EXO’s soloists every have their very own distinct sound, and Chen has turn into the group’s dependable balladeer. He has the voice to match, and his music scratches a sure sentimental itch that has made it a fan favourite. Nevertheless, it takes an entire lot for a ballad to face out on my playlist. After I love them, I are inclined to LOVE them — however only some songs occupy that vaulted place.

Extra typically, I discover Okay-pop ballads overly mushy and melodically uninteresting. Empty falls inside this class. It retains the mush at bay, however its melodies and construction don’t do a lot to differentiate it from the various, many tracks already inside this house. Chen’s vocal is all the time good to listen to and he imbues Empty with loads of emotion. However the track by no means permits this ardour to totally break by, caught inside a slender framework that merely follows the anticipated notes of a mainstream Korean pop ballad.

Grade: C-