Earlier this year Monsta X released their album ALL ABOUT LUV– the first all English-language album released by a K-pop group- which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 charts, making it the third group in the genre within the top 10. The record racked up rave reviews from NPR, ET, Variety, Forbes, and TIME, to name a few. Today, the worldwide phenomenon released their anxiously awaited mini album FANTASIA X.
#MONSTAX_FANTASIA trended #1 worldwide on Twitter immediately upon release, not to mention the album entered the top 3 U.S. iTunes Albums Chart. On top of that, Monsta X dropped a music video for the high-tempo title track, “FANTASIA,” co-written by members I.M. and Joohoney. “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 the band’s leader Shownu.
As a whole, FANTASIA X is centered on the first moment that the members of Monsta X felt strongly empowered. “FANTASIA” is a perfect example of Monsta X’s signature energy and power as they sing about their passion to break through anything and everything that’s in their way. “Everyday, we repeatedly experience trial and error. Nonetheless, we take on tomorrow without taking [a] 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…” the band explained. Similar to their daily lives with internal conflict, the new mini album details the new world that Monsta X will create.
Both I.M. and Joohoney helped create all seven tracks- not only by songwriting but also composing and arranging. I.M. expanded his musicality even further with the leading production on the EDM-inspired “ZONE.” Composed by Joohoney, sub-title track “FLOW” is meant to channel dynamic feelings with an arrangement combining pop, intense synth, and dub sound. “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,” he said of the track.
Watch the music video for “FANTASIA” here and stream the mini album on Spotify or Apple Music.
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