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Posted by eric_r_wirsing Tuesday, May 31, 2016

[Album & MV Review] MONSTA X � 'The Clan pt. 1 Lost'

AKP STAFF
MONSTA X


MONSTA X � THE CLAN pt.1 'LOST'

Track List:

1. Ex Girl (Feat. Whee In of MAMAMOO)
2. All in
3. Obsess Only About Me
4. White Sugar
5. That's a Foul
6. Because of U



MONSTA X has dropped their six-track mini-album, 'The Clan Part. 1 Lost!' The EP includes their pre-release "Ex Girl" and the new title track "All In." This comeback, each of the boys had a hand in the lyrics and music. This is their 6th mini-album. The disc is part of a larger project, the first piece of a two-and-a-half album sequence.

The disc starts out with the sweet single "Ex-Girl," featuring Whee In of MAMAMOO. She's long been known as an awesome singer; her croons blend with the boys perfectly. "All In," the title track, is a trap song with big-noise synths and some great emotional rapping. With a pounding beat that grabbed me, it really gives you a sense of the guy who's willing to go the distance for his love.



The ear-catching track to me is "That's A Foul," with crunchy guitar goodness and justified rage during the rap segments. There's no song that says 'she's a cheater' better than this one. Also of particular note is the banger "Obsess Only About Me," fun, fierce and extremely danceable. The odd duck here is "Because of U," a quieter R&B tune with Prince-style falsetto. It's not a bad song, but I thought it didn't fit well with the overall tone and sound of the album.

The timing of this release is fitting, since it's their one year anniversary. And what a bash! This is really their best album so far IMHO. It's got the EDM and hip-hop that I crave so much, and it just sounds great. The juxtaposition of softer vocals and edgy rap mix well here, and create some fire jams. This album is not likely to get 'lost' on my playlist.

MV REVIEW


The highlight of this MV is the dystopian future. Far from being consumed by nuclear flames from its nearest neighbor, South Korea has instead become an oppressive police state. The boys are part of the resistance, leaving their symbol -- a blue flower -- on the bodies of fallen comrades and in the lapels of heavily-outfitted cops. This is a look at a future that should not be.

There were some powerful shots in here, including a brother-in-arms brutalized and tortured (we only see the aftermath), his spirit possibly broken. The opening has some kind of odd lowing and air raid sirens, as a dead comrade is honored before his friend dodges into a bunker. There was a part where their faces were painted and they were seemingly intoxicated, mirroring the peyote scene from 'Young Guns.'



This MV is part of a series, obviously part 1. "All In" was nothing if not dynamic. Fast-moving and sometimes confusing, this was an awesome look through a metaphorical dark lens. This promises to be a pulse-pounding story if this music video is any indication. I can't wait for part 2.

Score


MV Relevance..........9
MV Production.........9
MV Concept.............9
Album Production...9
Album Concept........9
Tracklisting..............9


OVERALL...............9.0


SEE ALSO: A day after Haru's promotional video as a hostess made headlines, girl group Nature announces disbandment

  1. MONSTA X
  2. THE CLAN PT 1 LOST
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