날 안다고? (I don’t think so)
As always, I would like to start this post with several carrds that contain very important information about the injustices happening right now and resources to help:
- https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ has a lot of information and resources for different countries. It also has info on Palestine, the Junk Terror Bill, Hong Kong and the Yemen Crisis.
- https://moreblminfo.carrd.co/ is also a great resource.
- https://abolish-ice.carrd.co/ – There are still children and adults in cages in America. The same kind of thing is happening in China to the Uighur Muslims. It’s truly horrifying.
- Google and Twitter are free tools to a plethora of knowledge.
OBSESSION is EXO’s 6th full length album and so happens to be the first time they’ve promoted as 6 members (Xiumin and Kyungsoo are doing their military service, while Lay is promoting as a solo artist only in China). It was released on 27th November 2019 and has 11 songs.
Tracklist:
- Obsession
- Trouble
- Jekyll (지킬)
- Groove (춤)
- Ya Ya Ya
- Baby You Are
- Non Stop
- Day After Day (오늘도)
- Butterfly Effect (나비효과)
- Obsession (嗜)
I’m currently doing a second round of Kpop ReadAThon. Like the Monsta X prompts, EXO’s are also named after songs from the groups latest studio album.
The title of each song will take you to the official audio on EXO’s Youtube channel~
(I would like to remind everyone that I don’t know music terminology and these are all just my opinions – obviously.)
9. Butterfly Effect (나비효과)
- Lyrics by Lee Seu Ran
An angel blowing into me like the wind
Color Coded Lyrics
The warmth I gain from you changes me
I’m not afraid anymore, because you’re by my side
Because you won’t let go of my hand
This is quite a pretty song, lyrically. However, I was just not that impressed. I don’t have much of an opinion. Some parts were off. However, I did like the chorus.
8. Ya Ya Ya
- Lyrics by Kenzie
I think you need me
No matter who you’re with,
Just think of me
Zaty Farhani Colour Coded Lyric Video
This song is pretty upbeat and more of an interesting new side to EXO. I will say I’m not the biggest fan… certain aspects of the volume and unfocused-nees (?) of some vocals was distracting.
I liked Chanyeol and Sehun’s rap parts. And that was pretty much it. Also, the lyrics… they’re a bit questionable 😅
7. Day After Day (오늘도)
- Lyrics by Jo Yoon Kyung
Leaving the door open so you can come back any time
Color Coded Lyrics
I wait for you to fill this room
This is a very emotional song, both lyrically and vocally. Each member sounds great in Day After Day. However, the adlib type effect and overlaying can be a bit much. I did spend quite a bit of the song distracted by all the voices singing over the top.
6. Trouble
- Lyrics by Hwang Yoo Bin
Day and night are reversed
Color Coded Lyrics
My centre’s going to collapse because of you
When I look you in the eyes
Trouble has such a nice lead up to the chorus and every time I was expecting the beat to drop and the chorus to be impactful to the song… but it wasn’t. At all. The beat is interesting, it’s reggae and somewhat electronic (?). I felt that the rap was a little misplaced or maybe done in a style/tempo that didn’t fit with the music.
Chen and Baekhyun’s vocal are stunning in this song and they definitely carry the entire thing!
5. Jekyll (지킬)
- Lyrics by JQ, Kim Hye Ji and Choi Seo Eun (all from Makeumine Works*)
I shut you down, there is no place for you
lunarkjd (Twitter)
Even if I block my ears, I can still hear your endless whispers
You’re making me go insane, from inside me
It feels like a dream (Wake Up)
Suho is my favourite vocalist in Jekyll.
However, I will admit that it took a few listens for me to actually like it. To start with the song felt lacklustre. Considering the lyrics are about battling with an inner demon, I was expecting the song to be stronger, aggressive y’know? I only started to get on board with the style of Jekyll near the end so it’s definitely one of those songs that benefit from more listens!
4. Baby You Are
- Lyrics by JQ and Park Ji Hee (both from Makeumine Works)
You are the sole person
Color Coded Lyrics
I’ve been searching for, yeah you are
I think I’ll go crazy thinking of you
Throughout the entire day
Baby you are
Starting Baby You Are with Suho and then easing easily into Chen and than Baekhyun was really pretty and immediately captivates you.
The harmonies for the chorus are pretty, although on a whole, the chorus does lower the pace and tone a bit. Without it, or with a different chorus, Baby You Are would have been a stronger song. I also felt that the last half was weaker than the first.
3. Groove (춤)
- Lyrics by JQ and Mola (both from Makeumine Works)
The sunlight that
lunarkjd (Twitter)
Drowsily crumbles away into silver
That sun that envied the feelings we shared
Its light dazzles our eyes
Your soft breaths
Make me dance
Will you hold only me in your clear gaze?
Tell me you’ll stay, always beside me
This is a really smooth song that screams “easy listening”. I enjoyed everyone’s vocals, especially Suho and the back and forth sections between Sehun and Chanyeol (it’s obvious why they have a subunit now ♥).
Groove is catchy and the lyrics aren’t too bad either – some sections are very pretty~
2. Non Stop
- Lyrics by Jo Yoon Kyung
Should we go follow the stars, follow the stars
Vivi at hallyuplus.net
Beyond the world that meets the picturesque sky
Somewhere, somewhere, into your excited heart
I feel like I’m running, I wanna give you baby
Non Stop is so upbeat and fun. It’s youthful sounding and it matches the lyrics of a cute and unstoppable love between a couple.
This is probably the most fun and cheerful song to listen to on the album and it’s a style that fits the members vocals ♥ Sexy and cool is a style EXO live and breathe, but these dummies can do cute and fun just as well!
1. Obsession/ Obsession (嗜)
- Lyrics by Kenzie/Arys Chien
Thousand nights, I repeated so many times
Official English Lyrics Video
A vicious cycle of nightmares I’ll end it now
The turned-off exit light
Get away from me now
I listened to Obsession for my Debut vs. Now post. My first thought was this song is sexy, but annoying. The vocal are honestly stunning – with Baekhyun being a standout! There are robotic elements and the “I don’t think so’s” were grating, however, after many listens I really love this song!!
Obsession is fun to sing along to and it’s the best song on this album by far! I will say I still prefer the Korean over the Chinese version. There is just something about that version that doesn’t sound right to me.
Also the visuals in the music video are next level 💯😂
Overall, this is a pretty disappointing album for me. However, as a fan of SHINee, I’m no newbie when it comes to my faves experimenting with new and all sounds and it’s great to see groups try new things otherwise they can never really grow.
Although, the packaging is amazing and the album is definitely worth having it if you’re an EXO-L! I love flicking through the photobooks and staring at the Suho holographic thingy (ever the eloquent Brit 😂)!
Do you agree with my ranking? What’s your favourite song from this album?
Thanks for reading! I hope you’re having a lovely day and staying safe ♥
*This falls under SM Town
DramaRambles 🌸 
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