In December of 2021, KAI of legendary K-pop group EXO sonically stole my heart with his second mini album Peaches. It remains one of my favorite albums of all time, and the title track is my second most listened to song in my eight year Spotify history. You can find my review of the entire album here.

Needless to say, KAI’s third release was highly anticipated for me. I don’t think any album of his will have as much of an impact as Peaches, but I appreciate the direction taken in Rover. 

The title track is a strong opening. It is exactly what I expected after seeing the concept photos ahead of its release. Reggaeton is dominating the K-RnB scene, and the muddy bass over this demanding yet sensual hook is no surprise. My expectations were met, but I wasn’t necessarily wowed. The chorus is a bit boring with how repetitive it is, but KAI’s vocal performance in melodic bits like the post-chorus keep me coming back to listen. 

I like “Black Mirror.” It doesn’t stand out to me a ton, but I really like how the song progresses. The bridge in particular picks up well. Initially, I didn’t like the verses; they still kind of feel like he’s listing things, but once the chorus hits, I’m hooked. I feel like it’s the kind of song that gets better the more you listen, especially considering the details in the production.

Upon my first listen, I described “Slidin” as “pretty and sparkly,” which definitely still holds true. I can’t name any stand out parts of the song, but I really like it. The vocals are consistent, the melody is catchy, and the production is simple but satisfying; I have no complaints. 

The reggaeton is back in “Bomba,” the album’s most dance-worthy track. But I’m afraid I have a hard time taking this song seriously by the way KAI shouts “Bomba! Bomba!” at the beginning of the song and during the chorus. I love the bridge though: it’s dramatic and it builds up well. 

I knew “Say You Love Me” would be a favorite from the title alone. I’m a sucker for this track’s dramatic hook. The melody is simple, but conveys the desperation behind the lyrics perfectly. My only criticism would be that the claptrack is a little heavy. Nevertheless, “Say You Love Me” remains a favorite.

A friend of mine said “Sinner” sounds like it belongs in an action movie and I can’t unhear it. It has this sort of James Bond synth, which isn’t bad but a little out of place to me. With a few listens, I’ve come to really appreciate the vocals on this track, but the build up falls short to me. 

Rover has been on repeat since its release and I don’t plan on changing that any time soon. Initially, I was a little disappointed this wasn’t just another Peaches, but I’ve come to appreciate the direction taken with this album. It’s trendy and cool, but it’s still very KAI, and KAI never disappoints. 

Rover is out now and available to stream on all major music platforms.