Machine (Exo song)
"Machine" is a R&B song of electronic-dubstep genre performed by South Korean-Chinese boy bands Exo-K and Exo-M. Available in both Korean and Mandarin, the song was included in their first mini-album Mama which was digitally released on April 9, 2012 under the record label of S.M. Entertainment.
Production
The song is of electronic-R&B-hip hop genre with chunks of rap and dubstep, and is composed and arranged by music producers Albi Albertsson and Timo Kaukolampi, both making their debut in the K-pop music industry. Albi Albertsson also composed another track from the album "Two Moons". S.M. Entertainment's long time associate and resident lyricist, Misfit, penned the lyrics of Korean version of "Machine". She also helped Chinese songwriter Zhou Weijie to write the lyrics for the Chinese version.
Teaser
The instrumental piece of "Machine" was used as the accompanying music for fifth debut teaser video featuring a popping, locking and robotic dance by Exo member Kai. The video was uploaded on S.M. Entertainment's official YouTube channel on January 3, 2012.
Critical reception
"Machine" gained mixed to GeneRally favorable reviews. Popular K-pop news site Allkpop noted that the song had the same vibe as the 'advanced formula' used for Shinee's recent hits like "Lucifer" and "Sherlock". The site also pointed out that the "machine concept [fitted] alright with Exo’s sci-fi looking visuals". Another K-pop news site Seoulbeats.com remarked that the first few seconds of "Machine" were a bit confusing and that the track didn't offer much to the 'epic' debut album. The critic McRoth praised the song calling it "pop music at its best".