REASON - EP

On their 12th mini-album, and first comeback since renewing their contract with K-pop entertainment company Starship, MONSTA X has set out to detail the “reason” behind their endurance and enviable connection as a group. (They’ve been together for almost a decade now, after all, first forming on the reality survival show NO.MERCY in 2014.) The group once best known for their hip-hop hustle and EDM-pop drops has continued to evolve on REASON. All six tracks are meant to highlight the band’s range. There’s the anthemic arena rock of “Beautiful Liar” (an ode to Thirty Seconds to Mars’ “A Beautiful Lie,” maybe?) and the sexy bass-heavy ballad “Daydream,” which gives way to the space-cowboy production of “LONE RANGER” and R&B slow-burn “Deny.” (The latter two were produced by member I.M.) As the world continues to learn, and MONBEBE has always known, MONSTA X will continue to push the boundaries of K-pop storytelling—as long as you’ll have them.