Obsession (Exo album)
Obsession (stylized in all caps) is the sixth studio album by South Korean–Chinese 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 doing solo promotions in China.
Obsession | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Digital cover | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 27, 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2019 | |||
Studio | SM Studios, Seoul, South Korea | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 34:08 | |||
Language | Korean | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Lee Soo-man (exec.) | |||
Exo chronology | ||||
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Singles from Obsession | ||||
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Background and release
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. The album is the band's first release without members Xiumin and D.O., who are currently completing mandatory military service.[5][6]
Songs
The title track "Obsession" is described as a hip hop dance 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]
Promotion
On November 29, the band held their comeback showcase titled Exo The Stage, where they performed the lead single "Obsession" for the first time.[11]
Track listing
Credits adapted from Naver
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Obsession" |
| 3:23 | ||
2. | "Trouble" |
|
| 3:17 | |
3. | "Jekyll" (Korean: 지킬; RR: Jikil) |
|
|
| 3:41 |
4. | "Groove" (Korean: 춤; RR: Chum; lit. Dancing) |
|
|
| 3:28 |
5. | "Ya Ya Ya" |
| 3:42 | ||
6. | "Baby You Are" |
|
|
| 2:58 |
7. | "Non Stop" | 3:24 | |||
8. | "Day After Day" (Korean: 오늘도; RR: Oneuldo) |
|
| 3:42 | |
9. | "Butterfly Effect" (Korean: 나비효과; RR: Nabihyogwa) |
| 3:10 | ||
10. | "Obsession" (嗜) (Chinese version) |
|
| 3:23 | |
Total length: | 34:15 |
Notes
- "Ya Ya Ya" contains a sample of "You're the One" performed by SWV.[9]
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (2019) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[12] | 22 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[13] | 124 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[14] | 89 |
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[15] | 16 |
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[16] | 20 |
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[17] | 72 |
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[18] | 1 |
UK Digital Albums (OCC)[19] | 37 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[20] | 33 |
US Billboard 200[21] | 182 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[22] | 5 |
US World Albums (Billboard)[23] | 1 |
Year-end charts
Chart (2019) | Position |
---|---|
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[24] | 3 |
Sales
Region | Sales |
---|---|
China[25] | 346,000 |
Japan[26] | 24,275 |
South Korea[27] | 829,147 |
United States[28] | 25,000 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
South Korea (KMCA)[29] | 3× Platinum | 750,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Accolades
Critic/Publication | List | Works | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brunch Magazine | The 10 best K-pop albums in 2019 | Obsession | N/A | [30] |
Billboard | The 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2019 | 4 | [31] | |
Billboard | The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2019 | "Obsession" | 1 | [32] |
MTV | The Best K-pop B-sides of 2019 | "Baby You Are" | 14 | [33] |
Buzzfeed | 30 Songs That Helped Define K-Pop in 2019 | "Groove" | 18 | [34] |
Year | Organization | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Gaon Chart Music Awards | Album of the Year – 4th Quarter | Won | [35] |
Top Kit Seller of the Year | Won | |||
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
South Korea | November 27, 2019 | ||
United States | |||
Various |
|
SM Entertainment |
References
- "엑소 (EXO) – 6집 [OBSESSION] [커버 2종(EXO & X-EXO Ver.)]". Synnara (in Korean). November 1, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- "엑소 (EXO) 6집 – OBSESSION [OBSESSION ver.]". yes24 (in Korean). November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
- "Pre-Order – EXO The 6th Album 'OBSESSION'". SM Global Shop. November 2, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
- "[단독] 엑소 디오(도경수), 7월 1일 육군 현역 자원입대". Daum (in Korean). May 30, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- "엑소 시우민 '5-10분 남겨둔 채 훈련소로 향하는 시우민이 탄 차량'[포토엔HD]". Newsen (in Korean). May 7, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- "'왕의 귀환' 엑소, 27일 정규 6집 발매 "타이틀곡 'Obsession'"". Naver (in Korean). November 11, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- "엑소 백현, 판타지 비주얼VS거친 눈빛…강렬한 변신 예고". Hankyung (in Korean). November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
- "'컴백 D-7' 엑소 첸, 티저 이미지 공개..."절제 카리스마vs마성의 눈빛"". Chosun (in Korean). November 19, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- "엑소, 정규 6집 수록곡 'Baby You Are' 'Non Stop'으로 로맨틱 선사". Hankyung (in Korean). November 22, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- "엑소, '옵세션' 발매 기념 오프라인 이벤트 진행". Hankyung (in Korean). November 19, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- "ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. December 2, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- "Ultratop.be – Exo – Obsession - The 6th Album" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- "Ultratop.be – Exo – Obsession - The 6th Album" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2019-12-09" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- "Billboard Japan Hot Albums 2019/12/9". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
- "Gaon Album Chart – Week 48, 2019". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (3/3)". Billboard on Twitter. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- "Exo Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
- "Exo Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
- "2019년 Album Chart". Gaon. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- Obsession cumulative sales:
- "Obsession - The 6th Album: QQMusic". y.qq.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- "Obsession - The 6th Album: Kugou Music". zhuanjistatic.kugou.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- "Obsession - The 6th Album: Kuwo Music". vip1.kuwo.cn. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- "Oricon Weekly Charts-Album". Oricon. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- Cumulative sales of Obsession:
- "2019 Album Chart". Gaon Album Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- "Album Chart - March 2020". Gaon Album Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 11, 2020.
- "Album Chart - October 2020". Gaon Album Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- "EXO's 'Obsession' Leads K-Pop Group to Fourth Billboard 200 Entry, No. 1 on World Digital Song Sales Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- "South Korean album certifications – Exo – Obsession" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- "The 10 best K-pop albums in 2019". Brunch Magazine. January 6, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- "The 25 Best K-pop Albums of 2019: Critics' Picks". Billboard. December 31, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
- "The 25 Best K-pop Songs of 2019: Critics' Picks". Billboard. December 29, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
- Bell, Crystal (December 27, 2019). "The Best K-pop B-sides of 2019, From Twice to BTS". MTV. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
- "30 Songs That Helped Define K-Pop in 2019". BuzzFeed. January 1, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
- 방탄소년단 3관왕 인기 입증, 청하·엑소·세븐틴·벤 2관왕(종합)[2020 가온차트] [Bulletproof Boy Scouts 3 crowns proved popular, Chunngha, Exo, Seventeen, Ben 2 crowns (general) [2020 Gaon Chart]]. Newsen (in Korean). January 8, 2020. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2020.