Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reviewing every song in EXO’s discography, from A-Z. That will continue, but I’m taking a brief break to write about the songs on their newest album, Obsession.

Be sure to check back every day as I take a look at each and every track!

1. Obsession // 2. Trouble // 3. Jekyll // 4. Groove // 5. Ya Ya Ya // 6. Baby You Are // 7. Non Stop // 8. Day After Day // 9. Butterfly Effect

NON STOP

Picking up where Baby You Are left off, Non Stop opens with a chanted funk refrain. This instantly caught my ear, as it seemed like the song was poised to break into a blistering funk workout. What we get instead is a little more reserved, but still potent. Like 2015’s b-side Tender Love, Non Stop gives the guys a slick, disco-adjacent dance beat to work with, stuffed with shimmering rhythm guitar and blasts of brass. If it were me, I’d up the energy just a bit and give the arrangement a more organic, live-band feel. Still, I can’t fault the swinging, addictive instrumental.

Non Stop’s melody is a little less engaging. Other than its repeated chant (which is an amazing high point), the song’s vocal-led moments are somewhat forgettable. The chorus is smooth and enjoyable, but never really attacks in the way I would have hoped. Thankfully, some robust backing vocals help as Non Stop draws to its conclusion, and a standout percussive bridge ignites a brief volley of sparks. As part of an album that’s surprisingly mid-tempo, those are some very welcome assets.

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