[Review] N the Front – MONSTA X

Earlier this week, MONSTA X made their first album release since 2023 (as the majority of the group were carrying out their respective military enlistments) with their 13th mini-album, The X. The mini-album celebrates the group’s 10th anniversary since their 2014 debut. Leading the mini-album is the title track N the Front, and the pre-release Do What I Want (which I have already reviewed).

While it has been almost a week since N the Front dropped, the impression the song has left on me has been consistent. Put simply, N the Front is shouty and boastful, but it does so without much to it. While shouty and boastful can make a strong song (and this is definitely the potential N the Front has), I just felt the repetitiveness in this song leaves only the hook in mind and makes you forget the rest. If you were to ask me about what else is going on in the song, I couldn’t tell you about it. And that says a lot, given MONSTA X themselves and their songs are powerful. That is how I would describe the synth-based instrumental that forms the basis of N the Front. However, I couldn’t fully describe it without relistening to the track and tuning out the repetitive hook. Even the members themselves appeared to be overshadowed by the hook, though re-listening to N the Front for the purposes of this review has made me realise that the raps in particular are pretty strong, while the vocals (away from the chorus) were okay at best.

The music video shows the force and power behind MONSTA X, telling people around them not to mess with them. Otherwise, you might turn into green goo like the guy they tied up and relocated in the van via loud music. Other parts of the video convey a message that they are different and should be allowed to be themselves. I actually liked the various premises of the video, which include taking over a TV studio and commandeering a junior taekwondo class. The best part of the video has to be the bridge, as JOOHONEY and I.M are delivering the lines “Make the ground shake, bring the earthquake, Feel the floor crack, we are not fake“, and the people we see in the video are stomping along with the music. It is a very cool and commanding part of the video, which is why it is my favourite part of the song.

Despite recently going on hiatus for back pain and treatment, it is nice to see I.M participate in the promotions for the comeback. While he isn’t performing the choreography, he is still actively joining the members on stage throughout the performance to deliver his parts of N the Front. As for the choreography, it is definitely a powerful routine with a hip-hop influence that looks cool. I also enjoyed the bounce in the routine during the chorus.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10