'Trust-and-listen-performer' Monsta X (MONSTA X) Jooheon returns with an even more intense comeback as a solo artist.
According to his agency Starship Entertainment, Jooheon will release his mini 2nd album "光 (INSANITY)" ("Gwang Insanity") today (5th) at 6 p.m. (KST) on various online music sites. Then at 8 p.m., he will hold a special comeback live on Monsta X's official YouTube channel.
This comeback live will be the first opportunity to communicate with fans immediately after the new release, and will be filled with rich content ranging from behind-the-scenes stories of the work to album unboxing and new live stages that stimulate the eyes and ears. Through the live, Jooheon plans to directly convey the message contained in this album, his deeper musical world, and his sincerity as a solo artist.
"光 (INSANITY)" is Jooheon's new release about 2 years and 8 months after his solo debut album and mini 1st album "Lights (LIGHTS)", which was released in May 2023. Jooheon plans to expand the concept of "light" he dealt with in his previous work into "gwang" (gwang meaning to shine, or to be mad) and develop the music based on a firmer and more three-dimensional worldview.
In addition to writing, composing, and producing all the tracks on the album, Jooheon's narrative that continues the light worldview and the flashy lineup of features that cross eras and genres stand out. The title track "STING (Feat. Muhammad Ali)(hereafter 'STING')" is a song that most precisely embodies the image of the "bee" that symbolizes Jooheon. With charismatic performance and powerful rap combined, it is expected to emit a fast, sharp presence and allow listeners to feel Jooheon's distinctive intense energy.
Jooheon, who debuted with Monsta X in 2015, has served as the group's main rapper and producer and has presented numerous hit songs. Even before his solo debut, he stood out on overseas charts such as Billboard and iTunes with mixtapes containing his unique color, strengthening his global influence, and he proved the capabilities he had steadily built up with his first solo album "Lights." With the new release "光 (INSANITY)" that deals with expanded music and worldview and the title track "STING," Jooheon is expected to deliver another powerful resonance to the music world. Ahead of the comeback, he shared questions and answers about the new release.
The following is the full Q&A with Jooheon.
Q1. You return as a solo artist after 2 years and 8 months. How do you feel?
I feel really good, and I'm excited to be able to share new music. Above all, I released my first solo album before enlisting, and it's personally meaningful to release a second album after being discharged.
Q2. Since you wrote, composed, and produced this album "光 (INSANITY)", how did you decide on the tracklist, and what story did you want to tell?
I kept the track structure the same as the first album and focused on the emotions and feelings experienced from track 1 through the final track 7. In particular, I drew a worldview that continues from the first album: while the first album "Lights (LIGHTS)" talked about "when darkness is deep, light becomes stronger" through light, this second album expresses the message "you have to go crazy to shine" through "gwang"—to shine and to be mad. The worldview started from the question of "what must everyone in a dark world do to have strength and shine brightly," and I hope people see that the artist 'Jooheon' continues to expand the light worldview with his vision and realization about light.
Q3. The featuring lineup stands out, from Muhammad Ali voice sampling to Tiger JK and IVE's Rei. Was there a special reason Muhammad Ali's voice was included in the title track, and how was the chemistry with the other features?
First, it's an honor to include the legendary Muhammad Ali's quote "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." I am often called 'Honey' (JOOHONEY→HONEY) by fans, and many people have likened me to a honeybee, so I wondered if there was a theme that could express the "bee" and Muhammad Ali's quote came to mind. I wanted to give positive energy to myself and many others through the confidence of flying toward a dream and striking precisely at the target, achieving set goals exactly. As for IVE's Rei, I've always really liked her vocal tone. I thought about how more people could feel Rei's charm and then worked together, and I'm really grateful to Rei for participating willingly.
Q4. What kind of song is the title track "STING," and what message or listening points did you want to convey in the lyrics?
It's a song themed on Muhammad Ali's quote, and it's a hip-hop track that carries the scent of the strong-feeling mixtapes I made in the past that I also like. As a rapper who can perform, I hope people see it as an intense song where powerful, stylish choreography and music harmonize well.
Q5. Besides the title track, if you had to pick just one recorded track that you feel most attached to, which would it be?
The track I feel attached to is "NO BRAIN NO PAIN." This song resembles Monsta X's songs "Stand Up," "I Love You," and my mini 1st album track "Don't Worry Be Happy." Although people think we mainly do intense music, I have always included warm songs like this in Monsta X's albums and my albums. This song similarly contains that warmth and blends in a refreshing rock sound that makes it even more moving. In particular, the song delivers a message about breaking through a reality where overthinking prevents you from doing anything, and it came out with my military experience and my belief "just do it, just go." As it's a phrase I have tattooed on my body, I hope it becomes a precious song for me and for Monbebe.
Q6. The striking visuals such as the boxing concept are a hot topic; was there any visual point you wanted to emphasize?
The points are 'competition, sweat, perseverance, passion.' Boxing has romance, and I think it is a sport where you compete on the ring to prove the efforts you have built up, so I wanted to express that kind of passion.
Q7. One of the messages of this album, "you have to go crazy to shine," is striking. Was there a moment when you became that immersed yourself?
Every moment is immersion for me. Otherwise, my mind isn't at ease. Of course I get tired at times, but I always want to do my best with what is given, and I think how you pull yourself together and start again is important. I want to live immersing myself and making efforts in every moment, and I want to be that crazy about it! I believe only then can I shine more than anyone.
Q8. Please say a word to Monbebe who love you.
My beloved Monbebe, I put all my passion into every album, but I think this album especially suits "passion" and most closely resembles the existing "Jooheon." I hope you give it a lot of love as I worked hard, and Monbebe are a more precious light to me than anyone, so I want to say let's all shine wildly together in this promotion. From this solo album to group activities, and we also have Monsta X's new world tour coming up after a long time, so we're preparing with really excited hearts—please look forward to it. I love you, Monbebe!<
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