WAIT! CLICK HERE to listen to EXO's THE WAR while you read!
Okay so apologies for the all caps intro, but it was necessary, like the most necessary thing in the world. Also, *WARNING* this is going to be an EXTREMELY biased review, being as I'm an EXO-L, therefore there is absolutely no way I can write this unbiased.
So with all that out of the way, I'm honestly so so soooo excited to be reviewing EXO'S newest album THE WAR! EXO was due up for a comeback, since their last release was December 2016, and I'm like 100000% sure that this album is going to be the only album I listen to for the rest of the summer. The digital version of THE WAR, as well as the KO KO BOP music video was released on the July 18, at 6PM KST, and that was 2AM PST so I was asleep, but I did watch and listen AS SOON AS I woke up. I heard the first two songs and needed to take a break because I was just so shook beyond belief, but once I took a few breaths and starred at the ceiling for a solid ten minutes, I was able to continue on. I've been awake for like 4 hours and it's the only thing I've listened to all morning, so I definitely listened enough times to be able to write a comprehensive review for you. So my fellow EXO-Ls and not-EXO-Ls, let's get on with the review!
An Overview and Album Artwork
Like I mentioned above, the digital version of THE WAR came out this morning at 6PM KST/2AM PST. It features nine songs, including the title track, KO KO BOP. This album's style is majorly different from past EXO albums, like EXTREMELY different, but in the best way possible. THE WAR is definitely a summer album, because it's jam packed with upbeat, exciting songs. There are no ballads on this album, but there is one song that's more on the slower side, but not slow enough to be considered a ballad. As for the album artwork, the digital album features EXO's hexagonal logo made of bird's of paradise. The Korean version has a white background and the Chinese version has a black background. I personally LOVE their logo themes this comeback, because I love flowers, leaves, and that type of aesthetic, so it matches me well. The physical version of the album releases tomorrow (for me, today for you) July 19th. Of course I preordered my copy (hurray for 800,000 preordered albums!!!!) and I'll be writing about that once it is in my possession, but to give you a quick idea about it, there are three versions, Regular Ver. A, Regular Ver. B, and Private Ver. The Private version includes photos taken by the members and members' comments (I think??). I ordered the Private version, but more on that in a later post! The concept/teaser photos for this comeback were SO GOOD. I'll include them at the end of this post but oh my god I'm dead.
The Songs:
1. 전야 前夜 The Eve
The Eve really surprised me, I don't know why though lol. I think it suits being the first song in the album, because it really draws your attention in with it's beat that makes your head bop and it's really strong vocals (but let's be real, every EXO song has strong vocals). Kyungsoo oppa slays this song, but when doesn't he slay?
2. Ko Ko Bop
Ko Ko Bop is this album's title track, and definitely deserves to be. Of course SM teased the hell outta this song so it was no surprise that I absolutely loved it when I finally heard the full song. I love that it has ups and downs, it's starts off real chill then it gets more exciting, then is chill again. It's honestly a really great song. "Shimmy shimmy Ko Ko Bop, I think I like it" is definitely my favorite line in this entire song. The music video for Ko Ko Bop is also AMAZING but also kinda weird and trippy (i.e. the floating burgers???). I was really confused about what this album's concept would be, because of the thousands of fan theories I read, but was really pleasantly surprised by the tropical theme. I'm just disappointed that there isn't a lot of choreo scenes in the MV, but there was Kim Kai abs, so I guess that makes up for it. Also my bby looks so good frjieoafejkra. Watch the music video on the sidebar or here!
3. What U do?
I'm trying so hard not be be biased when writing reviews for each song, but I can't with this one BECAUSE I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH. This was the song that was featured in Suho oppa's teaser and Chanyeol oppa singing "사랑해" got me so bad that I knew as soon as I heard What U do that it would be my favorite song on the album, and boy do I know myself well. THIS IS MY FAVORITE SONG. It's super happy and upbeat and the lyrics are SO CUTE. "Don't change any of your everything, keep looking at me like you do now, there's no reason, you're all I need" LIKE HOW FREAKING CUTE IS THAT UGH. I seriously just love this song so so so so so so so so so much guys I don't even know what to do with myself. If you don't love this song, we seriously cannot be friends because omg. It's another one of those song that has that "Forever 21 hot fitting room" type of vibe, but in the best way possible. I'm hoping they use it as their lead up song for music programs. You just have to listen to it to understand. It's so good frhieoghrueilghrueilwhfirehfuershgvurshgurielsghurslgh.
4. Forever
Before I listened to Forever, I read tons of tweets about Chanyeol oppa's rap in this song, and of course, since I'm his wife, I had to investigate what the big deal was and oh my lord Sehun. OH. MY. LORD. SEHUN. (this has nothing to do with Sehun, but y'all know Sehun is a lord right??) His rap is so good, but when is it not? To be very honest with you, this is not my favorite song on this album, but if you've read my reviews of other K-Pop albums, you're aware that I'm not really into these types of songs anyways, so no secret?? I do however, really like the opening line, "you can be my only star".
5. 다이아몬드 Diamond
When I first listened to Diamond, I wasn't a fan, because it's just one of thooose songs that I'm not really into until I hear it several times, but now I really like it! I realize how ingenuous my "I really like it!" sounds, but I promise you that I do really like it. Kyungsoo oppa's voice always gets me so good, but his chorus in Diamond is especially good this time. Also the line "Blinding, blinding, you're like a diamond" is so cute in it's own way? To be honest though, the rap in this song is nooooot my favorite, but it's kinda trap style?? Idk my rap terms that well, but it's just like not my fave.
6. 너의 손짓 Touch It
Like with Forever, I saw a lot about Touch It on Twitter before having heard it in full - like ChanKaiSoo's dance from One Summer Night so to no surprise, I really liked it when I finally heard it. It has a really chill, summer vibe to it, like it's one of those songs that you'd listen to while chilling by the pool, but not a HSM2 "All For One" pool party type songs. Does that make sense?? Anyways, I realize now that I really suck at reviewing songs, but ya. Touch It is one of my favorite songs on this album because I guess I've been into chill, summer songs lately lol.
7. 소름 Chill
I'm going to be honest and tell you that I honestly don't know what to write for this song because it's good, and like that's all I have to say?? Chanyeol oppa's rap is really good, but the absolute best part of Chill is Kyungsoo oppa's RAP. YEAH I SAID RAP. I'm still so shook by it like who tf told him he could rap??? Tao is shaking in his boots right now.
8. 기억을 걷는 밤 Walk On Memories
I had nothing to write for Chill but Walk On Memories is a different story. This is the one song that's a little slower, but not slow enough to be a ballad, but I still really appreciate it. There's something sensual (I shuttered as I wrote that) about it that draws me to it (still shuttering). It's about remembering old memories with someone you love, which makes the song super dreamy and easy to listen to. Upon hearing the melody at first, you'd think it'd be a sad song, but it's not and there's something really nice about that. Also the "do it do it do it do it do it" part in the chorus would make you think that the song is about the, ehem, deed, if you don't understand the rest of the lyrics, but it's not. I promise you that it's not lol. Chanyeol oppa's verse is my favorite part :)
9. 내가 미쳐 Going Crazy
Ahhhh the last song of the album... I'm going to be straight up and tell you that this is my least favorite song in this album. It's just one of those songs that I'm not that into and I don't really know why. Not to say that it's not a good song because it is, it's just that I'm like not into songs like this?? I do really like Chanyeol oppa's rollercoaster line, because I'm a sucker for whenever he mixes English into anything, but I'm also a sucker for anything he does so... That all being said, I think Going Crazy is the perfect last song for this album, especially because of how it ends with that low piano note like BOOM DONE.
Picking Favorites:
So by now I'm sure you can gather what my favorites are, but as always, here are my ranks for the songs in THE WAR.
1. What U do? (y'all already know lol)
2. 기억을 걷는 밤 Walk On Memories
3. 너의 손짓 Touch It
4. Ko Ko Bop
5. 소름 Chill
6. 다이아몬드 Diamond
7. 전야 前夜 The Eve
8. Forever
9. 내가 미쳐 Going Crazy
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I really loved this EXO album and it really fit it's summer, tropical concept well. It's packed with upbeat, happy songs, which of course is what you'd want from a summer album. That being said, I do feel like this song lacked a ballad song that would've made this album even better than what it already is. Walk On Memories is as close as we can get to a ballad, but it's not quite there, and that one lack is the only thing I don't like about this album. Other than that, I'll definitely be listening to this album for the rest of the summer (and beyond, let's be real) and highly recommend it. There's supposedly a bonus track coming out, Sehun said midnight, but idk about him so we'll see lol, but I'm praying it's the one ballad song I NEED. For Life is still my favorite EXO album and nothing can replace it.
As always, thanks so much for reading! What do you think about EXO's new album, THE WAR? Let me know in the comments or tweet me @thecaitlynlee! I'd love to know what your favorite songs are from the album!
As promised, here are EXO's teaser photos for this comeback! Click the photos to enlarge them! (Grab a snack, I mean the pics below are snacks but like grab yourself a real snack cause there's A LOT of pictures lol)
Caitlyn's Links:
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KAY BAIIIIIIII
Okay so apologies for the all caps intro, but it was necessary, like the most necessary thing in the world. Also, *WARNING* this is going to be an EXTREMELY biased review, being as I'm an EXO-L, therefore there is absolutely no way I can write this unbiased.
So with all that out of the way, I'm honestly so so soooo excited to be reviewing EXO'S newest album THE WAR! EXO was due up for a comeback, since their last release was December 2016, and I'm like 100000% sure that this album is going to be the only album I listen to for the rest of the summer. The digital version of THE WAR, as well as the KO KO BOP music video was released on the July 18, at 6PM KST, and that was 2AM PST so I was asleep, but I did watch and listen AS SOON AS I woke up. I heard the first two songs and needed to take a break because I was just so shook beyond belief, but once I took a few breaths and starred at the ceiling for a solid ten minutes, I was able to continue on. I've been awake for like 4 hours and it's the only thing I've listened to all morning, so I definitely listened enough times to be able to write a comprehensive review for you. So my fellow EXO-Ls and not-EXO-Ls, let's get on with the review!
An Overview and Album Artwork
The Songs:
1. 전야 前夜 The Eve
The Eve really surprised me, I don't know why though lol. I think it suits being the first song in the album, because it really draws your attention in with it's beat that makes your head bop and it's really strong vocals (but let's be real, every EXO song has strong vocals). Kyungsoo oppa slays this song, but when doesn't he slay?
2. Ko Ko Bop
Ko Ko Bop is this album's title track, and definitely deserves to be. Of course SM teased the hell outta this song so it was no surprise that I absolutely loved it when I finally heard the full song. I love that it has ups and downs, it's starts off real chill then it gets more exciting, then is chill again. It's honestly a really great song. "Shimmy shimmy Ko Ko Bop, I think I like it" is definitely my favorite line in this entire song. The music video for Ko Ko Bop is also AMAZING but also kinda weird and trippy (i.e. the floating burgers???). I was really confused about what this album's concept would be, because of the thousands of fan theories I read, but was really pleasantly surprised by the tropical theme. I'm just disappointed that there isn't a lot of choreo scenes in the MV, but there was Kim Kai abs, so I guess that makes up for it. Also my bby looks so good frjieoafejkra. Watch the music video on the sidebar or here!
3. What U do?
I'm trying so hard not be be biased when writing reviews for each song, but I can't with this one BECAUSE I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH. This was the song that was featured in Suho oppa's teaser and Chanyeol oppa singing "사랑해" got me so bad that I knew as soon as I heard What U do that it would be my favorite song on the album, and boy do I know myself well. THIS IS MY FAVORITE SONG. It's super happy and upbeat and the lyrics are SO CUTE. "Don't change any of your everything, keep looking at me like you do now, there's no reason, you're all I need" LIKE HOW FREAKING CUTE IS THAT UGH. I seriously just love this song so so so so so so so so so much guys I don't even know what to do with myself. If you don't love this song, we seriously cannot be friends because omg. It's another one of those song that has that "Forever 21 hot fitting room" type of vibe, but in the best way possible. I'm hoping they use it as their lead up song for music programs. You just have to listen to it to understand. It's so good frhieoghrueilghrueilwhfirehfuershgvurshgurielsghurslgh.
4. Forever
Before I listened to Forever, I read tons of tweets about Chanyeol oppa's rap in this song, and of course, since I'm his wife, I had to investigate what the big deal was and oh my lord Sehun. OH. MY. LORD. SEHUN. (this has nothing to do with Sehun, but y'all know Sehun is a lord right??) His rap is so good, but when is it not? To be very honest with you, this is not my favorite song on this album, but if you've read my reviews of other K-Pop albums, you're aware that I'm not really into these types of songs anyways, so no secret?? I do however, really like the opening line, "you can be my only star".
5. 다이아몬드 Diamond
When I first listened to Diamond, I wasn't a fan, because it's just one of thooose songs that I'm not really into until I hear it several times, but now I really like it! I realize how ingenuous my "I really like it!" sounds, but I promise you that I do really like it. Kyungsoo oppa's voice always gets me so good, but his chorus in Diamond is especially good this time. Also the line "Blinding, blinding, you're like a diamond" is so cute in it's own way? To be honest though, the rap in this song is nooooot my favorite, but it's kinda trap style?? Idk my rap terms that well, but it's just like not my fave.
6. 너의 손짓 Touch It
Like with Forever, I saw a lot about Touch It on Twitter before having heard it in full - like ChanKaiSoo's dance from One Summer Night so to no surprise, I really liked it when I finally heard it. It has a really chill, summer vibe to it, like it's one of those songs that you'd listen to while chilling by the pool, but not a HSM2 "All For One" pool party type songs. Does that make sense?? Anyways, I realize now that I really suck at reviewing songs, but ya. Touch It is one of my favorite songs on this album because I guess I've been into chill, summer songs lately lol.
7. 소름 Chill
I'm going to be honest and tell you that I honestly don't know what to write for this song because it's good, and like that's all I have to say?? Chanyeol oppa's rap is really good, but the absolute best part of Chill is Kyungsoo oppa's RAP. YEAH I SAID RAP. I'm still so shook by it like who tf told him he could rap??? Tao is shaking in his boots right now.
8. 기억을 걷는 밤 Walk On Memories
I had nothing to write for Chill but Walk On Memories is a different story. This is the one song that's a little slower, but not slow enough to be a ballad, but I still really appreciate it. There's something sensual (I shuttered as I wrote that) about it that draws me to it (still shuttering). It's about remembering old memories with someone you love, which makes the song super dreamy and easy to listen to. Upon hearing the melody at first, you'd think it'd be a sad song, but it's not and there's something really nice about that. Also the "do it do it do it do it do it" part in the chorus would make you think that the song is about the, ehem, deed, if you don't understand the rest of the lyrics, but it's not. I promise you that it's not lol. Chanyeol oppa's verse is my favorite part :)
9. 내가 미쳐 Going Crazy
Ahhhh the last song of the album... I'm going to be straight up and tell you that this is my least favorite song in this album. It's just one of those songs that I'm not that into and I don't really know why. Not to say that it's not a good song because it is, it's just that I'm like not into songs like this?? I do really like Chanyeol oppa's rollercoaster line, because I'm a sucker for whenever he mixes English into anything, but I'm also a sucker for anything he does so... That all being said, I think Going Crazy is the perfect last song for this album, especially because of how it ends with that low piano note like BOOM DONE.
Picking Favorites:
So by now I'm sure you can gather what my favorites are, but as always, here are my ranks for the songs in THE WAR.
1. What U do? (y'all already know lol)
2. 기억을 걷는 밤 Walk On Memories
3. 너의 손짓 Touch It
4. Ko Ko Bop
5. 소름 Chill
6. 다이아몬드 Diamond
7. 전야 前夜 The Eve
8. Forever
9. 내가 미쳐 Going Crazy
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I really loved this EXO album and it really fit it's summer, tropical concept well. It's packed with upbeat, happy songs, which of course is what you'd want from a summer album. That being said, I do feel like this song lacked a ballad song that would've made this album even better than what it already is. Walk On Memories is as close as we can get to a ballad, but it's not quite there, and that one lack is the only thing I don't like about this album. Other than that, I'll definitely be listening to this album for the rest of the summer (and beyond, let's be real) and highly recommend it. There's supposedly a bonus track coming out, Sehun said midnight, but idk about him so we'll see lol, but I'm praying it's the one ballad song I NEED. For Life is still my favorite EXO album and nothing can replace it.
As always, thanks so much for reading! What do you think about EXO's new album, THE WAR? Let me know in the comments or tweet me @thecaitlynlee! I'd love to know what your favorite songs are from the album!
As promised, here are EXO's teaser photos for this comeback! Click the photos to enlarge them! (Grab a snack, I mean the pics below are snacks but like grab yourself a real snack cause there's A LOT of pictures lol)
With Love,
Caitlyn <3
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Caitlyn's Links:
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PLAY! by Sephora Box
KAY BAIIIIIIII
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