TEEN TOP is all grown up, even the maknae ChangJo (though he's still a teen). And they've just released their new album 'Exito' (what's with all the Spanish titles lately? First 'Mamacita,' and now this). During a recent interview, TEEN TOP stated that since they're getting older and maturing, they hope to show a sexy and more manly image. Did they follow through? Let's find out.

The EP starts off with "Missing" which is a pleasant enough track, though it's not what I would have led the album with. It's sort of a mid-tempo dance number, a groovy R&B track that's easy on the ears. I like the emotion in the vocals here; Niel and Chunji in particular really carry the song on the pre-chorus and chorus. It could have easily been titled "Missing You," since that's part of what the song is about. The other part of the song is far darker than the melody might imply: it's about a toxic relationship where both parties are too messed up to be together. Hardly the usual topic in a K-Pop tune.



"Alone" picks up the tempo somewhat and is closer to what we're used to hearing from the sextet. The line "Do you live alone? Can I come over?" pretty much tells you what the song is about. C.A.P's rap gives it a funky, danceable style. "Alone" is the standout track in my opinion, and the one I'd have released a single for. I'd rather have an album start on a high, exciting note.  

From there we transition to the sweet ballad "Cry." I think emotional singing is where TEEN TOP really shines. The boys are really able to convey emotion on the slower tracks. There's an earnestness and sincerity to the voices as if they really feel what they're singing about. A rap segment at the end helps keep the interest up.



"Love Is..." is a very listenable mid-tempo track, done to guitar and piano. It's a slower tune with silky harmonies. Whatever else can be said about these boys, they can sing. What is love? "Love is so cruel."

The fifth song is "Remote Control." Crisp and tender at the same time, it likens the singer to the ubiquitous channel-changer: "I'll do anything you want, anything you ask/Just press me." Carrying on the theme of the other tunes on the album, the slow to mid-tempo tune contains very precise vocals, picking up a bit in the chorus.



The boys slow it way down on the final track, the heartfelt "Love U." This song was written by member L.Joe and fairly spare of instrumentation at first--a single piano carrying the melody, and then at the end, it builds to an orchestra (or at least a synth one). Again, the vocals are king.  

This is definitely not an album meant as party rock. It's actually a mature effort, a pleasant, easy-on-the ears compilation of tracks meant to lull rather than excite. Not that this is a bad thing. It's very much a pop-it-in-and-enjoy-it-in-a-bathrobe type album. Skillfully crafted and beautifully sung, it's part of the reason why their fans, Angels, love the band so much. They've grown musically and it appears they're getting better with age.

Recommended tracks: "Alone," "Remote Control."

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