EXO haven’t had a proper comeback since 2023, but to be honest I haven’t really liked one of their title tracks since 2018’s Tempo — and even that song had some issues for me. These diminishing returns are a far cry from the group’s first seven years, when they reliably churned out some of the best boy group material in the industry. New comeback Crown sees the members depleted to six, but they’ve brought classic SM Entertainment tropes with them.
I very much appreciate what Crown is trying to do. It revisits the agency’s trademark “SMP” sound, a hyper-dramatic blend of rap, rock and theatrical elements. This sound played a huge part in my initial interest in K-pop way over a decade ago and is basically the antithesis of the subdued, Westernized style we hear so often today. This sound is also synonymous with visionary producer Yoo Young-Jin and you can hear his absence here. It’s like a knockoff version of a name brand. Still, there’s plenty to like about Crown.
The song blends older K-pop elements (heavy metal guitar) with newer influences (trap) and creates a pretty convincing hybrid. The lurching melodies are ripped right from EXO’s own Monster, which isn’t a bad place to pull from and honors their own history. It makes me wish all members were present here, as that greater blend of vocals would have added even more power to the track. However, Crown still fires off thrilling shots of its own. The chorus has a wonderfully off-center approach which will likely fare well in the long-term. The verses are less memorable, but they’re propped up with enough bombast to keep things interesting. I don’t think this will go down as one of the group’s many classics, but after the first few listens it feels like the strongest title the group has promoted in a very long time.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Love at first listen for me
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not bad. It’s alright, but also lowkey forgettable. It has that dynamic vibe you’d find in their 2012-2014 singles, but falters in comparison to them (the bar is too high). It’s a decent return even if I wouldn’t return much to it.
8 (7, 9, 8, 8) for me. And thank god we got a single rated an 8.5 in 2 months
LikeLiked by 2 people
The verses are the weakest part! With some reworking the song could’ve easily been at least a 9. On a side note, what would it take for Yoo Young Jin to comeback 😭 Regardless, I prefer it much more than Cream Soda. Exo saw a resurgence with Mama gaining some notoriety last year, so I thought they would lean harder to that side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
YYJ is too loyal to LSM lol
LikeLiked by 3 people
It really hurts to have the group as six, especially with how important Baekhyun and Chen’s voices have been to all of EXO’s tracks. Not to diminish the current lineup (D.O. and Suho are doing all the heavy lifting in the most challenging vocal parts), but having a track like these without Baekhyun and Chen feels so bittersweet.
Besides that fan feeling, I just can’t help but liking this. To be fair, it sounds like EXO reheated their own nachos, but with 14 years into their careers, I don’t really mind that. You could also say that EXO has become a legacy act, and that’s ok. This sound has a classic K-pop vibe, it really reminds me of late Second Generation and Early Third Generation K-pop, which EXO dominated in a lot of ways.
I was also a fan of their previous work with EXIST, it hit all the right spots for me as an R&B enjoyer. Regardless, I’m also happy with what we’ve been given with Crown. It’s nice to see them return to their more dramatic, theatrical side for this comeback era. Hopefully, the album will have a lot to offer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are so back.
LikeLike
“chorus has a wonderfully off-center approach which will likely fare well in the long-term”
Come on Nick bump that longevity score up a couple notches! 🙏🏼 This bad boy is a 9 easy, especially in context of the current trend landscape you so bemoan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
so do the tinny percussions not bother u on this song?
LikeLiked by 1 person
They always bother me. Fortunately, the rest of the instrumental buries them a bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately, I don’t feel this song. It’s like a lesser version of Shinee’s Don’t Call Me but without strong melodies and a sense of progression to evoke drama, so Crown ends up feeling flat and kinda gimmicky. The addition of trap elements don’t help either. To me trap is like the antithesis of this type of song, it’s just so emotionless. By the third time I listened to Crown, the chorus has become rather stale and really in your face, which resembles more of an Ateez or Xikers’ song (both of whose music I’m not a fan of).
I like EXO and the SMP style, but this is not it. 6 (6,7,4,7) for me
LikeLiked by 5 people
I’d like rate this an 8/10 but it definitely is a return to form. Thank goodness, it would be better if they smoothened the roughness but I guess EXO is very angsty so it tracks. Solidarity to CBX and definitely f to SM always. At least I would have literally ranted if this was another dud like the past 7 years.
LikeLiked by 3 people
for me this was their best title track since obsession:
8.25/10 (9, 8, 8, 8) for me
LikeLike
EXO IS 6. That rat Beakhyun will never be back.
LikeLike
It’s just music
LikeLiked by 1 person
What I’m imagining the delivery of this line is:
LikeLiked by 2 people
FUCK YOU! EXO IS NINE PUT RESPECT ON BAEKHYUN’S NAME!
LikeLike
And we’re back!!!
I came into the new EXO track with very low expectations but I’m so glad I did because they proved me wrong. I’m so glad to see that they brought back the dramatic element they had in their darker songs over their first few years. Also the instrumental is amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am hearing The Eve crossed with Monster with some circa 2020 NCT flair. As someone mentioned above, it is also missing some characteristic voices that make EXO sounds like EXO.
That all said happy to see the survivors back together again. Rating is probably about right. Mid 8’s for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The song was quite underwhelming in my opinion. I see the vision but it didn’t quite materialise in my opinion.
On a side note, as BTS are making their much anticipated comeback, would write any special feature on them like an updated Top 10 or a random song revisit or something.
LikeLike
There’s nothing wrong with this song, very SM without a doubt, and the guys do their thing. I’m glad they are doing something similar to their times, instead of whatever Cram Soda was, but still, I can’t get excited about it. Technically, this could’ve been performed by any NCT group, or Shinee, or these days, even Riize🤷🏻♀️.
I’d say an 8, but I don’t think I’ll add it to the playlist.
PS: I did not like any bside
LikeLike
The song is solid, and I like the album on the whole better than Exist (though still less than every other EXO album), so overall it’s an improvement for me. I do hear the Monster comparison, and as another commenter mentioned, I love that they’re leaning into the bigger, more theatrical sound even if this isn’t as strong as their earlier releases in that vein. Whereas Exist felt like it was all about the vocals without the music to back it up, at least this time around the music has some oomph to it! I have some minor gripes about vocal processing, I could do with much more melodic heft and I am sorely missing the voices that aren’t present (though it’s great to have Lay!), but I’m honestly just glad they’re back in any capacity with a title track that I enjoy. I’ll take it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
wow great comeback I love it D. O is amazing, much much better than enhypen comback
LikeLike
not their best, not their worst, but BECAUSE it’s exo, they can pull off anything. can exo do anything wrong in my eyes? not so much tbh, and that’s cause their legacy as a group is so huge. we are desperate for exo music. baekhyun and chen would’ve maybe elevated this a little though. there’s something very 2020 sm era about this song.. that dang kwangya sound they had everyone doing 😩 production reminds me of aespa’s girls.
LikeLike
I like Crown, but man I miss the presence of CBX in the track. D.O. and Suho are great but EXO’s group voice is not the same without Baekhyun and Chen’s power.
I do like the dramatic flair and intensity! Very true to SM and EXO’s roots. This approach feels refreshing when a lot of groups are trying to be cool and trendy.
LikeLiked by 1 person