Obsession (stylized in all caps) is the sixth studio album by South Korean boy band Exo. It was released on November 27, 2019, by SM Entertainment. The album was released for pre-order on November 1, and is available in three versions: EXO, X-EXO,[1] and OBSESSION, which was released on December 4.[2]Obsession was Exo's first album to be promoted as a six-member group, as members Xiumin and D.O. were undergoing mandatory military service, and member Lay was promoting his solo activities in China.[3] It was also the last album to contain a Chinese version of the title track.
Obsession is the band's sixth Korean studio album and seventh overall. The album features 10 songs including the lead single, "Obsession".[4] It follows the band's most recent studio album repackage Love Shot, released in December 2018.[3] The album is the band's first release without members Xiumin and D.O., who were completing their mandatory military service.[5][6]
The title track "Obsession" is described as a hip hopdance song featuring repeating spell-like vocal samples and a prominent heavy beat. The album features 10 tracks in a variety of genres.[7] "Trouble" is a dance song that contains various genre elements like trap and reggae. The lyrics are about falling for one deeply and having no exit. "Jekyll" is a dance pop song with heavy drums, 808 bass along with dynamic vocal composition and transformation. The song's lyrics express an internal conflict with one's alter ego in an impactful way.[8] "Groove" is a song about lovers sharing affectionate feelings as if they were crossing reality & dream through dancing. The song features strings and flute instrumentation with a rhythmical chorus.
"Ya Ya Ya" is a hip hop dance song with lyrics expressing the belief that love begins in a single moment. The song has heavy 808 bass and an addictive chorus, featuring sampling from SWV's song "You're the One" (1996).[9] "Baby You Are" is a dance pop song with a romantic vibe and elements of folk instrumentation. The lyrics tell a story about the exciting moment of love at first sight.[10] "Non Stop" is a dance-funk song with lyrics romanticizing the unstoppable love between two people. The song features prominent brass and guitar instrumentation.[10]
Billboard ranked Obsession the 4th best K-pop album of 2019[12] while Brunch Magazine also included it in their list of the best K-pop albums of the year.[13] MTV included "Baby You Are" in their list of the best K-pop b-sides of 2019[14] and BuzzFeed mentioned "Groove" in their year-end list of K-pop releases that helped defined the year.[15]
^Lee, Ha-na (January 8, 2020). 방탄소년단3관왕 인기 입증, 청하·엑소·세븐틴·벤2관왕(종합)[2020 가온차트] [Bulletproof Boy Scouts 3 crowns proved popular, Chungha, Exo, Seventeen, Ben 2 crowns (general) [2020 Gaon Chart]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
