EXO ‘Don’t Fight The Feeling’ review: a seamless change in to the next stage for the boyband’s journey

EXO ‘Don’t Fight The Feeling’ review: a seamless change in to the next stage for the boyband’s journey

The ever-popular K-pop act deliver summer time bops with this unique record that features EXO’s journey that is ever-changing

Plenty has happened into the 19 months since EXO last circulated a record. The group are living the full spectrum of life as grown men from enlisting into the South Korean military and starting families to joining other groups and embarking on successful solo activities. But, they truly are back again to remind individuals why they have been considered juggernauts in K-pop’s ever-growing industry.

Their brand new special album ‘Don’t Fight The Feeling’ commemorates EXO’s nine-year anniversary by having a seven-member comeback that marks the return of Xiumin and D.O. from their mandatory armed forces solution, along with Chinese user Lay, who had previously been for a hiatus from EXO tasks since 2016. The task additionally features Baekhyun and Chanyeol, both of who took part in the album’s recording before enlisting in March. Despite having been nearly 2 yrs since their last record ‘Obsession’, EXO show fans on ‘Don’t Fight The experiencing’ them special that they have not lost the je ne sais quoi that makes.

EXO. Credit: SM Entertainment

The project that is five-track a tale of love, readiness and also the capacity to adjust to alter, which will be a thing that EXO understand all too well. The group have had to adapt to a slew of lineup changes and quickly mature in the process over the course of their nine-year career. And even though certain Western news outlets will try to some genuinely believe that military enlistment is “the kiss of death” for a male group, EXO have proved so it’s feasible to effectively conform to the circumstances life tosses at both you and nevertheless make good music.

The task kicks off with name track ‘Don’t Fight the Feeling’, a groovy song that mixes pop, party, synth noises and even gospel chords on the pre-chorus. With words by SM Entertainment’s in-house author Kenzie (whom also co-wrote SHINee’s ‘Don’t Call Me’), the track is mostly about thinking in yourself and encourages the listener to appear towards the near future whenever up against hard choices in life.

Whilst the song lacks the attention-grabbing, hard-hitting elements that EXO have now been recognized to bring such as for instance in past games songs like ‘Monster’ and ‘Obsession’ – however in the chronilogical age of COVID-19, perhaps individuals simply want to feel well. The uplifting vibe and catchy retro dance beats of ‘Don’t Fight The Feeling’ serve to complete exactly that and would certainly perhaps perhaps not feel out of put on a summer time playlist with this year’s well tracks.

Within the next two tracks, ‘Paradise’ and ‘No thing,’ EXO look into various issues with R&B while keeping a flow that is consistent of listening. On ‘Paradise’, the boyband exude the peaceful of self- self- confidence of males whom aren’t afraid to pursue anyone they really want while harmonising to noises of brand new jack move: “I would like to get near to you, babe / Hands up on the sides / Damn girl, I was got by yo / You’re the only person to produce me take action such as this.”

EXO additionally get only a little adventurous and just simply just take audience for a throwback journey with ‘No situation.’ Authored by Search Engine Optimization Ji-eum, whom formerly caused EXO on ‘Wait’ from 2018’s ‘Love Shot’, the track leans hefty into ’90s R&B, coupled with soft piano when you look at the back ground, and comes down as a mix that is nostalgic TLC’s classic 1991 solitary ‘Baby-Baby-Baby’ and also the 1998 hit ‘Love similar to this’ by Faith Evans.

The team deviate from R&B and slow things down with ‘Runaway’, a moody, soft stone track that combines piano and a tough bass-line, and discusses escaping the hardships of life. The record album concludes with ‘Just As Usual’, an uptempo R&B jam that has a mellow, soft beat that well mixes piano with a guitar. The track departs the listener experiencing somewhat emotional and hungry for EXO to return with all eventually its people.

The feeling’ might not contain a standout ballad that shows off the full range of EXO’s vocal ability – such as ‘Baby Don’t Cry’ from ‘XOXO’ and ‘Stronger’ from ‘EX’ACT’ – this special new album serves as a reminder of how EXO have earned their spot in the music industry while‘Don’t Fight. Despite their ever-changing lineup of active people and an unprecedented year-and-a-half-long hiatus, EXO continue to be right right here whilst still being impacting the K-pop globe along with their inescapably catchy hits.