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
