[MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW] EXO - Lucky One & Monster (2016)

It seems like yesterday when boy group EXO debuted. But now, they have reached the fourth year of their career.

On June 9^th, EXO just released their third full album, EX’ACT. This album is different from their previous releases because EXO promote double title track for the first time, Lucky One and Monster.

Lucky One and Monster show the opposite charm of EXO. Are you curious to see their transformation? Check out my review for both songs below……………………………………

Lucky One represents the current sound that SM Entertainment pursuing, electronic-disco sound.

If you pay attention to recent SM Entertainment releases such as Tiffany and Luna solo, you notice that they have similar sound like Lucky One. This unfortunately becomes repetitive and it kinds of cover the distinct characteristic of each artists, including EXO. Lucky One also feels like it belongs to SHINee more since this type of sound is more into their style.

However, Lucky One is not a bad track. It has great song production with catchy beat and funky guitar riff. The interchange on verses adds more dynamic to the song as well as the pre-chorus, which is effective to build up chorus. It’s only the rap part that seems out of place.

Lucky One is definitely a grower. It lacks of kick when you listen to it for the first time. But, it gets better each time. Lucky One is also a type of song where you can listen and dance to it for a long time on daily basis.

As for the music video, EXO is back in the box set where they trapped inside a hospital. They have been captivated by mysterious women and try to find a way out. We also see a glimpse of each of EXO member superpower that makes the mysterious women head blows up.

However, there are some bizarre scenes when they use their superpowers that don’t really make sense. Is it necessary for Kai to dance in front of the girl? Why Suho and Xiumin suddenly have the urge to drink water?

Lucky One storyline somehow represents the lyrics where they try to follow a girl where they described as shining. If they follow her, they will become a lucky one. In the music video, the way out is the girl representation and it’s lucky for EXO to escape from the hospital. But, there is a twist at the end that related with their previous album and you need to watch it for yourself!

The whole atmosphere of Lucky One music video gives off futuristic feel with the usage of white, red, and blue color. They also style EXO members like a robot with white outfit and dewy makeup, but I personally not a fan of this styling.

EXO brings us a banger that we haven’t really heard on K-Pop releases this year with Monster. It captures your attention the first time you listen to it.

Monster is a mix of classic K-Pop style with current hip-hop sound. The verses have powerful hip-hop beat and electronic sound, but the chorus is more pop with its catchy hook.

Monster has a great dynamic throughout the song. They know when to build up the song and put a climax with the vocal along with the beat. My favorite part would be from Baekhyun and Chen’s soothing vocal in the bridge followed by Chanyeol and Sehun’s explosive rap part until D.O kicks in on the final chorus and Chen gives haunting vocal in the last past. It’s fire!

Still, Monster can actually go beyond what they do now. I wish they could go harder in the chorus and add more variations to the music. There are many empty space in the songs too such as during Baekhyun or Suho first verses and the transition from chorus to the bridge.

Meanwhile, Monster music video shows a completely different side of EXO. Say goodbye to the perfectly polished boys because now, they get rough. EXO members showed a rebel style with bruise and blood. They sing about how they are dangerous boys, but you can’t resist us, which is in parallel with their previous title tracks like Wolf and Growl.

Surprisingly, everyone pulls it off well and don’t look awkward. I also think that this is the first time where I see SM Entertainment idols have this kind of rough style, so it’s refreshing to see.

Monster music video shows EXO boys caught in a riot with authorities. We see several scenes where the police hit them and they try to fight back. All of these are wrapped in a dark atmosphere with black and red color tone. The cinematography is quite unusual too.

Monster has an interesting concept, but unfortunately, they don’t explore this concept more. Most of times, the music video only showed a montage without storyline. That’s why the twist in the end of the music video feels a bit confusing when we watch for the first time despite of being a fresh addition.

Beside the riot part, Monster also has the performance scene that is the best part of the music video. EXO members dance to a sleek and powerful choreography, which probably their best choreography after Growl. Lay finally gets his time to shine in dancing with Kai and Suho kills his solo part. In short, Monster performance really elevates the song.

Both Lucky One and Monster shows a different charm of EXO. Lucky One is livelier while Monster is bolder. Lucky One grows on you after listening to it several times while Monster grab your attention in the first place.

If I have to choose, I prefer Monster as the title track because it has several elements that fit the description as title track. The song along with the concept pulls you in since the first listen. It also represents EXO more than Lucky One in terms of music and performance while still has something new in it.

Lucky One

Rating:            3.5/5

Monster

Rating:            4/5

Categories: Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Chen, D.O, EXO, Kai, Kpop, Lay, Lucky One, Monster, Sehun, Suho, Xiumin