XOXO (Kiss & Hug)

After a year of waiting, South Korean-Chinese boy band EXO has finally made their first comeback with their first full length album XOXO (Kiss & Hug). The album will be released in two versions: the Hug edition which will be the songs sung in Mandarin and the Kiss edition which will be the songs sung in Korean. For those who don't know, EXO is made up of twelve members. Six of them are in the subgroup EXO-K and they promote the songs in Korean while the other six are in the subgroup EXO-M and they promote the songs in Mandarin Chinese. For their first full-length album, the two subgroups are promoting together as one; as EXO.

Being the huge fan I am, I decided that my first ever review should be about none other than my favorite group. This review is for the Korean version of the album.

Wolf

As the title track and comeback single, "Wolf" is one of the most powerful songs on the album. It's described as a mix of hip-hop and dubstep and is insanely catchy. A demo version of this song was released back in January and most of the feedback received about the song was negative, with fans complaining overall that it was a bad song, but now most of the fans are loving it.

Baby Don't Cry

This song starts out with an easy-going piano beat and moves into smooth vocals. Personally, this is one of my favorite songs on the album. It has a very slow, mellow tone to the whole thing. The rap in it, done by the group's main rapper Park Chanyeol, will send shivers down your spine. His already deep voice is made deeper by the low, almost whispering tone he raps in making you want to just close your eyes and listen.

Black Pearl

Along with "Baby Don't Cry", "Let Out The Beast" and "My Lady", this was a song that fans who watched EXO's first ever teasers could hear snippets of in the background. Fans were extremely happy that these four songs were being given to us in full, studio versions. "Black Pearl" sounds like a mix of pop and a bit of electronic in some parts such as the chorus.

Don't Go

The vocals in this song are my favorite thing. It's one of those songs that make you want to sway back and forth while you're listening to it and just let it sink in. This is another song that is one of my favorites from the album. It's very nice on the ears and is the perfect song to listen to when you're in an easy-going mood.

Let Out The Beast

Yet again this is another one of my favorites and is another powerful song. It's a high energy song with great vocals and good rapping. It's definitely a catchy song that'll make you want to dance along or at least tap your foot.

365

"365" is probably the most pure pop-like song on the album. It has an amazing summer feel to it. It's the kind of song you would want to blast out of your car radio with your windows down while you ride around with your friends. It's extremely catchy and is an overall fun, feel-good song that you'll want to sing along to.

Heart Attack

This song gives me a strong hip-hop feel. The way that the music is composed and arranged and the way it's being sung, it just reminds me of a modern day hip-hop song you could hear on the radio (not that that's a bad thing at all!) It's a great song and it's really addicting.

Peter Pan

"Peter Pan" is one of those songs that aren't too powerful and in your face nor is it too slow like a ballad. It's a nice in-between and a great listen.

Baby

If I had to pick a song from the album that would be considered a ballad, I'd say it'd be this one. I've mentioned the vocals of this album a lot, and I'm going to do it again now. This song is simply beautiful and the vocals are a big reason for that. The members have all developed their vocals more and I believe that can be heard in this song. That coupled with the music of the song, again, make it an extremely pretty song.

My Lady

This song may possibly be my favorite song off of the album. It is another really catchy song, but instead of having an energetic feel to it, it's much more subdued, but not as much as ballad would be. It definitely makes you want to snap your fingers along with it and probably listen to it on repeat.

Now, the Korean version, Kiss, has two bonus tracks. One is "Wolf", but it's only the EXO-K version meaning instead of all twelve members singing it like the single version, only the six members of EXO-K are singing it. The second is the Chinese version of "Wolf" which is all twelve of the members singing the song in Mandarin Chinese. They're both magnificent songs no matter what language it's in or which subgroup sings it.

Overall

Both this version and the Chinese version are amazing albums! I am so proud of EXO and all the hard work they put into this. I believe it shows their growth as musicians with their vocals and rapping skills. I can't wait until they start performing more songs other than "Wolf" and show us what else they have in store. This is only the beginning!

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