Exo - "MAMA"

Careless, careless Shoot anonymous, anonymous Heartless, mindless No one care about me

Rating: 8/10

Exo's 2012 debut single, MAMA, is a blend of several different genres, spanning pop, rock, and (surprisingly) screamo. Exo is a Chinese-South Korean boy band with two branches, one that performs in Korean, Exo-K, and another that performs in Mandarin, Exo-M. MAMA is about the general problems of the world, asking why people forsake love for war and hate. (If you want to see the English translation, here it is). The song itself has a classic, driving chord progression that brings up the original backing vocals in the chorus. All of Exo's members are talented singers and dancers, and this song beautifully showcases their talents. The music video is one of the most theatrical music videos I have ever seen, making Exo look like a team of dancing superhero demigods in a fantasy novel. The dancing itself is reminiscent of Michael Jackson, and offsets the song rather well. Exo progresses into a rather surprising bridge, as the song attempts to change its genre to screamo and back again. I can't decide if I like the idea or not, but in a sense it contributes to the point of the verse rather well. In most versions of the music video, about a minute of English narration about certain powers and alliances and stories transitions into the song, but I consider it comparatively badly written and unnecessary. Personally, I prefer the Korean version of the song because I like the sound of the words better, but if you wish to hear it in Mandarin, here is the version by Exo-M.