ALL ABOUT LUV

*ALL ABOUT LUV* is a momentum shift for the South Korean EDM/rap/pop group, who has released some of K-pop’s most enthralling numbers (“Shoot Out,” “Hero,” “Follow,” “Alligator”). For their first all-English-language album, MONSTA X embraced a smooth Western pop style that fits them like a summer suit—stylish and modern but not too dressy. According to lead rapper I.M, they wanted to make their message of love accessible to more people during turbulent times. “There are a lot of ways to express love,” I.M tells Apple Music. “I think love is really hard to define. I think love is the best thing to do \[for\] humanity. That’s why we named it *ALL ABOUT LUV*.” The album unfolds like 11 crush notes, showing love’s highs, lows, and complexities. It’s softly lit, both in wattage and mood. The vocal unit carries the bag on ballads like “SOMEONE’S SOMEONE,” “YOU CAN’T HOLD MY HEART,” and “SHE’S THE ONE.” The rap unit gets busy on upbeat tracks like “MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT” and with collaborators Pitbull (“BESIDE U”) and French Montana (“WHO DO U LOVE?”). will.i.am adds a remix, as well. There’s also a sexual awakening in a few of the tracks. “GOT MY NUMBER” is a thirst tweet set to melodic EDM pop. “MISBEHAVE” is a ballad detailing make-up whoopee and drunken naked romps around the hotel pool. MONSTA X are K-pop innovators, and *ALL ABOUT LUV* signals the group’s confident arrival into the global pop conversation. “I want to communicate with more US fans,” lead vocalist Kihyun tells Apple Music. “The best language is music.”