Dear Monsta X,
I really like (actually, scratch that… LOVE) the way you work it… no diggity. Now, allow me to stretch my neck, stick my head in the clouds, and pretend this isn’t a one-sided conversation right now.
You just released your 11th mini album, SHAPE OF LOVE, and it does a great way of summing up the different ways you interpret love. As we all know, love can come in many forms. It can have different looks, and it can have different feelings.
The title track “LOVE” focuses on the unconditional love we can have for someone, and how difficult it can be to hide those giddy feelings when we truly sense a connection being made. “LOVE” is also a dream come true for any Monbebe who wished for a retro R&B-inspired Monsta X track. (Yes, I can hear that nod towards Blackstreet!)
Throughout the rest of the project, you made sure that our hearts continue to beat super fast. “Burning Up” lives up to its title, with a seductive EDM beat that can keep us company late at night. Then, you keep the excitement going with “Breathe,” bringing the retro vibes back once again. While the song is led by a lively synth melody, the lyrics express how love can go from feeling sweet to sour very quickly.
SHAPE OF LOVE also allows you guys to shine brighter than ever on the production and songwriting side. “LOVE” marks the third title track in a row that Joohoney has produced, and he also had a hand in the production on “Wildfire” and “사랑한다” (Love Forever). The latter truly represents his and the rest of the group’s love for Monbebe, and it couldn’t be more flattering.
Hyungwon and I.M. also participated in the process, helping to produce “Wildfire.” Hyungwon helped write the lyrics for “Burning Up” too, while I.M. lent his pen to “AND,” the final track on the album. He spilled, “We are faced with endless hellos and goodbyes. As if there’s no eternal relationship or everlasting farewell, it seems to come back again once-in-a-lifetime. Just like how there’s only a one-letter difference between ‘End’ and ‘And’”
I felt that bro, I really did.
As you gear up for your U.S. tour that kicks off in New York on May 21st, Monbebes old and new will find themselves revisiting the vast Monsta X discography. There’s been tons of new music released since 2020, and we can’t wait to celebrate it all this summer! SHAPE OF LOVE is an amazing addition to the catalog, and will really help set the tone for this American run. While (I, personally) struggle to put together an outfit for the LA show, you may very well be finding it difficult to construct a setlist that covers each era. At the end of the day though, it’ll all be a labor of love, and one that we’ll all cherish forever. Isn’t love eternal?
Oh, and by the way… we love to see it!
Sincerely,
A Monbebe who is truly feeling the love.
