One song. Every day. Alphabetical order.

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First Love (from Love Me Right – 2015)

Anchored by a plodding piano line, First Love is the sort of hesitant r&b track that often shows up on the second half of EXO albums. The melody and phrasing are interesting here, particularly as the vocals speed up during the nimble chorus. The blend of falsetto and harmony feels notable, though I’m not sure it’s as impactful as it could have been. The track continuously feels on the verge of climbing to another level, but ends up spinning its wheels without a clear endpoint. On the plus side, Love‘s instrumental utilizes some engaging techniques, especially during the bridge when the vocals are met with what sounds like chopped, filtered guitar (though it’s probably just distorted synth).

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