Exist is the seventh studio album by South Korean boy band Exo. It was released on July 10, 2023, by SM Entertainment. Exist is the group's first album to be promoted as a seven-member group, as member Kai is currently undergoing mandatory military service[2] The album features vocal performances from all eight Korean members, including Kai.[3]
Background and release
Exist is Exo's seventh Korean studio album and eighth overall. The album features nine songs, including two pre-release singles; "Let Me In", released on June 12, 2023, and "Hear Me Out", released on June 30, 2023. The third single and title track, "Cream Soda", was released alongside the album.
In January 2023, the group's leader, Suho, announced that the group is set to release new music after spring.[4]
On June 9, SM announced that Exo will release their seventh studio album on July 10.[5] On June 12, SM announced the album's title release date, along with a video featuring Exo's updated logo. It was also announced that they would be releasing the pre-release single, "Let Me In" on the same day.[6][7]
The album was released for pre-order on June 12, and is available in three photobook versions, eight digipack and eight SMini versions.[8]
Composition
The album opens with the title track "Cream Soda", a dance-pop song with an exotic rhythm and upbeat brass, keyboard and drum instrumentation. It features sensual vocals, and lyrics that compare the soft yet thrilling moment of falling in love to cream soda.[9] The following track, "Regret It" is an energetic R&B song with a groovy 808 bass beat and colorful synths. Member Chanyeol participated in writing the lyrics, which express the intense emotions of a moment without regret.[10] The third track which is also the second pre-release single, "Hear Me Out", is an R&B song with an old school vibe. The lyrics express the honest feelings of someone who is hesitant before starting a relationship.[11] "Private Party" is an R&B dance song that combines powerful bass drums, dreamlike synth, vocal chops and whistling. The lyrics depict the tense attraction between two people at a private party.[12] "Cinderella" is a synthpop song featuring an explosive drop created by pluck synth riffs and drums. Its lyrics are inspired by the tale of Cinderella, who has to leave at 12 o'clock, but doesn't want to lose someone who she was meant to be with.[12] "No Makeup" is an R&B song with a trap beat, and lyrics stating the subject of the song's natural appearance is beautiful enough without any makeup.[13] "Love Fool" is an R&B pop song with retro synth production. The lyrics express ones determination to not give up on love, even in situations where they cannot easily reveal their inner feelings.[10] "Another Day" is an alternative pop song with a laid-back rhythm, 808 bass, and keyboard layering. The lyrics urge the listener to not get stuck in the past, and to greet every new day with excitement.[13] The album closes with the first pre-release single "Let Me In", an R&B ballad with a dreamy sound and vocals that express understated emotions, with lyrics that compare a lover to a blue ocean and a longing to be together endlessly even if they fall into the deep end.[14]
Commercial performance
Prior to its release, Exist received 1.6 million pre-orders within a 28-day period, breaking Exo's previous personal record of 1.2 million with Don't Fight the Feeling (2021).[15]
^The IFPI Global Albums chart ranks, in order, the albums that generated the most money globally across streaming, download, and physical record sales (combined) in a calendar year. The Global Album Sales Chart measures global unit sales across all physical formats, as well as full album downloads.
^Park Hanbit Nuri (June 9, 2023). 엑소, 7월 10일 완전체로 컴백 [EXO to comeback as a full group on July 10th]. GQ Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
^Kim Yu-rim (January 5, 2023). '군백기' 끝난 엑소, 완전체로 돌아온다 [EXO is back as a whole group after Baekhyun's military service]. MoneyS (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Naver.
^Jung Ji-won (June 9, 2023). [단독] 엑소, 7월 10일 가요계 컴백 확정 [[Exclusive] EXO confirms comeback in music industry on July 10th]. Joy News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
^Cho Jae-yong (June 12, 2023). 엑소, 7월 10일 컴백 카운트다운...오늘(12일) 'Let Me In' 음원·MV 선공개 [EXO, July 10 comeback countdown...Today (12th) 'Let Me In' sound source and MV pre-release]. Singles List (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
^Gong Mi-na (July 3, 2023). 엑소, 7집 타이틀곡은 '크림 소다'...쿨하고 섹시한 여름맛 [EXO's 7th album title song is 'Cream Soda'... cool and sexy summer taste]. SpoTV News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Naver.
^ abPark Dong-seon (July 4, 2023). 엑소, 솔직강렬 11년 R&B 바이브 예고...'EXIST' 프리뷰 공개 [EXO, frankly intense 11-year R&B vibe preview... 'EXIST' preview released]. ET News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023 – via Naver.
^ abHan Hae-seon (July 6, 2023). 엑소엘 모여라! 엑소 정규 7집 팝업스토어 11일 오픈 [Gather EXO-L! EXO's 7th regular album pop-up store opened on the 11th]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023 – via Naver.
^ abJeong Jin-ah (July 5, 2023). 엑소, 정규7집 '엑지스트'로 보여줄 확신의 '보컬 맛집' [EXO's 7th regular album 'Exist', a confident 'vocal restaurant']. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim Min-ji (June 12, 2023). 엑소, 오늘 신곡 '렛 미 인' 선공개→7월10일 정규 7집 '엑지스트' 발매 [EXO, pre-release new song 'Let Me In' today → July 10th regular 7th album 'Exist' release]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023 – via Naver.
