WATCH: EXO LAUNCHES COMEBACK WITH 'LUCKY ONE' AND MONSTER,' FEATURES EXPLODING HEADS
After the year long wait, EXO is back with their third studio album - EX'ACT, with double title tracks Monster and Lucky. But is it the EXO we so dearly remember?
Whenever a band deviates from its normal sound, the outcomes are always divisive. If you're a fan of Love Me Right, you’ll dig Lucky One. But, if like me, you prefer EXO's slightly darker sound, Monster was made for you.
Lucky One has so much potential and incorporates many great artistic elements, but they were brought together in the most boring, basic way possible.
The jazzy, syncopated rhythm, and the vocal and instrumental quirks thrown in attempted (unsuccessfully) to keep the track from sounding repetitive. The synth and bass tones in the backing track added a little colour and definition, however its simplicity should have been made up for by a stunning vocal performance. Sadly, EXO didn’t deliver on this front either.
We caught snippets of EXO’s incredible vocal range, colourful dynamics and their ability to create a textured vocal production. However, this wasn’t showcased nearly as much as it should have been. What I did enjoy, though, were the beautifully layered and well harmonised vocals in the hook. This was the track’s only saving grace.
Visually, Lucky One has a very clinical look to it, and the opening scenes were slightly dizzying. Overall, the video was fairly well shot, however, there were just too many random elements to it for me to follow a coherent plot line.
If you thought that the song was about a man, who may or may not have been on some sort of hallucinogen(s), attempting to escape a mental asylum, then you're wrong. For those of you that didn't pick it from the lyrics, Lucky One is actually about a man searching for his destined lover. Go figure!
Monster has less of a story than Lucky one BUT with less going on, we could focus on what matters most: the boys. The gangster look they had going on was super sexy and suited their dancing perfectly. Their choreography was visually stunning, dynamic and creative. I’m so glad EXO brought back with what I loved about them best.
On top of this, the faded colours and bright neon lights suited the tone of the song really well, making this a simply beautiful production overall.
As for the song itself, I found myself jamming out to this in no time at all! Its super catchy verses, intense chorus and pulsing beat will win anyone over. Monster sounds just like the EXO we know and love, but even better!
Overall, I’m quite upset that EXO’s talent and creativity didn't shine in Lucky One when it really had the potential to, but they did bring us an awesome dance track with Monster, so I'll forgive them. I'm really hoping the rest of the album is more Monster than Lucky One.
