MONSTA X is set to embark on a new chapter in their career with the upcoming mini-album ‘THE X’ – scheduled for release on Sept. 1 in celebration of their 10th debut anniversary. The album holds special significance for both MONSTA X and their fans, marking the return of the K-pop powerhouse armed with unparalleled live performances and stage presence.
Leading the six-track album is ‘N the Front,’ which refers to ‘the one and only complete unknown.’ The song is an encapsulation of MONSTA X’s current state, as well as a declaration that they will set the standard rather than following in anyone else’s footsteps. Marked by heavy bass, powerful drums, and commanding vocals and rap, ‘N the Front’ highlights the group’s bold attitude through impactful sound.
Also included on the album are ‘Savior,’ ‘Tuscan Leather,’ ‘Catch Me Now,’ ‘Fire & Ice,’ and ‘Do What I Want.’ Members Hyungwon, Joohoney and I.M participated in the creative process to enrich MONSTA X’s unique musical narrative. ‘Savior’ is a tune filled with raw, piercing emotion, while ‘Tuscan Leather’ draws inspiration from a perfume with a woody scent. ‘Catch Me Now’ zeroes in on the complex emotions of love, insecurity, falling, and release. ‘Fire & Ice’ explores the extreme ends of dual emotions, and ‘Do What I Want’ shines a light on MONSTA X’s powerful sound and grounded confidence.
‘THE X’ not only brings to the fore MONSTA X’s boundless potential and a new artistic direction, but also symbolizes their 10th anniversary as it has a connection to the Roman numeral X (10). With the album, the group, known for its ever-evolving music and concepts, aims to captivate audiences with a fresh layer of entertainment. It presents tracks with their own unique textures and narratives, yet they remain organically connected within a cohesive storyline. The message it ultimately delivers is simple: MONSTA X may not know the “right” answer, but they have forged their own path – and will continue to do so.
“MONSTA X’s new weapon is finally out,” Joohoney said in a Q&A. “We poured our hearts and souls into this album to show that MONSTA X will only move forward. I think a lot of people will find it fresh and powerful.”
Hyungwon said, “I’ve been running nonstop for this project since my discharge from the military, so it feels surreal that it’s already about to come out. Since the album chronicles our 10-year journey and hints at our next steps, I hope it becomes a meaningful gift for our fans as well.”
Following the album’s release on Sept. 1, MONSTA X plans to hold a comeback live broadcast on their YouTube channel at 8 p.m. (KST), sharing deeper stories behind the music with followers across the globe.
“We’re both excited and nervous to meet our fans with this new release,” Shownu said. “We tried a lot of new things this time, so we’re curious to see how people will react.”
Prior to the official release of ‘THE X,’ MONSTA X whetted fans’ appetites by unveiling ‘Do What I Want,’ boasting their energy, rawness and confidence. Simultaneously showcasing their evident musical growth and transformation, both the music video and performance video of the song immediately mesmerized global audiences. Written by Joohoney, this hip-hop track features a minimal composition highlighting the seamless blend of an addictive hook, groovy bassline, and rhythmic drums.
“We tried our best to avoid playing safe,” Kihyun said. “We wanted to show that MONSTA X can pull this off too – and leave people curious about what we’ll do next.”
In addition to the upcoming mini-album, MONSTA X has prepared a wide range of events to celebrate their 10-year milestone. Most recently, they staged the “2025 MONSTA X CONNECT X” concert at PIA ARENA MM in Yokohama on Aug. 27-28, performing in Japan in nearly six years. The Korean legs of the concert, held on July 18-20 at Seoul’s KSPO DOME, also made headlines for attracting 29,000 audience members.
Source: Press Release
