After two pre-releases over the last month (Let Me In and Hear Me Out – the latter I have yet to review) and a bit of uncertainty with EXO long awaited comeback due EXO-CBX’s threat of withdrawal from SM Entertainment (which has since been resolved), we have finally arrived at the release day EXO’s 7th studio album, EXIST. The title track off the album is Cream Soda, which music video also drops today with the rest of the album. While this is the group’s first comeback in two years (their last being Don’t Fight The Feeling), it does not feature KAI and LAY, who are sitting out of the comeback due to military enlistment and solo promotions in Japan respectively. KAI’s vocals, however, is featured on the album and the pre-releases’ music videos.

Cream Soda revisits the sensual and mature sound profile with this dance pop track, a sound profile which the group previously visited most infamously in Love Shot. However, while the former song really went for the some very concentrated sensual energy, Cream Soda‘s dance pop side gives the newer song some bounce and liveliness. This helps give an upbeat and refreshing tinge that feels right for EXO’s trajectory given their vast repertoire of past releases, and also keeps the group’s new song trendy and relevant. The brass and drum beats gives Cream Soda fanfare and some intensity (which in turn allows for some strong choreography – more on this later). Cream Soda is also described to have an exotic rhythm, which I can totally hear and this adds to that refreshing vibe. The vocals are amazing and showstopping in this comeback, with the members slipping into falsettos effortlessly for the chorus. The rapping was punchy as it is presented to us, with Chanyeol and Sehun giving as a dynamic and energy-packed rap sequence which goes super well with the verses’ instrumentation. The melodies and hooks in Cream Soda are slowly catching on, and I can definitely see Cream Soda growing on me in the near future (if it has not reached its max appeal yet). Overall, both Cream Soda and EXO served and delivered in this long-awaited comeback.

I found Cream Soda‘s music video quite good and alluring to watch. I liked the moody lighting, which goes well with the sensual lyrics and meaning behind the song. The members gave off a luxurious vibe for their dinner party, even though they ended up trashing the place. Elsewhere in the video, the members looked super good and amazing. Out of all the members, D.O stole my attention in this comeback. The more concrete looking dance set was super cool and minimalist, though the choreography set with the building front as the background felt like it has been done one too many times. It reminded me of the background of their 2023 Love Shot performance at the SMCU Palace show and brought nothing new to the table for EXO. I liked that the video still acknowledged KAI with a name card at the table. But I didn’t notice anything for LAY, which was odd. I know he left SM Entertainment, but he still an EXO member at the end of the day and deserves to be acknowledged in some form.

It doesn’t feel right that KAI is missing from this choreography. This routine would have been within his wheelhouse. But the remaining seven members did a really good job. The music video, which is what I am basing the choreography aspect of this review on, fails to really highlight a key move in my opinion, which disappoints me a bit. However, I liked the subtle sensual moves in the routine, and that there were moments where the members did reflect the intensity in the relevant sections to give off a strong performance.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8.5/10