Get Cozy with Expectation from EXO’s D.O.
After two years, EXO’s tiny but mighty powerhouse vocal D.O. is back with his second mini-album, Expectation. It’s great to see him back with another solo release as D.O. is a force and will move you in such a way that there are simply not enough words to tout how great of a vocalist he is. This latest album from D.O. is fitting for the fall season and it’ll make you want to cozy up with some hot drink, get lost in his soothing voice, and welcome the cooler temperature.
Tracklist:
“Somebody”
“Wonder”
“I Do”
“Lost”
“Ordinary Days”
“The View”
“Lost - Acoustic Version”
”Somebody” To Love
Like his solo debut with “Rose,” “Somebody” is endearing and explores the wonder of love and wanting to have that special person. I think most can relate to wanting to have some sort of companionship and “Somebody” is just that song. Exploring the feeling of wanting to be with someone despite being scared of love. The song expresses that even if it may take a long time, or if it’s hot and passionate, D.O. wants someone to love too. It doesn’t need to be super complex, rather a simple yet happy kind of love would be enough. Together they’ll work it out and just take them for who they are. D.O. recognizes that he’s not the perfect lover and he will make mistakes but he too wants someone who will still understand him despite it all.
The music video is so cute and just perfectly in D.O.’s style. As he is known for his superb acting abilities, it was a toss up of how this music video would go (note: prior to the release, I have avoided any and all teasers and spoilers of the album and music video). What makes this music video endearing is that it combines two things that he is well known for – acting and music. The music video portrays him as someone who is part of a film crew and is assisting in filming for a drink commercial (conveniently the drink is called “Somebody”) with who we can assume is an up-and-coming actress/idol as the main brand ambassador for the drink. Somehow despite things not going well for the actress, there were small and simple moments between her and D.O. that you can see the flicker of the sweet beginnings of love between the two of them. It’s hard to tell if D.O. is daydreaming of the relationship between him and the actress, but there is something unspoken that blooms in both their hearts and maybe, just maybe, this could be something worthwhile when it comes to love.
As someone who thoroughly enjoyed his solo debut album, I’m not surprised that D.O. continued to go the acoustic and ballad route. This album offers up a comfortable and cozy vibe to it, that you could easily get lost in the waves of his voice. There is something that is so effortlessly warm in his voice that fans so much adore and can’t help but get enough of. Expectation is a definite staple to listen to when you just need to get away from everyday life and chill out just for a moment. While there are tracks on this album that are a bit more somber and sad, the way D.O. croons just makes you feel some type of way that will tug at your heartstrings. Overall, another great release from D.O. ; I truly hope it doesn’t take him that long again to release another solo piece of work.