EXO is finally back with their seventh album EXIST and the title track “Cream Soda.” It's been a long time coming for the group’s return, and despite the recent shakeup with contract negotiations with members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (who make up the subunit EXO-CBX), this comeback absolutely did not disappoint. Despite their release of “Don’t Fight the Feeling” back in 2021, their last full album was back in 2019 with OBSESSION, so fans have definitely been waiting for another great album from the group.

One thing EXO does so well is stick to their roots of dominating their vocals and not following the trends of many other comebacks, especially noticeable in the fourth generation. The group doesn’t need to be loud and follow the “noise music” trend for fans to love their releases. “Cream Soda” follows a smoother vibe featuring nice brassy accents that are subtle but bring a nice addition to the instrumental. The lyrics compare the feeling of falling in love to the taste of a cream soda. The vocals absolutely shine throughout the song, especially by Chen and Baekhyun. This release goes to show that even as an 11 year old group, EXO is still dominant and aren’t afraid to show off what they can do with ease.

The music video shows off the classy side of the group as they’re dressed in suits and are ready for a dinner party. It also utilizes mood lighting to fit the concept of the sensual vibes. Although Kai is not shown in the video due to him serving his military enlistment, the group still acknowledged him with a name card at the table. Kai was at least able to record vocals before leaving for his enlistment however, and also had his own concept photos. The choreography also showcases the vibe of the song well - many of the choreo shots being against a neutral backdrop. The guys don’t need a flashy stage to show how well they dance either.

EXIST has nine songs including the title track - many fans already knew “Let Me In” and “Hear Me Out” beforehand since they were pre-released tracks leading up to the album itself. Other tracks include “Regret It,” “Private Party,” “Cinderella,” “No Makeup,” “Love Fool,” and “Another Day.”

Watch the music video for “Cream Soda” here!

Edited by Cara Musashi