One song. Every day. Alphabetical order.

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Run This (from Countdown – 2018)

EXO’s Countdown doesn’t have a bad track, but Run This is probably its most inconsequential. Trying on bad boy posturing in the most obvious way, the song is little more than shouts and grumbles competing with blaring, siren-like synths. I usually hate needlessly confrontational tracks like this, but EXO find a way to make it tolerable. The ascending electronics in the pre-chorus help, as do the layered vocals that pop up when Run This decides to inject some actual melody. Objectively, I can’t say that any of this feels inventive or necessary, but something about the song’s energy gets me.

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