Saturday, April 14, 2018

[MUSIC ALBUM REVIEW] EXO-CBX - Blooming Days (2018)


EXO started 2018 with their sub-unit activities. On Wednesday, April 10th 2018, EXO-CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin) released mini album called Blooming Days. This is their second album after launching Hey Mama in 2016.

Blooming Days offers interesting album concept. It has seven tracks to represent days in a week. Each song has different theme, which based on certain day’s mood. EXO-CBX mentioned that this album could be a companion for people daily activities.

So, are you ready to spend your week with EXO-CBX? Here is my review for Blooming Days album………


EXO-CBX opens Blooming Days album with a surprise. They do not showcase funk or pop-dance genre like their previous album. Instead, they tackle reggae theme for Monday Blues. This song dominated by percussion sound, which gives chill vibe. It matches the song lyrics since EXO-CBX talks about laziness when Monday comes. They just could not wait for weekend already!

As a reggae song, Monday Blues only has similar melody throughout the end. This could make the song becomes boring. Luckily, EXO-CBX manages to create exciting dynamic with their vocal. It was impressive, especially when Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin continue to sing with higher key after each refrain.


Blooming Days is a title track for this mini album. This time, EXO-CBX is back with their usual pop and dance theme. It has groovy beat accompanied by electric guitar. The music would easily make people dance to it.

Although it still presents pop and dance genre, Blooming Days has different vibe than Hey Mama (EXO-CBX previous title track). It sounds calmer due to vocal arrangement. EXO-CBX sang in lower register for most parts. They only soars during refrain, which also makes more satisfying build up in Blooming Days.

Since the song title Blooming Days, the lyrics added various symbolisms about flower such as sprout and leaf. This symbolism is a way of EXO-CBX showcases their feeling. They fall in love with a girl and want to be her boyfriend.

The similar theme also presented on Blooming Days music video. You can see Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin sit or sleep between flowers. This followed by unique cinematography and bold color tone like yellow, green or red. It looks gorgeous.


Sweet Dreams mixes modern and old school sound. The 80s inspired disco beat starts this song. It uses drum followed by electric guitar riff and a bit of keyboard sound. This beat stays throughout Sweet Dreams verses, which talked about how EXO-CBX keeps thinking of one girl.

Then modern sound appears before Sweet Dreams refrain. It has synthesizer to create slower breakdown. Unfortunately, this addition disrupts the song flow. It sounds out of place. Sweet Dreams able to pick it up again during refrain because the old school sound comes back.


Thursday means time for R&B! This fourth track dominated by strong beat along with bass and piano melody. It has slower tempo as well as continuous arrangement. Since the music is quite simple, Thursday able to showcase EXO-CBX vocal.

If Blooming Days focuses on lower register, Thursday goes the other way. Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin challenge themselves with falsettos and harmonization. They nail it, especially when they exchange lines during bridge. It sounds soothing and fits the song theme about wishing to make it official with their lover.


EXO-CBX tries out another experiment with Vroom Vroom. This song mixes disco and trap genre. Disco sound comes through the usage of drum, synthesizer, and bass in verses. These instrumentals successfully lift up people’s mood. This matches Friday night fun vibe.

The uplifting spirit also shows due to EXO-CBX rap during second verses. You finally able to listen Baekhyun and Chen’s attempt! Both of them nail this part, which mention how their heartbeat goes faster when spending time loved ones.

Meanwhile, trap sound appears at refrain. It sadly becomes another blunder from EX-COBX after Sweet Dreams. The old school and modern sound still does not work well.


After disco, funk, and trap, EXO-CBX tackles jazz genre with Playdate. This song is full of strong guitar and bass line as well as lovely piano melody. It also has EXO-CBX harmonization during refrain. The arrangement sounds more cheerful yet fresh if you compare with previous songs.

The cheerful arrangement relates with Playdate lyrics. It tells a story about EXO-CBX preparation to have a date. The lyrics are cute and definitely suits Saturday mood where couple often spend times together.


EXO-CBX finally arrives at last day of the week, Sunday. They do not ready to work again the next day. This is why they want to spend the day doing nothing. This situation portrayed in Lazy lyrics.

Since the song talked about laziness, its arrangement also follows similar vibe. It goes on medium tempo beat that sounds chill. It also has old school tone through the usage of electric guitar and synthesizer. As a lazy theme, this song showcases repetitive melody that could potentially makes people bored.



Blooming Days is another solid album from EXO-CBX. Most of the tracks are pleasant listening. You could easily enjoy it when doing your daily activities just like what the boys want to achieve with this album.

Blooming Days also successfully shows EXO-CBX musical identity apart from EXO. They like to mix up disco, funk, and dance genre. Their songs sound more chill and groovy if you compare with the whole group. Well done, Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin!


My Favorite Tracks:   Monday Blues, Blooming Days, Sweet Dreams, Playdate
Rating:                          4/5



1 comment:

  1. May I ask you something? Why is Vroom Vroom's genre a mix of disco and trap? It doesn't sound like a trap track at all

    ReplyDelete