Behind the Song: EXO 'Artificial Love'

[88-pea.livejournal.com]

Song: "Artificial Love" by EXO
Album: EX`ACT - The 3rd Album
Composer: Timothy 'Bos' Bullock, MZMC, Adrian Mckinnon, Tay Jasper
Lyricist: JQ, 서림, 지예원
Arranger: Timothy 'Bos' Bullock

MM: This song is different from a lot of the other EXO songs. How did you come up with this concept?
MZMC: We originally wrote the song for NCT. We knew that one of the NCT subgroups was going to be more funky and electronic, so we just thought it would fit them. We actually didn't even know that EXO had concrete plans for a comeback.


MM: If you wrote it specifically for NCT, how did EXO end up recording and releasing the song?
MZMC: This happens all the time. If a song doesn't get accepted initially, we'll pitch the song to other artists — sometimes to artists at other labels.

MM: How did you come up with the title?
MZMC: Tay came up with the "artificial love" hook and melody. He thought it complimented the "vogue" vibe that the track already had. And he thought that the syllables and rhythm would be easy and catchy for the EXO guys to sing.

MM: What was your first impression when you heard the final EXO version?
MZMC: So, I have to think about songs in two ways: personal opinion and marketability. That said, they often overlap because I don't want to pitch something that I don't personally believe in. Honestly, I was kind of on the fence about this particular song, but I was very impressed with the final version. I work with some very talented vocalists, so it's rare for the final song to sound as good as the demo. But the EXO members did an excellent job and the song translated into the Korean language very well.

MM: Was there a particular part of the song that you were especially impressed with?
MZMC: Yes. Baekhyun. His vocals on the chorus were amazing. You can tell he's naturally a good singer because there's a lot of strength in his voice. A lot of vocals get processed and edited in the post-production process, but you can tell that his vocals were touched just the bare minimum.

MM: What were the members' reactions to this album?
MZMC: EXO wanted this album to sound different from their previous albums. They weren't concerned about Kpop or what's mainstream. So, when they listened to all the songs on the album before they went into recording, they were ecstatic. They truly believed that this was going to be their best album so far.

MM: Do you think that excitement came out in the final recordings of the songs?
MZMC: Absolutely. All the songs came out great and you can hear all the extra blood and sweat in their voices. As a producer, you can direct them to sing the right notes or sing in the right tone, but you can't teach or direct passion. When I met them backstage at their album release event, they automatically started singing the songs that I produced on this album out of excitement. Chen even started serenading me with They Never Know, which I also produced (laughs).


The Music Mind: Behind the Song: EXO 'Artificial Love', Artificial Love, EXO, EX`ACT - The 3rd Album, NCT, Baekhyun, Chen, They Never Know

Comments

[honey-baymax.livejournal.com]

Get that praise Baekhyun!

Artificial Love is one of my faves, right after Monster & Lucky One. It's such a fun song.

[honeyfunnybunny.livejournal.com]

I looooove artificial love, definitely right up there with the two title tracks.

And also this;
. When I met them backstage at their album release event, they automatically started singing the songs that I produced on this album out of excitement. Chen even started serenading me with They Never Know, which I also produced (laughs).

is the cutest thing EVER

[jestex.livejournal.com]

this was really interesting – thanks, OP!

'artificial love' is probably the only other song i like on this album besides the title tracks (and i LOVED exodus)

[yixingsforehead.livejournal.com]

really good to read things like these.

also i normally take everything with a grain of salt, but...

"So, when they listened to all the songs on the album before they went into recording, they were ecstatic. They truly believed that this was going to be their best album so far."

i can sort of hear this, saw this on them at the start of promotions, so i'm inclined to believe it.

[skidadler.livejournal.com]

OMG you did it. I was wondering what happened when bomsnose disappeared. Love it.

[yixingsforehead.livejournal.com]

Thanks again for the idea!!

[skidadler.livejournal.com]

Please make a Twitter and tell us all of Yixing's secrets!

[yixingsforehead.livejournal.com]

That's a good one, but I'm not sure if the world is ready for that.
He's already been filmed while unconscious, also with his morning boner, so if I do end up taking this to new levels, the internet is going to be shut down.

[nekkedness.livejournal.com]

>> They truly believed that this was going to be their best album so far.

saving the best songs for the repackage ic

[kashchanocchi.livejournal.com]

I was so skeptical at exo's statement because exodus/lmr was so good yet this album left me unsatisfied lol

[dull-and-wicked.livejournal.com]

this jam, it's my second fave on the whole album

[seulgibear.livejournal.com]

it's cute that they're so proud of this album. the little chen anecdote is the best, i can totally see him do that
i hope they produce more for nct. 7th sense was too good

[kwonsoonyoung.livejournal.com]

lovely <3

[frankoceans.livejournal.com]

love hearing about the process of making their album! the people behind their songs are incredible, i'm so glad they keep giving them the best of the best and i'm glad they love working with exo as well :)

[xxhna.livejournal.com]

i'm glad to hear that the boys loved this album! i'm curious what they thought of the others. i've enjoyed their discography so far.

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

this song is one of my favorites of the album. i really love these posts! really cute to hear how much exo enjoyed the sound of this album.

[timetobegin.livejournal.com]

Overal, I'm personally not THAT fond of this album but Artificial Love is one of my favourite EXO songs ever. The lyrics and minimalistic electro sound compliment each other so well. I also adore the shared Chanyeol+Sehun hooks.

I work with some very talented vocalists, so it's rare for the final song to sound as good as the demo. lmao why am I skeptic about this

[slowitdownbaby.livejournal.com]

This is my favorite song on the new album so this was a pleasant read.
I'm also glad that SM seems to be giving their artist more freedom when it comes to their albums this year.

[edanz-castle.livejournal.com]

Yassss @ that Baekhyun praise. Seriously he sounds his best in this album. I'm curious to hear the demo though.