Monsta X have been moving between Korean and English-language releases, shoring up both fanbases as they enter a new stage of their career. New single Magic is co-produced by the prolific Dem Jointz, whose “iiiiincooomminnng!” producer tag has begun to wear on me. It’s gotten to the point where I expect the worst the moment I hear it, but thankfully Magic has a few surprises up its sleeve.
I don’t associate Dem Jointz-produced songs with big choruses, but Magic‘s hook is its biggest and splashiest moment. The verses are hit or miss, often feeling as if they’re just killing time. It’s become very common for pop songs to vacillate between two distinct energies: murky and dull segueing into explosive. I’ll always prefer “explosive all the way through” if that’s the song you’re attempting to create, but I guess producers prefer an easier way to build contrast.
Because of its approach, Magic is quite frustrating. There’s a cool harmonic bit right after the chorus that promises musical theater but never takes it further. A hint of sonic drama like this only makes me wish the rest of the track had a greater point of view driving it. I also dig the cool electronic textures that open verse two, but they never appear again as the track prefers its more predictable path. What we end up with is an “almost there” song with a few great peaks muddied by an overall lack of ambition.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
Grade: C+
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
There are some sonic flavors of “you calling my name” but instead of getting quieter in the chorus it got louder. I … I think I actually like it. I say yes.
LikeLike
The opening was a bit too cringey for me and I am not sure using Harry Potter “wingardiun leviosa” in the rap parts was such a good idea. The chorus melody was not bad, but the verses feels to choppy to be enjoyed, like its not flowing well enough. I wonder why they chose this song as title track when SURVIVOR another song in the album was such a BOP..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suppose they thought using Harry Potter levitation magic chant “wingardium leviosa” in the song might help to levitate the song in the chart too
LikeLike
Yes! Survivor is such a better song and I’m kind of mad they didn’t choose this as the title track. Honestly I like all the other tracks, except for Type X, much better than Magic.
LikeLike
Whenever I see “Dem Jointz” it makes me think of the word “disjointed,” which is also this song.
LikeLike
I feel I need to quote that commenter from the KiiiKiii video since I told them my fave group almost never gets great reviews on here lol.
On a serious note I’m not really vibing with this one. I like the chorus and bits of the instrumental but that’s about it, and I think they could have gone with several of the bsides as the title track instead. I’ve heard worse from them but I’ve also heard so much better, so this is middle of the pack/near the bottom for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holy shit it’s so mid.
Are we done with Dem Jointz yet or what? Man has like 2 bangers to his name and 20 misses.
LikeLike