MONSTA X carve their passionate definition of heartfelt emotions in SHAPE OF LOVE – Album Review

By Nandini Iyengar -

May 1, 2022 - 6:23 PM IST

South Korean group MONSTA X made a stunning comeback for 2022. MONSTA X’s leader Shownu is currently serving in the military and hence, he did not participate in this album. The other five members, I.M., Jooheon, Hyungwon, Kihyun, and Minhyuk, participated in songwriting and composing the six-track mini-album. It was initially supposed to release on April 11 but was postponed to April 26 since a few members tested positive for COVID-19 leading up to the album’s release. The group raised the summer temperatures with their eleventh mini-album Shape of Love.

MONSTA X carve their passionate definition of heartfelt emotions in SHAPE OF LOVE – Album Review

Member Joohoney aka Jooheon was active in lyric-writing and composing the tracks. He produced the title track ‘LOVE’ and co-wrote the lyrics with fellow member I.M. Hyungwon paired up with R3HAB for composing the track ‘Burning Up’ and he also contributed to the lyrics. This marks Joohoney as the title track producer for 3 consecutive albums. “LOVE” talks about unconditional love and admiration towards one, and how we suddenly become innocent children who can’t hide their emotions when we fall in love. This track is Monsta X’s definition of love and their message to their fans that they were, and will always be nearby. The music video unfolds Monsta X’s chronicle of their love for fans and music. Every trace of Monsta X is expressed with the concept of awards ceremony.

Hyungwon, Joohoney, and I.M. came together to make the track, ‘Wildfire’. Joohoney and I.M. contributed once again for ‘I Love You’ (literal translation) and I.M. partook in the concluding track ‘AND’ for lyrics and composition. MONSTA X’s eleventh mini-album Shape of Love opens with the title track LOVE. The members dance to groovy jazzy beats channelling the 80s retro style replete with red and shiny lights. The eclectic bass line adds a nice spunk to the track. The sexy tunes of a saxophone garnish the joyous feelings of love as the members sing – “I never pull back before L-O-V-E / I'm a bit weird in front of love, yes, I'm a geek / This beat is enough to captivate you / It's hard to get out of it, so you gotta shake me.”

The next track ‘Burning Up’ (feat R3HAB) is funky. The song is a tale about love and the passion the protagonist harbor’s for their loved one. The unreleased passion has rendered their body burning up and this is reflected in the lyrics – “I'm burning up/ It's hot, I'm getting hotter/ I'm burning up/ You set my fire, I'm hopeless/All I need is your love.” The techno and bass line beat in the track encompass the feelings beautifully.

The group is known for using motifs and metaphors not only in the lyrics but also in the music. The track ‘Breathe’ is a testament to this claim. The members resort to a mid to low register singer to bring out the emotions in the lyrics. The sounds of breathing are inter-spread throughout the track. The lyrics – “I'm burning up/ It's hot, I'm getting hotter/ I'm burning up/ You set my fire, I'm hopeless/All I need is your love” encapsulate the physical state of breathlessness due to the immense passion coursing through one’s body.

‘Wildfire’ takes a new course with a touch of R&B music. I.M. who is credited as a rapper takes to opening the song with his raspy vocals. Wildfire incorporates the sound of burning flames to highlight the imagery of a wildfire. Except for Joohoney’s rap verse, the rest of the song is sung completely in English. The song paints the picture of a love that is all-consuming like a wildfire – “You pulled me in like a riptide/ This love is sick and it spreads like/ Wildfire, wildfire, oh, oh, oh.”

사랑한다[‘I Love You’ (literal translation)] is a track that feels straight out of a romantic movie. The mood is lively and celebratory. The song is a vibrant and heartfelt confession of love – “I feel alive and breathing again / You made me feel alive/ You're the one who makes me shine.” The guitar riffs, drum beats, and electro tunes add to the imagery of happiness.

The album concludes with the track ‘AND’. The track is about the fear of your loved one forgetting you. The lines are very emotional and quite symbolic if one might add –“When I wandered around you, light it up so I can see / I'll remember that all of this was beautiful/ I sincerely pray that you don't forget me.” They are not only for a loved one but also for MONSTA X’s fans MONBEBE. The group has had a great career all these years, and is a track of expressing their thanks to the fans for their support and love.

The group has once again proven its versatility with its eleventh mini-album Shape of Love. Im Chang Kyun aka I.M. who is mainly credited as a rapper, took the vocal reigns this time and surprised the listeners with his raspy vocals. He sang the opening lines of some tracks and showcased that he can be an equally talented vocalist. Member Joohoney scored a hattrick with LOVE for it is his third time producing a title track for the group’s album. Hyungwon who also finds his interest in DJing showcased his skills with Burning Up in collaboration with R3HAB.

What makes the album special is that it signals the turn of a new era in MONSTA X’s artistry. Just five months after No Limit, the group showcased a new take on love. Expressing the facets of love and MONSTA X’s discography goes hand in hand with their English language albums All About Love and The Dreaming also speak about love.

The lyrics carry deep meaning and the music that accompanies them makes the songs much more beautiful. Each member takes up space in the listener’s heart with their versatile craft of song making. From songs like ‘Alligator’ to ‘LOVE’, MONSTA X has come a long way. With Shape of Love, the group tries to give a musical shape to the different emotions one goes through when one is in love. It is not just the bubbly rosy vibes but also the momentary feelings that it might be over soon. The group expresses all of this with grace and profound simplicity.

Watch the music video for MONSTA X’s latest song LOVE here: