I Can't Believe EXO Is Finally Back And Kai Is Wearing A Crop Top

It's been a minute, although South Korean favorites EXO are finally back with their fifth studio album, Don't Disaster Up My Tempo. And they're kicking off this new era with "Tempo," a catchy melodic anomaly that, true to its name, seamlessly switches up the tempo from smooth R&B, to retro pop, to hip-hop, to acapella — all in under 4 minutes.


If the rhythmic hook doesn't immediately grab your attention ("don't disaster up my tempo," they plea), and then the individual vocal bridge — acapella kings! — Should do the trick, featuring EXO's stacked vocal line and their dynamic harmonies. Or, perhaps main dancer Kai looking fierce in a crop top is more your speed. There's something for each person!


Speaking of the video, it's a real trip. Starring all nine members — "Tempo" marks Lay Zhang's long-awaited return to the sort — the stylistic visual is both modern and nostalgic, putting a cool twist on label SM Entertainment's common "box" format. The motorcycle-gang aesthetic from the teaser images was a little bit of a red herring; as a substitute, the slick video features the order moving through various sets — a bar, a bedroom (the creaking bed sample does not go unnoticed on the hook), an interrogation room, and, obviously, a dance floor — with a mature color palette that may be more muted than "Ko Ko Bop" however packs just as much personality.


While Lay doesn't have much to do in this video — he's primarily a cameo — he is heavily featured on the Chinese version of the single, which also dropped today (November 2).


The album features 10 new tracks, including the Latin-pop "Ooh La La La," which was co-written by American hitmaker Bazzi (who also worked on "The Eve" off the group's last album), and the smooth "Bad Dream," a R&B track with a disco hook. Just like its lead single, Don't Disaster Up My Tempo defies all genres — a distinct marker of a EXO production.