Rover (EP)


Rover is the third extended play by South Korean singer Kai, released on March 13, 2023, by SM Entertainment. The EP contains six tracks including the lead single of the same name. The physical album is available in five versions.

Background and release

In February 2023, SM confirmed that Kai plans to release a new solo album. On February 17, SM announced that his new EP, Rover, would be released on March 13.
The music video for "Rover" was inspired by two movies: Billy Elliot and Catch Me If You Can.
A promotional video entitled "FILM : KAI #Rover" for the EP was released on Exo official YouTube channel on March 20, featuring performances for each of the EP's b-sides.

Composition

The lead single "Rover" is a dancehall song featuring heavy bass, marimba, bells and various percussions. The lyrics sing of throwing off the restraints of others' viewpoints and living freely as a 'wanderer'. "Black Mirror" is an R&B hip hop song with lyrics that question the lifestyle of modern humans reliant on the stimulating, provocative content on social media. "Bomba" is a dance genre song with reggaeton beats. "Slidin'" is an R&B soul genre song that features elegant arpeggio synth sounds and rhythmical drums. The lyrics compare falling in love at first sight with someone that you run into by chance to one's clothes becoming wet from a sudden downpour. "Say You Love Me" is a hip-hop R&B song accompanied by drums and 808 bass. The lyrics make use of candid, straightforward expressions to depict one's desire for the other to confirm their interest in an honest manner. "Sinner" is a pop genre song with piano and synthesizer as accompaniments. The lyrics express the desire to remain trapped in an exhausting type of love where both exhilaration and pain coexist.

Commercial performance

The album debuted at #1 on the Circle Weekly Album Chart while the lead single Rover topped the Circle Weekly Download Chart in the same week. The album topped the iTunes Top Albums chart in 40 regions, including Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. Additionally, the lead single Rover debuted at #12 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales.

Reception

David Opie from Paste named Rover the 10th best K-pop album of 2023, who praised the record's production and sensuality. He named "Bomba" and "Sinner" as the EP's standouts.

Credits

Credits adapted from EP's liner notes.

Studio

  • SM Starlight Studio – recording, mixing, engineered for mix, digital editing
  • SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording, digital editing, engineered for mix
  • SM Big Shot Studio – recording, mixing, engineered for mix, digital editing
  • Doobdoob Studio – recording, digital editing
  • Sound Pool Studio – recording
  • Embassy Studio – recording
  • SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing
  • SM Blue Cup Studio – mixing
  • SM Lvyin Studio – mixing, engineered for mix
  • SM Ssam Studio – engineered for mix
  • SM Concert Hall Studio – mixing
  • 821 Sound Mastering – mastering

Personnel

  • SM Entertainment – executive producer
  • Lee Sung-soo – production director, executive supervisor
  • Tak Young-jun – executive supervisor
  • Yoo Young-jin – music and sound supervisor
  • Kai – vocals, background vocals
  • Park Tae-won – lyrics
  • Mia – lyrics
  • Lee Yeon-ji – lyrics
  • RGB – lyrics
  • Kim Su-min – lyrics
  • Danke – lyrics
  • Hwang Yu-bin – lyrics
  • Cristian Tarcea – composition, arrangement
  • Dara – composition
  • Valentina Nikova – composition
  • YNGA – composition
  • Young Chance – composition, vocal directing, background vocals
  • Gabriel Brandes – composition
  • Imlay – arrangement
  • John "Jbl8ze" Eley – composition, arrangement
  • Jordan Dollar – composition, arrangement
  • Castle – composition, arrangement
  • Talay Riley – composition, arrangement
  • Steve "Tave" Octave – composition
  • Sam Klempner – composition, arrangement
  • Michael Matosic – composition
  • Jake Torrey – composition
  • Vinny "Vinnyforgood" Verdi – composition, arrangement
  • Michael "Trupopgod" Jiminez – composition, arrangement
  • Miguel Jiminez – composition
  • Dominique Logan – composition
  • Darius Logan – composition
  • Koen van de Wardtcomposition, arrangement
  • Ruben Pol – composition, arrangement
  • Chancellor – vocal directing, background vocals, recording
  • Rick Bridges – vocal directing
  • Kim Yeon-seo – vocal directing
  • Bob Matthews – keyboard
  • Jeong Yu-ra – recording, mixing, engineered for mix, digital editing
  • Noh Min-ji – recording, digital editing, engineered for mix
  • Lee Min-gyu – recording, mixing, engineered for mix, digital editing
  • Eugene Kwon – recording, digital editing
  • Jung Ho-jin – recording
  • Kim Cheol-sun – mixing
  • Jung Eui-seok – mixing
  • Lee Ji-hong – mixing, engineered for mix
  • Kang Eun-ji – engineered for mix
  • Nam Koong-jin – mixing
  • Lee Yong-jin – digital editing
  • Woo Min-jeong – digital editing
  • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering