MONSTA X has released their newest mini-album, SHAPE OF LOVE. Consisting of six tracks, the five active members of the group have come to show a cool and suave side of MONSTA X that is both familiar yet new and refreshing. Now, let's get right into this release. 

While MONSTA X has become a group known for their “noise” music, SHAPE OF LOVE is stripped back for the most part. The majority of the album is a fusion of R&B, hip-hop, and pop-synth sounds that form what may be the group's most mature album yet. Title track "LOVE" sounds reminiscent of ‘90s R&B—artists like Blackstreet and Bell Biv DeVoe come to mind when listening. However, what keeps the song interesting is the ever-changing genres throughout. One minute we're met with deep beats and the next to windchimes, making the song sound like a dreamy love ballad. It's a testament to the songwriting talents of I.M and JOOHONEY's composing. The ability to fuse multiple genres together to create one's own sound is no easy feat, and MONSTA X's members have repeatedly succeeded in doing so. 

The rest of the album does wonders for showcasing the rest of the group's members. "Burning Up (feat R3HAB)" was written and composed in part by Hyungwon, who has taken on the songwriter role for MONSTA X's recent releases. Kihyun and Minhyuk show off their vocals in the track “Wildfire," giving listeners chills with their falsettos. Retro and funk meet in "Breathe," and the closing song "AND" is a powerful ballad—then, there is track "사랑한다." 

If anything can be said about "사랑한다," it's the sister song of "By My Side" and "Stand Up." Translating to "Love You," the emotional-yet-uplifting track joins the roster of fan songs; it's an ever-present reminder that MONSTA X holds a particularly close bond with their fans, Monbebe. It's a special bond, rare even for an industry that relies heavily on the fan-artist relationship. It's one of these aspects that make MONSTA X a unique group because not only are they talented, but they are purely genuine. 

SHAPE OF LOVE is yet another notch in the impressive discography that MONSTA X has crafted over the past seven years. An album showered with love and experimentation with new and old sounds, it's a release that is still inherently MONSTA X to a tee, and we are very impressed. Be sure to check out SHAPE OF LOVE here.

Edited by Omani