Worldwide phenomenon, Monsta X, released their anxiously awaited brand new mini album, FANTASIA X, today. #MONSTAX_FANTASIA trended #1 worldwide on Twitter immediately, along with the album entering the top 3 U.S. iTunes Albums Chart.
Additionally, the band dropped a music video for the high-tempo title track, “FANTASIA,” which I.M and Joohoney took part in writing. “I know people all around the world are having a hard time right now. I’m hoping we can give a little bit of fun to everyone through the release of our new album” says Monsta X’s leader, Shownu.
As a whole, FANTASIA X talks about the first moment that the members of Monsta X felt so stunningly empowered. The mini album opens up with the title track, “FANTASIA,” which is full of Monsta X’s signature energy and power, delivering their passion to break through anything and everything that’s in their way.
The members further explain; “Every day, we repeatedly experience trial and error. Nonetheless, we take on tomorrow without taking any break. We put forth a hundred efforts just to get one thing, but it’s so easy for that tiny bit to disappear. Just as the fierce process and intense competition make us stronger, we are heading off in search of a place that won’t shake in the face of the heavy storm, jealousy, expectations, and disappointment towards me.” Similar to their daily lives fighting against themselves, the new mini album encompasses Monsta X’s new world that they will create.
Both I.M and Joohoney participated in the creation of all seven tracks, ranging from Songwriting, Composing, and Arranging. Rapper I.M expanded his musicality even further with leading the production on “ZONE,” which is an EDM-inspired track. Composed by Rapper Joohoney, sub-title track “FLOW,” is meant to produce dynamic feelings, with an arrangement that intersects pop, intense synth, and dub sound.
He expands further; “We, who live a fancy life, endure pain on the outside as if nothing was wrong with a composed exterior. It comforts me to compare ourselves to swans by saying, ‘I am shining!’ Swans on the surface of the water are graceful and beautiful, but swans’ feet below the surface are stirring the water harder than anyone else. “FLOW” is meant to portray the message ‘Stop stirring your feet and just live with the flows.’ When you listen to the chorus, it says, ‘Sometimes when you’re so exhausted that you’re out of breath, let’s just go with the flow. We all live by looking flashy and pretending to be fine, but let’s put it down for a while and think as it goes.’ This song is meant to bring comfort.”
Earlier this year, Monsta X, released ALL ABOUT LUV, which marked the first all English-language album released by a K-pop group ever, and also debuted at No.5 on the Billboard 200 Chart, making it only the 3rd K-Pop group to chart within the top 10.
The album kicked off 2020 with a splash, garnering rave reviews from places such as NPR, ET, Variety, Access, AP, Forbes, Consequence Of Sound, Billboard, and TIME who stated ““You Can’t Hold My Heart” is a change of pace: en emo pop-rock track with guitar backing. It’s sweet but salty, and tightly executed with its nods to rock. And it’s a sign of dissolving borders — across language, across genre, across culture.”
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