EXO boasts masculinity and charisma in new album
EXO members pose for a photo during a press conference to promote their new album “Don't Mess Up My Tempo” at COEX Artium in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
By Kwak Yeon-soo
After taking a 14-month hiatus, K-pop sensation EXO returned with their fifth full-length album “Don't Mess up My Tempo,” fronted by the track “Tempo” on Friday. The new album's theme is a supernatural power concept with “masculine vibes.”
“During the interval, we were all busy with individual activities. D.O. starred in tvN's drama series 100 Days My Prince; Chanyeol appeared on a reality show; Sehun filmed a web movie; EXO-CBX, comprised of Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin released a single; and I took roles in two musicals,” group leader Suho said during a press conference held at COEX Artium in Seoul, Thursday.
The new album consists of 11 tracks ranging from Latin, electro pop dance to R&B ballads. Overall the album gives a glimpse into each member's “supernatural power.” The nine have been present themselves as having the ability to control fire, ice, light and water among others.
“We all have our own supernatural power and each track represents each member's power,” Suho said.
The album's lead track “Tempo,” recorded in both Korean and Chinese, is a hip-hop dance song with an energetic bass line and rhythmical drum sounds. In music video, EXO adopted a cool biker concept.
“The funny thing about trying on a biker concept is that all the members don't have a motorcycle license,” Xiumin said. “But we tried to look like tough guys by putting on darker makeup and wearing leather jackets and ripped jeans. We also included a fist fight scene to show off our charisma.”
“The song's choreography will be the most stunning of all the dances EXO has performed so far. It'll be full of vigor and is fast paced,” Suho said
Alongside “Tempo,” “Damage” is also a hip-hop-influenced dance song fused with reggae rhythms.
“Sign” is of the electro pop genre featuring a bombastic groove and powerful bass. A man's suspicion grows like “fire,” the power controlled by Chanyeol. The third track “Ooh La La La” is a Latin pop song that features the supernatural ability of teleportation, which belongs to Kai.
The tracks “Gravity,” “24/7” and “Bad Dream” are electro pop with dynamic melody lines. The songs tell a story of a man's mixed feelings toward a past lover. “With You” and “Smile on My Face” are R&B tracks and “Oasis” is an urban pop track with a warm and soft melody. Chanyeol is credited with writing the lyrics for “Gravity” and “With You.”
With the new album, EXO has already renewed its own records, selling more than 1.1 million copies in preorders after its four studio albums _ XOXO, EXODUS, EX'ACT and THE WAR _ each sold over 1 million copies.
Their showcase for promoting their new album took place at 8 p.m., Friday in the port city of Incheon.
EXO, comprised of members Suho, D.O., Baekhyun, Sehun, Chanyeol, Lay, Xiumin, Chen and Kai, debuted in 2012 with their mini-album “MAMA.” The team quickly rose to stardom with the hit “Growl” in 2013. Their other hits include “Call Me Baby,” “Monster” and “Ko Ko Bop.”