The X | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
EP by | ||||
Released | September 1, 2025 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 17:39 | |||
Language | Korean | |||
Label | ||||
Monsta X chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from The X | ||||
|
The X is the thirteenth extended play by the South Korean boy group Monsta X. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment on September 1, 2025.
The X is Monsta X's first EP since the release of Reason in 2023, as five of the members had served their mandatory military service between 2021 and 2025. [1]
The "X" in the album title is a reference both to the group's name and the Roman numeral for the number ten, referring to the group's ten-year history. [2] The EP also has six tracks to represent the group's six members. [3]
On August 18, 2025, Monsta X released "Do What I Want" with a music video, as a pre-release single. [1] The EP was then released on September 1, with "N the Front" as the lead single with an accompanying music video.
Monsta X members Joohoney, I.M, and Hyungwon participated in the writing and production of the EP. In addition to writing for his rap in "Savior" and "Catch Me Now", Joohoney co-wrote and produced the hip-hop tracks "Do What I Want" and "Tuscan Leather". I.M wrote for his rap part in "Do What I Want" and "Catch Me Now", and co-wrote and produced the song "Savior". [4] Hyungwon co-wrote and produced "Fire & Ice", a song with "an old school R&B vibe that would’ve fit into the New Jack Swing scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s." [3]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Clash | 8/10 [5] |
Maria Mata describes the EP as "a nonstop celebration with an eclectic blend of styles." Mata highlights the song "Tuscan Leather" on the EP "as one of the album’s most complex tracks. Lyrically enticing, its shape-shifting sound is what makes it so interesting, with an old school hip-hop vibe that seamlessly turns into melodic pop." [6]
Chyenne Tatum from Clash describes the EP as "a celebratory fusion of old and new, combining some of MONSTA X’s most emblematic traits with fresh and uncharted territory that fits right into their wheelhouse" and praises the lyrics, saying "There’s no doubt the lyrics throughout this album have not missed." Like Mata, Tatum calls "Tuscan Leather" "one of the EP’s highlights", as well as calling "Fire & Ice" "an exhilarating blend of house, R&B, and a dash of synth-pop that easily makes this one of the most dynamic entries of THE X.". [5]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Do What I Want" |
|
| 2:40 | |
2. | "N the Front" |
|
|
| 3:00 |
3. | "Savior" |
|
|
| 3:10 |
4. | "Tuscan Leather" |
|
|
| 3:02 |
5. | "Catch Me Now" |
|
| 37 | 3:05 |
6. | "Fire & Ice" |
|
|
| 2:42 |
Total length: | 17:39 |
Chart (2025) | Peak position |
---|---|
South Korea (Circle Download) [7] | 12 |
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
South Korea | September 1, 2025 | ||
Various |
|