. They’ve had enough with toxic obsession and they are more than ready to bring it to an end.
Produced by Dem Joints, “Obsession” is a song thick with bass, hip-hop and R&B, that is so smooth yet hard-hitting at the same time. True to K-Pop and EXO fashion, “Obsession” will literally have fans obsessed with this song, thanks to its addictive beat and sound. The music video is surely a whirlwind of visuals that showcases the EXO members facing off in different battles against X-EXO with their corresponding superpowers. As X-EXO members continue to haunt and pursue the EXO members, they are the personification of obsession and nightmares that the EXO members want to free themselves from. However, X-EXO throughout the music video shows that they are evenly matched against them and a force not to be taken lightly. There is a double-meaning to this as well as X-EXO can be seen as the inner thoughts of one person who is going through internal conflict of trying to figure out who they truly are and are fighting through dark moments that life tends to throw at people.
The clash between pairs is a visual masterpiece in itself, showcasing how the production of EXO’s music videos has always been top notch and thoughtfully designed. The fashion in video is much more grunge and goth, with bits of street-wear sprinkled here and there. While the EXO members are showcased in different black outfits, it’s X-EXO who stand out with bold statement pieces (i.e, reds, yellows and blues) showing that they are the main focus of the music video. The MV definitely amplifies the song, taking it to a whole new level that is spine-chilling and fantastic from beginning to end. The music video does showcase bits of the choreography for “Obsession,” but it seems that fans will have to wait patiently for a dedicated practice or performance video to see the full dance routine. Nonetheless, EXO has brought another visually stunning music video to their long list of releases that are always a pleasure to view.
The Album
It’s known that EXO is not afraid to experiment with different sounds and styles of music. Once again this particular album brings a variety of sounds that make it hard to pick out a favorite from the album. Despite the experimental sounds of the record, EXO does a great job of bringing a cohesive and dark album that is an experience in itself to listen from beginning to end. Ranging from R&B, hip-hop, pop and electro-funk, the album gives off a balance between darker and upbeat/light songs; perfectly blending in with their overall concept for the album. Whether it be the grunge and gritty songs like “Trouble” or “Jekyll” or the 80’s and 90’s pop/R&B songs like “Non Stop” and “Ya Ya Ya”, fans will be jamming along and finding a track that is perfect for them. The flow of the album starts off on a dark note but gradually progresses to a sound that is refreshing and warm. It’s as if the album starts off at night but slowly turns into day, adding to the fantasy of good versus evil; which tend to parallel the night and day theme.
As this group continuously grow and experiment over the years, EXO has become a chameleon in the K-Pop industry and proves that they can successfully tackle any concept and do it flawlessly. Despite the absent members from the group, the six remaining still manage to bring a solid album that is worth the listen. OBSESSION from beginning to end is a pleasant treat and can be considered one of the best albums to have been released this year.