Though they haven’t achieved the same global notoriety as some of their peers, Monsta X have been steadily plugging away at the American market, releasing their fair share of English-language material. Today, they’re out with a new album of this material. Of course, appealing to a market outside of your own often includes conforming to that market’s tastes, and mainstream American pop isn’t exactly in a great place right now.
Many pop critics have taken note of a certain type of “conservative” soft rock (*cough cough* Alex Warren) trending on American charts and I can’t help but think Starship Entertainment took note of this in the brief for Monsta X’s Heal. It’s practically their version of Ordinary minus the religious undertones. The production whips things into a fervor with the occasional jolt of gospel-style background vocals, but most of Heal is the sort of toothless, sentimental radio rock that’s designed to pacify as wide a swath of listeners as possible. The sound is elevated by Monsta X’s performance, but this is not what I turn to my K-pop idols for — English release or not.
My stance with pop music has always been “make them come to you rather than kowtowing to them.” This is obviously a fan’s perspective and not always the most profitable approach, but I wince when I hear interesting, idiosyncratic artists record something they *think* a foreign audience might like instead of offering their own sound for those adventurous enough to explore it. It comes off as a quick cash grab, and unfortunately that’s all I can really hear in Heal.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 6 |
| RATING | 7 |
Grade: C-
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Omg this is bad LMAO, I don’t even want to listen to the album. It’s hard to believe that the same guys who perform the banger Do what I want, from last year, are the same guys playing the mormon pop-boy role.
I know K-pop acts basically abandon the identity and sound they’ve built with their Korean music as soon as they start catering to the United States market, but holy cow, at least make a banger, not this.
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There’s a couple of decent funk/dance tracks toward the end of the album but otherwise it’s a skip.
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And anyway there are a few proofs that you can target the US market without completely betraying your K-Pop roots like this. I have some sympathy for Monsta X, in general, but this is definitely their most unexplainable stuff from a strategic point of view.
Needless to say, if it works they’re right and we’re wrong. Otherwise (and I wouldn’t say it’s gonna work)…
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I was looking back on staycs reviews and was very surprised to see that Nick liked love fool and enough to give it a buried treasure review!(surprised since it’s subdued and I didn’t think he typically like those types of songs)
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They’ve flirted with this sound on bsides in their Korean and Japanese discography, as well as some solos, before so this isn’t totally out of left field. I liked it, and I don’t think it’s nearly as bad as some on here are making it out to be, though it is far, far away from their best work. There’s some good tracks on the album, but I think ‘The Dreaming’ still takes the top spot for me.
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I turned to my kids this afternoon in the Lyft and asked them “which one is this” for the nth guy singing a song just like this on the radio.
In her current avuncular style, darling daughter said her quick “no idea”.
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this is not the christian horse girl music we want
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No, it’s mormon donkey boy music 😭
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“HEAL” by MONSTA X is an emotionally charged track that stands out for its blend of powerful vocals, impactful lyrics, and dynamic production. The song touches on themes of healing, self-empowerment, and emotional growth. The lyrics convey a message of overcoming hardships and finding inner peace, resonating deeply with listeners who may be facing their own challenges.
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MonstaX fan so….I like it! I don’t think it’s bad, I don’t think it’s great, and I definitely think it should not have been the TT. I enjoyed listening to the album and added a few songs to the playlist (Baby Blue, Heal, Growing Pains and Main Attraction). I’d give it an 8
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ewww doesn’t come close to baby blue
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