B-Sides: Favorites from MONSTA X (Staff Picks)
MONSTA X has always been one of our favorites through the years. From party hard playlists to comforting lullabies, the group has given a bunch to tune into. With the group’s fifth debut anniversary this week, we decided to suggest a few b-sides for you to listen to. It was indeed one of the hardest decisions to only pull out a few when the members have gifted us with many, but thankfully our staff members helped in choosing some of their favorite tracks to bring to the list, so enjoy!
“No Exit”
“No Exit” is the group’s first ever b-side track from their debut album TRESPASS. The EDM track follows the same style as their album’s single “Trespass,” emphasizing on the tough and bold colors of the members. With bombastic drum beats jarring behind, the members break in as confident rebels demanding the audience’s attention. “The dream is about me becoming your lover. Trying to have me is X, it’s impossible,” raps I.M, making it irresistible for fans to fall in love. The built up energy and power is carried out through the track as the members, led by Hyungwon and Minhyuk, beautifully bridge the verses. The daring statement, “Come in, come in but there’s no exit,” is never an understatement as the listeners are bound to be allured with the group’s entry in the industry.
“Calm Down”
The track from the group’s first studio album The Clan Pt. 2.5: The Final Chapter is another electro pop song showcasing the fierce shades of the act. Adding up to rich bass instrumentals, the members’ domineering vocals blend together to sound superior in the playlist. Being a rap dominant track, the song gives the center stage to I.M and Joohoney to snatch listeners’ attention. The members sing the chorus, “Let’s stop! Calm down. Stop! Calm down,” asking their pounding hearts to calm down as they can’t control themselves while getting to see their loved one. The repetitive chorus is inevitably catchy, making the listeners repeat after Joohoney heartily.
“Amen”
The sweet and peppy track from the second EP Rush reveals MONSTA X as a bunch of flower guys confessing their love in a charming way. With a gentle tune and sweet sounding vocals, the song pleases the audience. The members, known for their toughness, are indeed sweethearts most of the time as they make sure to bless their fans with such gratifying tunes in their albums. The delightful track can be perfect for a relaxing playlist, as the verses could soothe the listeners.
“Ghost”
“Ghost” is among the unique sounds of the group found in their third full album Take.2 We Are Here. As the title indicates, the track gets introduced with a haunting intro which later leads to a high sounding pop track. The lyrics sing about being beguiled by the lover’s charms and feeling haunted day and night. The members neither want to come out of it nor feel fine staying in the relationship, but they are bound to stay and endure it. The rappers and vocalists get to showcase themselves, but soon the spotlight shines on Kihyun for his distinct vocals and high notes.
“Sweetheart”
“Sweetheart,” also known as “White Sugar,” from the group’s third EP The Clan Pt. 1 Lost is another song which features the flower boys proposing to their beloved. With gentle drum beats and mellow verses, the song sounds bright and enduring. By using flattering lyrics like, “My lovely girl, don’t look at me like that. I’m getting shy,” and calling their fans “Baby” and “White Sugar,” the members make sure to stay as irreplaceable lovers in their fans’ hearts.
“Rodeo”
The electrifying EDM track “Rodeo” is a jam, making every listener’s heart pound and get hooked with the track from the very first listen. Written by Joohoney and I.M, the song focuses on the hard hitting chorus and rapid verses mirroring the bubbling energy and power of the rappers. Listening to the song and riding a rodeo is a similar experience, as the track never gives a break for the audience to calm down from partying. “It's dizzying, giddy. Adios to tomorrow,” sing the lyrics, wanting to live the moment without worrying about tomorrow. If the song gets to stay in a playlist, it is sure to be the dominant one, making everyone go wild dancing irrespective of being a K-Pop fan or not.
“X”
“X” gets to cease the listener’s heart at the very moment they get to listen to the splitting instrumentals and members’ bold, soaring verses. The track from the group’s fifth EP The Code once again reveals the confident members, who are one hundred percent sure about themselves and their influence in the industry. Being listed as the “X,” the fans become the group’s only target and center point of attraction. The feeling is returned as the protagonist is also an “X” as the verse sings, “If we get together, we’re XX. XXX is our relationship.” Being one of the group’s signature tracks, the song hooks the listeners with its addictive chorus and stays as a solid one on the list.
“Underwater”
As MONSTA X mature as artists, they unravel the importance of being dependent in a relationship. “Underwater” from the group’s second full album Take.1 Are You There? requests the lover to stay and save the members. Being apart feels breathless and suffocating, as if drowning in the water, and that feeling is brought out in the lyrics, “Please take me out, I’m under water. Here I’m alone in this cold and dark place.” The desperate and anguished state of the members is well portrayed with the shift in the instrumentals and vocals from Shownu and Wonho’s fragile lines to Joohoney and I.M’s bombastic rap verses.
“Party Time”
“Party Time” from Take.2 We Are Here is more of a celebration anthem where the members acknowledge their hard work during the day and party during the night. The group plays as the host for the party as I.M sings, “Turn on the H.ONE song. Don't worry you're going crazy today,” wanting the listeners to stay the night and party along with the squad. Following the theory of “Work Hard, Play Hard,” the members get to remind their fans as well as themselves the importance of celebration and fun. The chill track with the members’ joyous chorus can eventually brighten up any bad mood and can be a therapeutic listen after a long, tiring day.
“See You Again”
Being the final track from the group’s latest mini-album, Follow: Find You, the song sings about bidding goodbye for a brief time. It is a perfect ending for the album, as the lyrics reminisce about the first meeting and the journey through the good and bad together. Though it seems like a rough time now and we can’t go back in time, there is still hope left as the members promise to see again. The heartfelt lyrics and vocals could overwhelm the listener’s heart and embrace them with memories. The song sounds more personal to the fans as it carries way more emotions, yet the members end the song reassuring they will, “See you again,” as the better days are yet to come.
On behalf of The Kraze Staff, we wish MONSTA X a happy anniversary! Wishing you all goodness and blessings. Despite the bumpy rides, let us stay together and spread love!
Which B-Side was your favorite from the above? Let us know in the comments!
Lyrics Credits: lyricstranslate, colorcodedlyrics