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| Photo Cr. Starship Entertainment |
On September 1, MONSTA X has returned with their 10th anniversary mini album "THE X." For the past decade, MONSTA X has been both survivors and pioneers, pushing the boundaries of K-pop. From their powerful performances on stage to their consistent experimentation with music and style, to their teamwork that has dominated the global scene, MONSTA X has proven themselves without a single "correct answer," and with "THE X," they've once again unleashed a new formula. The title of this mini-album, "THE X," signifies a singular unknown, suggesting countless possibilities and new directions within. Connected to the number "X," representing 10, it becomes a symbol that encapsulates their journey over the past decade. MONSTA X reinterprets this familiar symbol in their own unique way, once again shaking up the K-pop scene.
A New Definition of a Head-On Breakthrough: "N the Front"
The title track 'N the Front' is the track that most powerfully encapsulates MONSTA X's current state. The heavy bass, powerful drums, and powerful vocals and raps take center stage, instantly penetrating the song's core. Beyond its powerful sound, the song embodies the declaration, "Rather than following others, we become the standard." This attitude of not being confined by others' frames and defining oneself as the front is the strength MONSTA X has cultivated over the past decade.
The music video visually expands this message. The unconventional angles, the crowd and distance, and the disruptive movement paths challenge the concept of the front in a strange and unfamiliar way. Rather than blindly pushing forward, the strength of focusing one's weight on oneself—"N the Front" is the signal that most intuitively describes MONSTA X today.
This is not a choice, but a declaration... "Do What I Want"
The pre-release track "Do What I Want," which kicks off the album, isn't a mere warm-up. Rather, it's a sensual prologue, revealing the very essence of "THE X." This song, driven by refined confidence rather than provocation, conveys a more "We've always been this way, and we still are" attitude than "Trust me and follow me." Every detail is a perfection made possible by a team with extensive stage experience. This song isn't about "sounding strong," but simply flows with the "naturalness of the strong."
Six Perspectives, Six Emotional Structures
'THE X' is an album with six tracks, each with distinct textures and narratives. Yet, they are organically linked as a single narrative. 'Savior' interprets the word "salvation" not as mere consolation, but with a sharp emotion. 'Tuscan Leather' is a track with a languid mood, its powerful presence accentuated by a beat and sound inspired by high-end perfume, maximizing MONSTA X's understated sexiness. 'Catch Me Now' calmly yet climaxes with emotions intertwined with love and anxiety, decline and liberation. The structure is striking, beginning gently and then powerfully sweeping. 'Fire & Ice' is the culmination of this duality of emotions. This closing track, where heat and cold, distance and immersion intersect, dramatically showcases the expressive power of emotion. All of these songs flow within a single flow, summarizing the emotional spectrum and growth trajectory of the team known as MONSTA X.
An Unchanging Formula, MONSTA X's Way
MONSTA X no longer rely on the label "monsters." They've already conquered the stage, shaken the scene, and become a brand. "THE X" is a renewal of their established formula. They've grown in their own way for 10 years, and that formula is now accumulating like a formula. This album doesn't ask complex questions. Instead, it firmly states that, even if the answer isn't clear, they've proven their unique style. And this time, that style is still valid.
Listen to THE X