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 (two "Photobook" versions, one "Sleeve" version, one "Digipack" version, and one "SMini" version).
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 (2000) and Catch Me If You Can (2002).
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 (March 12–18) 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.
Track listing
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 (153/Joombas) – lyrics Lee Yeon-ji (PNP) – lyrics RGB (Lalala Studio) – lyrics Kim Su-min (Artiffect) – lyrics Danke (Lalala Studio) – lyrics Hwang Yu-bin (Verygoods) – 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
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Rover Chart (2023) Peakposition Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon) 19 Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) 8 South Korean Albums (Circle) 1
Monthly charts + Monthly chart performance for Rover Chart (2023) Peakposition South Korean Albums (Circle) 8
Sales + Sales for Rover Region Sales Japan 4,055 South KoreaAccumulated sales for Rover: 247,222
Release history + Release history for Rover Region Date Format Label Various March 13, 2023 South Korea CD March 17, 2023 SMC
References