Monsta X is, in my humble opinion, one of the most charismatic k-pop groups out there that keeps confirming its position with every single release. After signing a record deal on the US-Market, the all-English songs promised a slight shift of the band’s sound in a softer and more dreamy direction, represented in the best way by sweet “Love U” and dreamily addictive “Someone’s Someone”. After listening to these songs, along with the most popular “Who Do U Love?” (I swear, I heard it being played in German radio at least three times), and comparing them with the setlist during their 2019 world tour, I asked myself in what way will the sound of their Korean releases evolve. And, being completely honest, after listening to “Follow” several times, this change could not have been better.
In almost every genre, the choice of the first album track is not only crucial for the right reception of the whole, but also one of the most challenging decisions to be made. Especially when the first song is one of slower ones by a band known for its almost aggressive charisma. Starting with “Find You” and closing the whole with excellent “See You Again”, however, the structure of the whole album, per se diverse in terms of sound and theme spectrum, is being framed not only by the more melancholic and thoughtful atmosphere, but also by the topic of time, so significant in the story continued in the music video. While “Find You” is both full of hope and nostalgy, “See You Again”, written and composed by Jooheon, sound misleadingly positive, despite reflecting dreams about the past which cannot be experienced again. The composition of the song has a unique and enchanting “fluid” sound to it, similar to the one on “Underwater” – the emotional rollercoaster marked by each of the voices make “See You Again” a promise of much more both story- and sound-wise.
The lack of the rap parts in “Find You”, after listening to the American releases, does not surprise anymore – on the contrary, “Find You” may in this sense be seen as a succeeded attempt of translating a “Western” sound according to the criteria of K-Pop industry. While in some cases, like the latest Oneus album, such solutions may fragment the record, in case of “Follow” they play the role of the musical adhesive, stabilizing the audial personality Monsta X developed.
As “Follow” is the beginning of the new release cycle for Monsta X, it is especially difficult to compare it to the duology “We Are Here”. Both of them show the more multi-faceted side of the group, testing the members far outside their usual performative comfort zone (Jooheon’s phenomenal part in the second half of “Find You”). “Follow”, however, seems to be more delicate and consequent in the process of transition between each track and the sound it incorporates.
Even the title song offers an almost anatomical insight into the changes in the group’s sound – firstly, the production points towards overall melody and rhythm instead of aiming at aesthetic stylization of singular parts of the songs. To put things shortly, the music video to “Follow” is a perfect reflection of the track itself. More dance-oriented in the beat, faster, and more complex than “Alligator” or “Shoot Out”. At the same time, the song is based on a regular beat-change, similarly as in the latest Japanese release, “X-Phenomenon”. Jooheon’s and I.M.’s parts not that much interact, but rather clash with each other, adequately illustrating the dynamics Monsta X established as their signature trademark. Wonho’s voice leading the whole song, together with long-awaited extended performance time by Minhyuk and Hyungwon, smoothly lead to the chorus, per usual brilliantly executed by Kihyun, whose high notes unmistakably commit to the catchiness of Monsta X’s title tracks.
At the same time, however, the updated sound of “Follow”, is connected to the glance towards the past – the unmistakably neo-vintage sound of “Monsta Truck” and “Mirror” resembles here the hits of groups like Triple H or the “old-school” concept of SHINEe. Of course, complemented by the signature future-pop bits, “Monsta Truck” may easily become one of the most recognizable songs of the album. Such experiments do not mean, of course, Monsta X completely abandoned their established personas. “Disaster” or Monsta X-classic “Burn It Up”, just as fiery as “Ghost” and “Stealer”, are here the best examples. Performed live, particularly “Burn It Up”, with characteristic intro and teasingly anticipated chorus, showcases the fluid borders between each “eras” of Monsta X’s sound evolution. While Jooheon’s lines resemble the sound of first two mini-albums, smooth vocal parts point towards “The Clan”-series. All these references escalate up to the genuinely burning hot atmosphere, ideally suited to the energy-packed live performances.
The real gem of the album, however, is hidden right in the middle. “U R”, with its almost unbearable tension on both level of lyrics and composition is, without the doubt, one of the best songs Monsta X released. Still following the darker side of the group’s concept, “U R” is both romantic, sexual, and melancholic, the kind of fusion one may achieve by mixing “Lost In A Dream” with “Oh my!”, adding some perfectly balanced rap parts, and musically complex backtrack.
While listening to “Follow”, one may have an impression; each song lives its own life focusing on a different part of the image Monsta X may incorporate into the broad spectrum of their performance-abilities. Their newest album proved yet again, how much talent, personality, and heart Monsta X put into their music and performance with a mini-album so excellent and diverse, that it’s hard to wait for the follow-up.
10/10 cups of Koffee
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