Monsta X Release Highly Anticipated 9th Mini Album, “One Of A Kind”

Worldwide phenomenon, Monsta X, officially released their 9th mini-album, One Of A Kind. Accompanying this release is the music video for focus track, “GAMBLER,” which you can watch here. One Of A Kind marks the band’s first Korean album release of 2021, following Fatal Love in November 2020; which Teen Vogue referred to as a “flashy hit.”

The tracks behind this mini-album were meticulously curated in order to highlight 100% of Monsta X’s purity. The title One Of A Kind came to fruition in order to show the fierce style of Monsta X, through stronger-than-ever teamwork, grand blockbuster scale visuals and movie-like music videos. They successfully did just that with the video for focus track “GAMBLER”;with Billboard stating “The Oceans Eleven-style heist visual for the finger-snapping R&B slow-burner finds the six-piece band playing a team of bespoke thieves scheming to steal a treasure from an auction and blacking out the city with a bomb.”

Speaking into the mic, “If you don’t know, now you know,” Joohoney’s luring voice kicks off the focus track “GAMBLER”; leading you into a world of rising tension and unexpected guitar riffs. This track represents the fatal masculinity of Monsta X and highlights their beast-like appearance; with lyrics referring to “love as a gamble.” This focus track depicts an exchanged glance between lovers, while exploring irresistible feelings and a strong attraction, to a point where one is ready to bet on everything. The message of “GAMBLER” compares the breathtaking moment of temptation into a suspenseful game, which is further showcased throughout the music video; showcasing the mysterious mood of a beloved woman and the emotion of a man falling into her, while eyeing each other. The story takes place within a secret auction; which is held to sneakily deliver an odd thrill in a densely plotted composition and mysterious mood of a crime movie. Joohoney states confidently “it’s a song that’s unforgettable; a song that you keep wanting to listen to; a song that you want to repeat after. I’d like to say that it’s literally the best song.” 

Consisting of seven tracks, the members have continued to expand their musical territory by participating in composing, producing, and songwriting throughout this whole album. Rapper Joohoney, taking the helm as the main producer for the title track “GAMBLER” for the first time in six years, also contributed to the rest of the tracklist. Rapper I.M, who recently dropped his first solo mini-album Duality, which Teen Vogue referred to as “profound and gripping,” also left his name on credits throughout this whole album. “Rotate” in particular was written, composed and arranged by I.M, in which he states; “the track is about flowing chemistry, which doesn’t require further explanation.” Hyungwon, who is also active as DJ H.ONE, participated in producing his self-composed track for the second time since his debut on the track “BEBE.” Hyungwon says “I’ve always wanted to write a song dedicated to my fans, and this was a great opportunity for me to make that wish come true. I want them to feel loved by me, and us Monsta X, and realize how much we love and think of them.”