I have yet to review any of this week’s new releases, so I am pausing Rookie Fortnight over the weekend to bring you reviews of the big releases from the past week. Kicking things off is EXO’s long-awaited comeback with Crown. With SEHUN completing his military enlistment in 2025, all EXO members became available for a full group comeback. Unfortunately, XIUMIN, BAEKHYUN, and CHEN were excluded from the comeback due to their ongoing conflict with SM Entertainment. Thus, only SUHO, LAY, CHANYEOL, D.O, KAI, and SEHUN were announced as the lineup for the comeback. However, in the lead-up to the comeback, LAY had to withdraw from promotional activities for the new album, REVERXE, due to “unavoidable circumstances”.

ICYMI – EXO’s last comeback was in 2023 with Cream Soda (the title track) and their 7th studio album, EXIST. That comeback did not feature LAY or KAI, but did include XIUMIN, BAEKHYUN, and CHEN, along with the rest of the EXO members.

Crown launches right into its bombastic sound, thanks to the harsh metal guitars and epic trap percussion that form the song’s backdrop. This is a promising start for the new song, and I enjoyed how this bold energy keeps reappearing in Crown‘s choruses as the song progresses. Between the choruses are verses that I don’t remember too much of. I think the material was a little lacklustre compared to Crown‘s centrepieces, so it doesn’t have as much appeal. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t a terrible aspect of the song, but the verses pale in comparison to that bold energy of the choruses. Like most SM tracks, Crown’s bridge is to die for. It is brief, but SM songs excel in this, and Crown is no different. The rapping was also a strong aspect of Crown. What made me nervous about the comeback was the absence of two prominent vocalists. And truthfully, I feel their absence in Crown. SUHO, D.O and LAY do hold their ground, but there is something with BAEKHYUN and CHEN’s vocals that could have elevated Crown.

Some people did not like the use of AI in the music video, which is a fair opinion. Some parts did look a little cheesy, such as CHANYEOL on fire and the members/soldiers on the inside rim of the crown. But I didn’t mind its use. Parts look more epic as a result, which adds to a memorable feel. I noticed that the members’ powers in this video match those in their MAMA music video. CHANYEOL with fire; D.O causing an earthquake back then and breaking a tombstone in this video; SUHO playing with water; LAY helping plants grow/heal; KAI teleporting himself and the members and dancers; SEHUN causing buildings to crash and turning them into dust storms. They use these powers to battle (not sure who, though) their way to the throne, with the dark concept turning golden once they reach the top.

Just like the rest of the comeback, EXO leans into a bold performance. That chorus move where they lean back and form a crown with their hand is quite a statement. The same can be said about the ending. I also like how they include a throwback to their WOLF choreography with the tree during the bridge.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8.5/10
Overall Rating – 8.4/10