Find Your REASON to Listen to MONSTA X’s Latest EP Now
MONBEBE, the boys are back! On January 9, 2023, MONSTA X finally returned with their twelfth mini-album, REASON. While the MONSTA X boys have released a couple of singles over the last few months, plus main vocalist Kihyun dropping his debut solo EP YOUTH in October, REASON marks their first official comeback since the release of the group’s last EP, SHAPE of LOVE, back in April 2022.
Consisting of tracks “Beautiful Liar,” “Daydream,” “Crescendo,” “LONE RANGER,” “Deny,” and “IT’S ALRIGHT,” opening track “Beautiful Liar” leads the EP as its title track, complete with an accompanying fiery music video that does not disappoint.
“Beautiful Liar” immediately draws listeners in with its unexpected rock instrumentation that uses an electric guitar along with some beat sounds to create a powerful opening. The instrumentation seems to alternate between rock and pop throughout, with the verses and chorus taking on a more contemporary R&B and pop sound with slight rock influences before pulling us back into a heavier rock-pop vibe with the hooks, all orchestrated through the use of the beats and guitar chords to create this powerful genre blend. The post-verses, sung by Kihyun, also feature a scream vocal effect on the lines, “Why oh why,” and, “But I want it more, yeah,” contributing to the song's rock vibe. The song’s lyrics sing about a dangerous, toxic love in a similar vein to some of MONSTA X’s previous well-loved hits.
Not only with “Beautiful Liar” but with the entire REASON mini-album, Hyungwon and his vocal presence stand out to me; for some reason, I found myself gravitating toward, and truly impressed with, his voice in each of this EP’s songs. While Hyungwon has always been known to have an incredible voice, his vocal delivery seems stronger and more present in this EP, especially with the first verse and refrains in “Beautiful Liar” showcasing his impressive high vocal range.
The music video for “Beautiful Liar” sees MONSTA X dressed in red and silver studded leather attire over black tops and silver chained accessories, while the other people that appear in the scenes are dressed in head-to-toe black outfits. The backgrounds show them standing in various locations, with one appearing to be a derelict setting with ladders and scaffolding behind them that is later shown engulfed in fire, even with JOOHONEY standing upon it. Another setting gives off circus or theater show vibes through the use of red curtains surrounding the MONSTA X members in solo shots, where they are also shown interacting with a horse. Later scenes show Hyungwon and I.M dressed in black and white, surrounded by several chains hanging down from above them. It then changes to JOOHONEY and Minhyuk dressed all in black with silver accessories, surrounded by a white background with words written upon it. Their background then shatters, revealing an all white background, where we then see Kihyun (also dressed in black and wearing a chain necklace) a few seconds later. The music video then transitions into a club setting, with the other people reappearing dressed fully in black with MONSTA X seen in another outfit change, consisting of white and black houndstooth prints and black leather.
Both the song and music video for “Beautiful Liar” come to a sudden end, with the music video leaving a notion of mystery complete with a confusing sequence (or maybe not confusing if you have been following MONSTA X’s concepts and are easily able to connect the dots). This end sequence abruptly shows Minhyuk (filmed in black and white) alone on a stage with a far away audience of silhouettes clapping along to a beat behind him before the song’s title and the group’s name appear on a black screen. The music video then goes back to an alone Minhyuk, this time in color and with no audience behind him, in a close up shot, before pulling away and ending with the MONSTA X logo. If you have been able to decipher this ending, let us know your theories of what you think it means in the comments!
Following “Beautiful Liar,” “Daydream” immediately gives off a dreamy vibe with an enticing and an ever-so-slightly haunting lullaby-like melody. Again, Hyungwon’s vocals stand out, especially in the song’s post-chorus with the gritty effect over his vocals and the hip-hop beat behind it. Third track “Crescendo” then introduces heavy UK vibes with its Grime-influenced beat and JOOHONEY and I.M somewhat entering their UK Grime era with their incredible rap verses. We’ve all heard I.M’s British accent, but who would have expected that we would get a “British” tune from MONSTA X?
Produced by Hyungwon, fourth track “LONE RANGER” carries a unique concept that, not only through its title, gives off slight Western vibes infused within its pop instrumentation. This is heard through the intricate whistle sound effects in the background. “LONE RANGER” is fun, with a catchy chorus that you will be singing along to in no time.
Fifth track “Deny” takes us down a smooth R&B vibe that perfectly highlights each of the members’ soft vocal styles. REASON is definitely an EP for those whose bias is Hyungwon as, again, his vocals stand out, opening the track with a low register that beautifully gets higher as the verse continues, while becoming more raspy and lower in the chorus, where we also get to hear JOOHONEY’s soothing vocals as well as I.M’s in the last chorus. “Deny” is a nice, calming song that differs from those before it on the EP and is one that could definitely become a fan favorite among both MONBEBE and casual MONSTA X listeners.
Lastly, sixth track “IT’S ALRIGHT” brings REASON to an end with a funky hip-hop infused instrumentation. “IT’S ALRIGHT” has the perfect sound for an ending song, carrying a vibe that you can imagine played behind a montage of MONSTA X footage, as either a music video concept or as a video they could play during their concerts.
REASON is a great mini-album that truly allows us to hear and see MONSTA X do what they do best, with JOOHONEY, I.M, and Hyungwon all having individually contributed in either the writing and/or production of these songs. The songs on REASON differ in sound and style to many of MONSTA X’s previous hits but carry the same catchiness and excellence that MONBEBE love them for. It’s great to finally have MONSTA X back (even greater once Shownu returns, of course). Hopefully we don’t have to wait another nine months to hear more music from them so, go find your REASON to listen to this great EP now!