I have been looking forward to this since it was announced. If you are not aware at this point, I am such a big EXO-L that I legit will buy anything and everything EXO related. They were my gateway drug into K-Pop (you can read about that here), and if you put the word EXO on something, it is basically a guarantee that I will buy it (hence the reason why I am the owner of every single EXOPlanet figurine… It started with one, and ended with 9). Basically, I love EXO, probably a bit more than could be deemed natural. When they announced Blooming Days, I was stoked.
You can buy a copy of Blooming Days on Amazon for 23 bucks here.
I also do a lot of my album shopping on Music Plaza LA. Additionally, if you have never used Music Plaza before, this link will get you an extra 5% off of your first purchase!
You can also order a copy of the album from an eBay, as they typically have good prices. Plus, with eBay, you can save a little bit of money by using the E-Bates extension on your browser, as it will save you 2% on all album purchases, which definitely adds up.
What is E-Bates?
E-Bates is a cashback site that gives you money for purchases you may have already made. They even have an extension for multiple browsers so when you go to a website that uses Ebates, it will automatically pop up the cashback button to make sure you are saving money. I use this all the time, and I got over 80$ back from them for purchases I was going to make anyway. That’s about 3 more albums I can buy!
If you’ve never used EBates before, you can use this link to get $10 when making a qualified purchase of $25 when using EBates. You will also get whatever percent cashback is being offered from the site you are purchasing from. Sephora, typically has 4% cashback, through here. Sokoglam typically has 3%. These percentages Many other major retailers are on there as well.
EXO-CBX Blooming Days, Track by Track:
Before we get into this, I just want to not that each track on this album is for a different day of the week, so there are 7 tracks, starting with Monday, and ending with Sunday. Let’s get to it.
- Monday Blues: This track definitely has a little bit of a reggae feel to it with the rhythms with the melody and the harmonies. Honestly, I think this song perfectly describes how all of us feel when we wake up on Monday morning, especially with the smooth slides that Chen and Baekhyun use through the chorus. They really add that drowsy, I stayed up too late feel to the song. Really like this song, and it will totally be my Monday song, and I totally added it to the playlist. Strong start to the album.
- 花요일 (Blooming Day): Immediately after the first few notes, this song made it into my playlist. This track is FIRE. It would be a blast to dance to, and yes, yes, you can be my boyfriend EXO-CBX (I will take all 3 of you as my boyfriend). I really love the slightly funky vibe that this track has and how they bring in the bass and guitar in the chorus. It really rounds out the sound and really helps the track move. The whole thing was mixed extremely well, and has that polished SM dance song feel to it.
- 내일 만나 (Sweet Dreams): Yooooo this track. I totally dig it, not as much as the last track, but I still really like it. It reminds me of a song that I feel like Madonna would have produced in the 80s. I don’t think this track is as strong as the title track in regards to the tune, and “catchiness”, and for that reason it didn’t make my playlist. I do think that this track rounds out the sound of the album though, and stream lines the transition from Blooming Day to Thursday.
- Thursday: Taking it to a ballad for Thursday. Honestly, this track perfectly describes a lazy morning in bed with yo’ lovah (if you have one). It is slightly sexy, but still has a laid back feel (which is why it isn’t an “I just got home with my lovah” track). Also, when Chen and Baekhyun hit those high notes…. I die. They are such strong vocalists that I don’t think that I could dislike anything they do. But I will not babble about that as I’m pretty sure I have babbled about that before.
- Vroom Vroom: This is definitely a Friday track. It has that “I’m walking down the street after leaving the office to go home for two days” vibe. Like I would totally blare this track while driving. It did make it into my playlist, so that I can play it while driving. Their harmonies are fire in this track TBH, and Xiumin keeps up so well with the vocal powerhouses that are Chen and Baekhyun. So good job, dude!
- Play Date: I can definitely feel this song being a soundtrack for a sunny happy Saturday in the park. It has those tinkling chimes that remind me of sunshine, a happy guitar and bass backing their vocals. I could totally skip with a basket in my hand to this song, while telling Toto that “we ain’t in Kansas, we’re in K-Pop land”. It’s a cute song, and Baekhyun can take me on a “Playdate” *wink wink nudge nudge*
- 휴일 (Lazy): Sunday track! This track definitely has an I’m sitting around on a Sunday, knowing that Monday is rolling around again, but hasn’t got here yet feel to it.The track is laid back, but definitely still EXO. Overall though, this song doesn’t give me the feels though, even with EXO’s powerful vocals. It’s just okay.
K-Points: 438/5
I really do enjoy this album, and all of the tracks are strong, and the vocals are killer on it, but it doesn’t have me dying like other EXO albums like Power of Music or SUJU’s Play gave me the feels. From start to finish, the album is definitely cohesive, put together well, and the first track smoothly flows into the last track. When the album restarts, it still sounds cohesive, with separate movements. The main thing is that I’m not FLOORED by the album, I just enjoy it.
Should you buy a copy of the album? I personally don’t think it is necessary. I did because I stan EXO and need everything they have ever done. Should you stream it? 100% yes. It’s still a solid album. It just isn’t one of my ABSOLUTE favorites. I will just listen to this album so that I can listen to EXO’s smooth vocals all the time.
What track on the album is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below, K-Nuggets!
사랑합니다!
–Rachel
