[Album Review] BLACK OUT (1st Mini Album) – CHANYEOL (EXO)

CHANYEOL’s debut mini-album is the furthest I’ll go back to review in this hyperfocus period on 2024 albums. The mini-album, titled BLACK OUT, was released in August 2024. It features the title track, Back Again, a pre-release single that shares the mini-album’s name, plus four additional songs. More on these songs below. But overall, BLACK OUT was a pleasant album from EXO’s main rapper.

More recently, CHANYEOL returned with his second Korean mini-album, UPSIDE DOWN, in August 2025 and a Japanese mini-album, HIBI, in October 2025. CHANYEOL will also be returning as part of the EXO lineup in 2026.

1. Black Out (Pre-Release Track) – Click here for my full review of Black Out. (7/10)

2. Hasta La Vista – I quite enjoyed Hasta La Vista’s laid-back and chilled tone. To me, it felt like a neat song to have on in the background on a drive down the coast, with the windows down and you taking in all of the fresh air. The band instrumentation was nice and pleasant, while CHANYEOL’s raspy vocals brought a cool vibe to the track. The melodies were both easygoing and easy on the ears. (8/10)

3. Ease Up – Ease Up is another chilled song, going with an alternative pop instrumental. I find the instrumental for this track a little dull compared to the preceding track. That being said, it still carries forward CHANYEOL’s raspy vocals and easy-on-the-ears melodies, which are always a highlight for me. I also liked the high-pitched echo that follows some of his vocals, which is a nice element in Ease Up. (8/10)

4. Back Again (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of Back Again. (8.5/10)

5. I’m On Your Side Too – CHANYEOL continues to pick up the energy on the mini-album with punk rock instrumentation in I’m On Your Side Too. It starts off soft but develops into an impactful track. I quite enjoyed the soft “I’m on your side too” line that kicks off the chorus, which contrasts nicely with the oomph he follows through in the rest of the chorus, as well as the punk rock instrumentation. The rapping was a nice addition, adding to the punk appeal of the song. (9/10)

6. Clover – For his last song, Clover takes us into R&B territory with lo-fi beats. This is quite a dreamy listen and was extremely pleasant from the get-go to the very end. The exact same can be said about CHANYEOL’s vocals – there is less raspiness to his singing in Clover, and dreamy and pleasant descriptions do come to mind. The melodies also have a wavy effect, which makes Clover more likeable. (8/10)