Top tracks — play these first
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Obsession Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's haunting themes and showcases powerful vocals intertwined with a captivating beat, establishing a darker sonic identity.
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Trouble — This track features an infectious rhythm and clever wordplay in its lyrics, reflecting issues of attraction and conflict that resonate throughout the album.
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Jekyll — 'Jekyll' explores duality and inner turmoil through dynamic shifts in melody and rhythm, effectively mirroring the album's overarching narrative of obsession.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a strong blend of dark themes and intricate production, making it distinctive within K-pop.
What we noticed
- The album opens with the title track, which features a heavy use of synths and a driving beat, setting a dark tone that persists throughout.
- Each track incorporates layered vocal harmonies, often featuring call-and-response sections that create a dynamic interplay between members.
- Several songs utilize abrupt tempo changes, particularly in the choruses, which heighten the dramatic effect and maintain listener engagement.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo groove throughout
- bold energy for dance sessions
- exploration of desire themes
- catchy hooks for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slower, reflective music
- seek longer album experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Showcases a new musical direction with innovative sound for the group.
- Themes
- dark synth landscapes· duality of desire· K-pop evolution
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2019, 'Obsession' marked EXO's sixth studio album and their first project after the departure of member Kris in 2014. This album showcased a new musical direction, emphasizing darker concepts and more mature themes as they transitioned further into their established careers.
- Stylistic neighbors
- NCT 127· Ateez· Stray Kids
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Obsession
The narrative shifts from self-reflection to an urgent plea for connection during the chorus.
This transition emphasizes the struggle between desire and vulnerability, enhancing the emotional weight of the song's central theme.
Tracklist
- 1 Obsession Start here 3:24
- 2 Trouble 3:17
- 3 지킬 (Jekyll) 3:41
- 4 춤 (Groove) 3:29
- 5 Ya Ya Ya 3:42
- 6 Baby You Are 2:59
- 7 Non Stop 3:24
- 8 오늘도 (Day After Day) 3:42
- 9 나비효과 (Butterfly Effect) 3:10
- 10 嗜 (Obsession) 3:24
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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