On September 1 at 6 PM KST (2:30 PM IST), MONSTA X, a six-member group consisting of Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M., made a powerful comeback with their highly anticipated mini album, ‘THE X’. This album marks their first release as a complete group since the 2021 single ‘One Day,’ coinciding with their 10th anniversary and highlighting their lasting influence in the K-Pop industry.
‘THE X’ is an album jam-packed with powerful drum beats and sensual bass lines, striking a fine balance between soaring vocals and rap. The album represents more than just a musical comeback, it is a celebration of resilience, artistic growth, and unbreakable bonds.
The album explores themes of perseverance, self-confidence, and unity, with each track serving as a chapter in the group’s decade-long journey. The album’s name, ‘THE X’, is a clever and intentional play on their group name, MONSTA X, and the Roman numeral for 10, marking their 10 years together as a group and and symbolizing infinite possibilities. It features six new tracks that represent their six-member lineup.
The six tracks on the album include the title track ‘N the Front’, ‘Do What I Want’, ‘Savior’, ‘Tuscan Leather’, ‘Catch Me Now’, and ‘Fire & Ice’.
Notably, members Joohoney, I.M, and Hyungwon actively participated and took on expanded creative roles as writers, composers, and producers throughout the album’s creation, showcasing their artistic evolution beyond performance.
‘Do What I Want’ was released as a pre-release single on August 18, along with an equally captivating music video. The track sets the tone for the comeback, highlighting the group’s powerful rap and vocals. It is an unapologetic and full of confidence song. The MV opens with an explosive energy driven by a throbbing bass line and showcases a rebellious, free-spirited concept.
The album’s title track, ‘N the Front’, is a bold hip-hop anthem driven by heavy bass, rough-textured electronic sounds, and powerful rap. It’s filled with MONSTA X’s signature charisma, hard-hitting beats, and intense performance. The music video showcases MONSTA X in a fresh light while still maintaining their core style. Every part of the song is full of energy.
‘Savior’ slows the pace with a sultry yet powerful electronic sound. In a Rolling Stone interview, Kihyun said, “That song is really our youngest member I.M’s track. There were many versions before we chose the one on ‘The X’. It shows the deeper color of Monsta X’s style.” He added it was “the hardest to sing vocally.” I.M explained it was designed to highlight the vocal members’ strengths, fitting with the album’s eclectic and energetic vibe.
One of the highlights of ‘THE X’, ‘Tuscan Leather’ stands out as one of the album’s most complex tracks. Featuring the singalong hook “We’re 1 for the M, 2 for the X”, it’s a luxurious hip-hop track inspired by deep woody perfume, produced by Joohoney. He shared during an interview that he wanted to incorporate elements from ’90s hip-hop and create a memorable line that global fans could easily sing along to. Lyrically enticing, the track shifts seamlessly from old-school hip-hop to melodic pop.
The funky, yearning vibes continue with ‘Catch Me Now’, a personal favorite of member Minhyuk. The track depicts the dangerous love of reaching out despite knowing it’s unattainable, capturing a rich, dreamy sound with a deeply emotional climax.
Closing the album, ‘Fire & Ice’ is a pop-dance track co-written, co-composed, and co-arranged by Hyungwon. It features an euphoric beat with an old-school R&B vibe. The track brings opposing elements together in a passionate dance, showing that love has no boundaries—a fitting conclusion to the album’s cohesive sound.
‘THE X’ achieved remarkable commercial success, making a significant impact on charts and sales. Just one day after its release, it had already sold over 335,000 copies, breaking MONSTA X’s previous first-week sales record of 326,503 copies (set by their 2023 mini album ‘REASON’) in less than two days.
Hanteo Chart reported that ‘THE X’ sold a total of 427,086 copies in its first week (September 1–7), marking a new career high for MONSTA X. The album showcased their continued relevance in the global music market and reinforced their status as industry veterans.
Known for their intense performances and genre-defining music, MONSTA X continue to shape the K-pop landscape with this latest release, boldly exploring new possibilities and directions. ‘THE X’ is both a celebration of their journey and a confident declaration of their evolution in the ever-changing K-pop scene, seamlessly balancing their signature powerful sound with mature experimentation that highlights their growth as artists and individuals.
‘THE X’ stands as more than just a comeback album. It is a testament to perseverance and artistic evolution. By embracing both their established identity and new creative territories, MONSTA X invites listeners into a world where power meets vulnerability, making this a must-listen for longtime fans and newcomers alike who want to witness seasoned veterans pushing boundaries and defining their own path in the industry.
Written by Ruchika Jinde
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