One month after drawing attention for two of the members’ eccentric looks (spikey red hairstyle and deep blue colored hair), SSQ Entertainment’s six-member boy group DXMON (comprised of Minjae, Seita, Hee, TK, Rex, and Jo) has now officially debuted. From their image alone, no one could predict the type of sound that DXMON would produce. Would they release solely pop music? Could their music be rock-fused pop? Will they be a Hip-Hop-K-Pop group? Well, the wait is finally over and the answer to these questions has finally been revealed as DXMON released their first EP HYPERSPACE on January 17. This EP consists of five tracks that all emit a pop sound with an edgy twist that matches the members’ edgy image: “N.W.B,” “Burn Up,” title track “SPARK,” “Very,” and instrumental versions of “Burn Up” and “SPARK.” 

We first heard DXMON’s sound through the release of “Burn Up,” HYPERSPACE’S B-side and DXMON’s pre-debut single that dropped on January 1. “Burn Up” is a great pre-debut track that, although is good from the first listen, is a song that gets better with each play. “Burn Up” perfectly showcases the members’ vocals and rap, and when combined with the sound of the backing track, gives off some early ATEEZ vibes that fans of varying K-Pop groups can enjoy. 

DXMON followed “Burn Up” with the release of their official debut single and HYPERSPACE’s title track “SPARK,” a song that shows another side to their artistry. “SPARK” takes DXMON's musicality down a different path to “Burn Up” by exuding a sound that is more pop-focused, but with an EDM-fused backing track. The members’ vocals shine brighter in “SPARK” and the stretched-out way in which they sing the word “SPARK” in the chorus is captivating and one of the best parts of the track. Everything about “SPARK” (the vocals, the melody, the arrangement) makes it clear as to why “SPARK” became HYPERSPACE's title track. 

The music videos for “Burn Up” and “SPARK” vastly contrast each other through their visuals. The music video for “Burn Up” exudes darkness with the members dressed in dark clothing in dark-lit locations, matching the intensity and edginess of the track. The music video for “SPARK” also features dark-colored visuals and outfits, but simultaneously emits a brighter energy than “Burn Up,” with the members seen in outside locations in daylight, dressed in colorful clothing and with colorful backgrounds such as pink clouds against a blue sky. It’s a great music video for a great song, with cool transitions and impressive special effects that add to its charm.  

Excluding the instrumental tracks, HYPERSPACE opens and closes with two very different sound styles. “N.W.B” opens the EP with an enticing hip-hop style of song that encapsulates a daring and out-there nature exhibited through DXMON's image; it carries a sound that is not heard often within K-Pop and one that differs immensely from “Burn Up” and “SPARK” with the members projecting a low-toned vocal and rap style against a bass-heavy beat. “Very,” on the other hand, closes the EP with a softer approach to an upbeat track, again different from “Burn Up” and “SPARK” while also continuing the EP's use of EDM-fused instrumentations. Both tracks highlight DXMON’s artistic journey, opening and rounding up an incredible debut EP for the group. 

With HYPERSPACE being DXMON’s first EP release, I’m excited to see what DXMON will bring to the music industry next. So, go and listen to HYPERSPACE and follow DXMON as they embark on their new and exciting journey in K-Pop.

Edited by Aleena Faisal