Written by Sam Reeves, Online News Editor/Webmaster/Social Media Director
(Click here to listen to the album!)
Western artists beware, a threat is on the rise. The K-Pop craze continues to spread with the latest release from popular boy group, Monsta X.
Debuting in 2015 under Starship Entertainment, the seven member group has made a name for itself through the more hip-hop/electronic side of the K-Pop industry. Consisting of two rappers and five vocalists, the group rose to fame with the release of its single “Hero” in 2015.
Now, band members continue to grow their already massive fanbase with their latest album. Released on Feb. 18, 2019, Take.2: We Are Here proves that the group has established a strong footing in the music industry and doesn’t plan on going anywhere soon.
Following the release of Take.1: Are You There? in 2018, the 10-track album holds true to their electronic music style, but packs a firmer punch compared to previous releases. The album begins with an explosive instrumental which holds a few lines that speak about fear and no matter how intense isolation can feel, we are truly never alone.
The intro track leads into the first single of the album, “Alligator.” Along with the album, the band also dropped a (quite literally) fiery music video, showing off new, impressive choreography and lyrics that express the difficulties that accompany love. The music video has garnered almost 21 million views since its debut on Feb. 18. Not only has the single accomplished this, but the group has also won four awards since the album’s release for the catchy single on different popular music programs such as M Countdown and Music Bank.
This album has also brought forth the first collaboration between Monsta X and American DJ Steve Aoki. The track “Play It Cool” blends Aoki’s smooth Electronic Dance Music style with the talented vocals of the group to create a perfect dance track for any party or club.
The group has seen much success in the charts, with “Alligator” debuting at No. 43 on the Melon Music Chart, the highest a single by the group has debuted on said chart. They also currently are No. 10 on the Billboard Top World Album chart.
Even if the band is not as popular as other groups such as Blackpink or BTS, the group is clearly starting to blaze trails internationally, even being labeled as a threat to American pop artists, according to an article published on Feb 6, 2019 in The Guardian.
One thing is for sure, the boundaries once believed to gate-keep the music industry have been shattered, and if Monsta X continues to work hard, it should rise to the top of the charts.