EXO released “Growl” as the lead single from its 2013 studio album XOXO.
The song became one of EXO’s signature tracks and helped establish the group as one of the leading acts of its generation. XOXO was released in Korean and Mandarin versions, reflecting EXO’s original promotion strategy for Korean- and Chinese-speaking markets.
“Growl” is sometimes confused with “Wolf,” which was EXO’s earlier 2013 single and the lead track from the initial release of XOXO. The repackaged edition added “Growl” and became especially successful in South Korea.
EXO debuted in 2012 under SM Entertainment. Its name is derived from “exoplanet,” matching the group’s original concept of members coming from another world. The group’s best-known early lineup included singers such as Suho, Baekhyun, D.O., Chen and Kai.