#10. L.I.E
What "L.I.E" did was breakup the usual formula that we saw out of EXID during their rise to superstar status. Junghwa's normal-sounding lines, LE's incredible rap verse, and the electric instrumental used in the snazzy dance break all contributed to the song moving away from the "Up & Down" shell which was good. Solji, Hani and Hyerin continued to do their thing as the vocals were also quite comfortable. When I look at EXID in terms of their title tracks, I treat "L.I.E" as the baseline for quality.
#9. 3%
Another track from the "Street" album, Solji's solo makes it onto my list. Coupled with a simple guitar, Solji's voice does the rest. She sings across her range - listen to that contrast between her verses and chorus - and sounds really good throughout all of it. I think I've said this before about Solji but when she reaches / strains for notes it doesn't sound as bad compared to other singers. Maybe that's just another aspect that makes her great.
#8. Velvet
Since Solji had a solo up here, it's only natural that the other pillar of EXID would have a solo piece as well. LE has been the best girl group rapper for years but instead of a fierce rap track we have a sexy slow jam. And to top everything off LE is singing, too! More rappers need opportunities like this. She's done rap-singing before but this just shows she could easily be a support vocalist if needed. The sensual R&B nature of this song shows yet another side of LE and her versatility.
#7. With Out U
When the "Ah Yeah" EP released, this song was the shit for forever. For newer fans getting into EXID's B-sides, this is a must-listen. "With Out U" has all the elements of a fantastic track, save for "U" in the title... LE's snappy rap lines, the prechorus' back-and-forth exchange, Hani and Junghwa's(!) chorus, and that buildup to keychange work together seamlessly from start to finish. It's a simple track utilizing the strengths of the group without any blunders. Solid.
#6. Like The Seasons
The timing for this post works since "Like The Seasons" is one of the most relaxing autumn songs you could ask for. What's most impressive about this piece is that all the members contribute on roughly equal footing: Everything about the song is peaceful and LE, Solji, and Hyerin all contain themselves to prevent sounding too loud or out of place. If I had to call any one of the songs on this list a work of art, it's probably this one. Let it whisk you away~
#5. Dangerous
"With Out U" was addicting but "Dangerous" was something else. Man, the "Ah Yeah" EP was so good. Definitely was one of the best minis released that year. "Dangerous" was yet another solid song that contributed to that success. Of all their B-sides, this one was most like their classic title tracks, even though the instrumental is deceptively different (from the standard at least). As usual the rapping is divine and my god that bridge! Sends shivers down my spine every time from the harmonies and high note. "Dangerous" is the top EXID B-side for sure.
#4. Up & Down
Originally I had "Up & Down" at #6 but felt that was too disrespectful to the song that gave EXID everything. Besides a few exceptions, it may be the most recent Kpop song that has achieved legendary status. Not transcendental at first but boy did that change after Hani's fancam. The tacky instrumental, LE's explosive rapping, addictive hook, and (of course) those pelvic thrusts rocketed this song and this group into the spotlight. This song affected so much even after the viral fancam, there's not much else to say.
#3. I Feel Good
The sad truth is that EXID have been releasing incredible music like this for years. Everyone just slept on them. "I Feel Good" is the fucking jam! This was "Up & Down" before "Up & Down" was "Up & Down." Wow what a weird sentence. Anyways this has everything: the vocal hook, the dance hook, the rapping, the buildup, etc. etc. LE and Solji do so much work it's insane. Hyerin's hairstyle in this comeback was tragic though...
#2. Every Night
I had to link version #2 off the "Ah Yeah" EP because the original from 2012 has a bizarre music video, and the bridge in the 2nd version is way better. Again, EXID has been fantastic for years but couldn't break through. "Every Night" is delightfully sensual and we're at the point where I'm having trouble explain why it is amazing. That bridge adds another element and the extension really helps the song - who could ignore Solji high notes? They always blend the singing and rapping together extremely well, though this time LE does more rap-singing. Speaking of...to this day I still think that LE says "I know this is pretty cold" instead of "booty call" in her first verse.
#1. Ah Yeah
Take the "Up & Down" formula, turn all dials to 11 while making some slight modifications, and voila! While Hyerin and Solji continued their work as a spectacular vocal pair, the highlight of the song was definitely the exchange between Hani and LE during the verses. The song structure and main point of the "Ah Yeah" choreography is similar to that from "Up & Down," though as this was their first release since the latter, it's understandable if not acceptable. Wrap it all together in a colorful MV, and you had a statement comeback from EXID. "Up & Down" launched their rebirth, but "Ah Yeah" showed they were here to stay following their newfound success.
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