Group Monsta X member Kihyun firmly cements his color as vocalist Kihyun, not Monsta X's main vocalist.
Monsta X Kihyun will release the full audio of his second mini album 'BORDERLINE' (Borderline) and the music video for the title track 'So Good' (So Good) at 6 p.m. on the 7th on various music sites.
The new release Borderline is an album that captures Kihyun's journey of discovering and following his own path rather than a predetermined one. The trailers and concept photos released so far sequentially depicted the process of deciding to embark on the journey, standing at the starting line, and then finding a new path, conveying the narrative contained in the album. With a total of seven tracks announced through the tracklist, expectations are building for how Kihyun will complete this story through music.
The title track So Good is a song that features rising guitar sounds and Kihyun's explosive vocals, capturing the moment of deciding to trust one's own senses and choices in a world that constantly demands the right answer. Through this song, Kihyun intends to deliver a message that long-held doubts and solidly accumulated experience lead to conviction and freedom.
Preparing for a solo comeback after about three years and nine months, Kihyun, who held an interview with OSEN, solidifies his identity as a solo vocalist through So Good. Regarding the process of selecting the title track for this album, Kihyun said, "It wasn't easy to choose because among the seven included tracks, four were strong candidates for the title track, so there were many very dynamic songs," and added, "We dragged it out until a day before the deadline without deciding, and I finally decided because I thought I would really regret it if I didn't make this the title track."
So Good was chosen as a rock-based song suitable for outdoor festivals. Kihyun explained, "From the moment I received the song, I felt it was the kind of song I could sing at festivals, so I saved it in the 'Festival ST' folder." The company recommended songs such as Domino, Borderline, and Stealin' Air and even conducted blind tests, but Kihyun said he strongly pushed for So Good because, by removing excess from the beginning, it fit him best right now.
He also clearly pointed out the differences in vocal usage between group and solo activities. Kihyun said, "When singing Monsta X's songs, intense dancing and choreography accompany them, so you can't use your voice freely and have to insist on higher or stable tones," and analyzed the freedom he feels as a solo vocalist, saying, "On my solo album I can produce heavy tones and various sounds and change them as appropriate."
The approach to the weight of roles was also completely different between the group and solo. Kihyun said, "When I am the main vocalist I play the role of completing the song with short parts within a long song and delivering the climax." But as a solo artist, he explained, "There is the burden of having to craft the whole arc from beginning to end, while at the same time there is the freedom to do it my way, so the range is very different."
In particular, in So Good Kihyun freely infused the vocal style he has long admired. He said, "From when I first heard the song I felt a Britpop vibe that would be perfect sung in a slightly husky voice I've wanted since I was young," and added, "My voice isn't completely undamaged, but I tried to include many somewhat bright, clear vocals that can convey both lyrical parts and freshness. It's a song that can now help define my vocal color."
Monsta X members also gave wholehearted support to Kihyun's solo path. Kihyun said, "Because the vibe is so different from the group, members were confused at first, but Joohoney, who writes songs, listened to the monitor and cheered that 'this seems right to do,'" and added, "Youngest member IM, who is in the military, was worried at first about the song's high difficulty, but after listening to the recording he gave feedback that it was really good, which gave me more confidence," expressing gratitude to the members. (Interview 3 to follow.)<
[OSEN]