A beginner's guide to EXO's solo projects
EXO's group discography is known for grand vocals, polished choreography and ambitious concepts, but the members' individual releases reveal a much broader musical world. Their solo albums range from intimate acoustic pop and R&B to rock, hip-hop, dance and experimental electronic sounds. For a new EXO-L, this catalogue can seem enormous at first.
The easiest way to explore it is to follow each member's artistic identity rather than chase a strict release order. A solo project may be a full album, a mini-album, a single, an OST, a mixtape or a soundtrack contribution. This guide offers a clear starting point, with practical notes for Australian fans navigating streaming platforms, physical albums and live coverage.
Why the solo catalogue matters
EXO's group music often depends on the contrast between several voices, while solo work places one singer's tone and preferences at the centre. That makes the projects useful for understanding what each member brings to EXO. Baekhyun's smooth phrasing, Chen's powerful high notes and D.O.'s warm, restrained delivery all become easier to appreciate in a focused setting.
The releases also show how varied the members' careers have become. Some have pursued acting, musical theatre or television, while others have developed distinctive production and songwriting interests. Lay's solo work draws strongly from his Chinese identity and international ambitions, and Kai's music is closely connected to performance, movement and visual storytelling.
For Australian listeners, this variety is easy to explore through Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music, where playlists can be built around mood rather than release date. A commute on Sydney trains might suit a polished R&B set, while a long drive between Melbourne and regional Victoria could be a good time for a full album listen.
Finding a starting point by sound
Baekhyun is a natural first stop for listeners who enjoy sleek R&B and pop. City Lights introduced his solo style with a refined, late-night atmosphere, while Delight and Bambi developed its rich vocal layering and sensual groove. His more recent release Hello, World adds another chapter to that sound, balancing confident pop writing with his precise vocal control.
Chen offers a different kind of vocal experience. April, and a flower is a strong choice for fans of emotional ballads, piano-led arrangements and dramatic singing. Dear My Dear, Last Scene and DOOR continue to explore love, separation and maturity, making his solo catalogue especially rewarding for listeners who pay attention to lyrics and vocal dynamics.
D.O.'s releases are more understated and often feel conversational. Empathy mixes acoustic pop, folk and gentle rhythm, while Expectation expands into a wider range of textures without losing his relaxed delivery. His music suits quiet listening, whether that means an evening at home in Adelaide or a slow Sunday morning in Brisbane.
A quick guide to the members' releases
The projects below are a useful first map rather than a complete list of every solo song, OST or collaboration. Release titles and availability can vary by platform and region, particularly for older digital singles and soundtrack tracks.
| Member | Good starting release | Main qualities | Try it if you enjoy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baekhyun | City Lights | Smooth R&B, polished pop, vocal detail | Contemporary Korean R&B |
| Chen | April, and a flower | Ballads, emotional phrasing, strong high notes | Dramatic vocal music |
| D.O. | Empathy | Acoustic pop, warmth, relaxed delivery | Singer-songwriter textures |
| Kai | KAI | Dance-pop, sensual performance, sleek production | Performance-focused pop |
| Suho | Self-Portrait | Rock influence, introspection, live-band feeling | Reflective alternative pop |
| Xiumin | Brand New | Bright dance-pop, retro touches, energy | Upbeat classic K-pop |
| Chanyeol | Black Out | Pop-rock colour, personal atmosphere | Guitar-led modern pop |
| Lay | LOSE CONTROL | Mandarin pop, R&B, international production | Chinese pop and crossover sounds |
Kai's KAI, Peaches and Rover are ideal for anyone who wants a visual and performance-driven entry point. The songs are built around controlled rhythms, memorable hooks and choreography, so the music videos and stage performances add important context. His releases are particularly effective as a sequence rather than a random playlist.
Suho's Self-Portrait and Grey Suit lean into introspective pop-rock and expressive songwriting. They have a more live-band sensibility than some of the dance-focused solo records, creating a thoughtful mood that can appeal to listeners who enjoy Korean indie pop or alternative rock. Xiumin's Brand New, by contrast, is bright, energetic and deliberately playful, with retro influences and a classic idol-pop finish.
Chanyeol's Black Out gives his long-established interest in instruments and songwriting a dedicated album setting. Lay's solo catalogue, including LOSE CONTROL, NAMANANA and LIT, is worth exploring separately because much of it is Mandarin-language and shaped by his work across the Chinese music market. It provides a different cultural and musical perspective within the wider EXO story.
Two listening paths for new fans
There is no required order, but a mood-based route can make the catalogue less overwhelming. Start with a few contrasting records, then follow whichever voice or production style stands out most.
A calm and vocal-focused route
- D.O. — Empathy
- Chen — April, and a flower
- Suho — Self-Portrait
- Baekhyun — Bambi
This path highlights phrasing, tone and emotional interpretation before moving into more polished R&B and pop. Listen with subtitles or translated lyrics where available, since the emotional detail of these records can be easy to miss when focusing only on the chorus.
A performance and energy route
- Kai — KAI
- Xiumin — Brand New
- Baekhyun — City Lights
- Lay — NAMANANA
This route works well for fans who discovered EXO through dance practice videos, music shows or concert clips. Australian fans can also use local release listings from retailers such as JB Hi-Fi or K-pop specialty shops when comparing physical editions, inclusions and shipping costs.
How to explore beyond the albums
Solo projects extend well beyond official studio albums. Chen, D.O. and Suho have contributed to soundtracks and special recordings, while several members have released singles connected to dramas, films or fan events. These tracks can reveal different vocal colours because they are often written for a character, scene or specific narrative rather than a personal album concept.
Performance content is another important part of the experience. A song such as Kai's "Mmmh" becomes more distinctive when seen with its choreography, while Baekhyun's stages demonstrate how much phrasing and live control shape his studio material. EXO-L can keep track of concert coverage alongside music releases to see how solo songs fit into fan meetings, tours and special stages.
Availability can also differ in Australia. Some physical albums arrive through local retailers, while others require overseas ordering and may involve postage, GST or longer delivery times. Digital releases are generally easier to access, but music-video uploads and official performance clips may appear at different times because South Korea and Australia use different time zones. Fans in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne may therefore see release content at different parts of the day than expected.
Building your own EXO-L playlist
Once you have sampled several albums, organise songs by feeling rather than member. A vocal playlist might place Chen beside D.O. and Suho, while a late-night R&B sequence could move from Baekhyun to Kai and Lay. This approach makes the solo catalogue feel connected without erasing the individual identities behind it.
It is also worth revisiting songs after watching live stages or reading interviews about their creation. A track that initially feels quiet may become more memorable once its lyrics, arrangement or performance context is clearer. Physical album packaging can add another layer for collectors, especially when versions include photobooks, photocards and concept-specific artwork.
Australian fans may also want to watch for local fan-organised cupsleeve events, cinema broadcasts and pop-up trading communities. These activities are often concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne, but online groups make it easier for EXO-L in Perth, Brisbane, Canberra and other cities to exchange album inclusions and share listening recommendations.
Start with one full album rather than sampling every title at once, then add the songs that genuinely stay with you. Explore the music videos, live stages and soundtrack appearances as your interest grows, and use EXO's wider catalogue to discover how each member's solo voice contributes to the group's lasting appeal.