Pahul Nanra, New Delhi and Aanchal Tekriwal, Godda, Jharkhand

TXT will charm you with their darker side in their album “Chaos Chapter: Freeze“

Following the gradual successes of the ‘Dream Chapter’ album series, TXT: TOMORROW×TOGETHER are turning the page while taking us back to their chapter series with their second full-length album The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE. The album is replete with great charm, musicality and hue and needless to say, the quintet consisting of members- Soobin (leader), Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Heuningkai (maknae), completely blew away their fans, MOA and avid listeners alike. Before TXT expressed their emotions with distinct analogies and different objects and showed their innermost thoughts while using unique metaphors but they now convey their feelings manifestly.

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They are brought back to the real world where they cope with angst, and questions about friendship, and life during the pandemic. With FREEZE, the group chooses to live and love, even while knowing that it won’t last forever. As positioned as ‘Leaders of K-pop’s 4th Generation’ and voices of the global teen experience they convey the chaos, suffocation, and love of youth through this album. This comeback was based on a punk-rock concept, catering to rock and punk music lovers while also displaying that there are no definite positions allotted to anyone in the group. The album consists of 8 tracks, spanning across pop, rock, punk, alternative, and disco genres. 

_{Picture Credits: BIGHIT MUSIC}

Anti-Romantic

The eight-track album kicks off with Anti-Romantic, a classic R&B infused with a soft ballad. It’s a song about how profound falling in and out of love has an effect on your youth. This is the first track of the album in which the boys sing about being anti-romantic as they don’t believe in the existence of love anymore. From effulgent highs to those of break-ups that make you feel as if you are drifting in the sands of time. It ditches rom-coms and love songs altogether. As Yeonjun said this song is emotional and energetic at the same time. Anti-Romantic exceeded expectations, especially with the group’s debut performance of the song during their comeback show on Mnet. It’s a catchy song that you can’t refrain from singing if you give it a listen. A very enchanting and dreamy melody harmonized with their stellar vocals.

The sweet melody is easy on the ears, as the boys sing in a melancholic and designated manner, about knowing the bittersweet end to a romance. The soothing vocals of all the members stand out as they brilliantly carry the despair of not being able to put faith in romance anymore. Same pinch, if your heart broke as well while giving this song a listen *dramatically sobs*

0x1=Love Song (I Know I Love You) feat. Seori

The title track for this album “0×1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)”, features singer-songwriter Seori. Many artists contributed to the song, including RM from BTS. The instrumentation is heavy and grandiose throughout, starting with a drum beat drop and a heavenly chorus of vocals. The lyrics expressed their deep desperation and sorrow that the eternity they have dreamed of won’t put a stop to their void. As in the music video, Yeonjun runs away from home, putting his game down and leaving his parents behind. The boys were once able to be together in their own fantasy world but now the world is gone and the only thing left for him is the reality where his parents are fighting right behind him and all he can do is play games. In this song, they clearly showed that unlike the fantasy world reality is inescapable. It’s an energetic song of a hybrid pop-rock genre, and the member’s delicate voices mixed with Seori’s dreamy voice leave a deep impression on the listener.

The atmospheric ‘ohs‘ and the drumbeat, in the beginning, set the tone for the song as we swept along on a wave of passionate and raspy vocals yet echoing spaces in the melody. While singing about how in this ‘ zero world ‘ their angel is their ‘one & only .’

Magic

The third track on the album is the group’s first English track (2019’s ‘Cat & Dog’ was originally in Korean before an alternate English-language version was released). “Magic” displays a disco influence and takes after early 2000s pop songs. The groovy pop number spotlights the member’s prominent vocals. The MV for this song was filmed in Jasmil Stadium in Seoul. The MV clearly showed the concept of this song with the staggering science fiction concept that in a world of ice (emotionless robots). This one is a light-hearted dance-pop track that is sure to get everyone on their feet, grooving to ‘everybody clap your hands if you got a broken heart just take a chance‘. Also not forgetting the music video that is stunning! 

Ice-Cream

The fourth track on the album is a funky pop with a hint of childhood nostalgia, but the sweet melodies hide the unexpectedly darker concept. The literal meaning of the Korean title of this song is small evil deeds. The intro to the song mimics the sounds of an ice cream truck surrounded by the crowds of kids giving the childhood summer vibes. The part where they say ‘I scream/ You scream/ We all scream/ For ice cream yeah as if we all are screaming looking for happiness because it’s something we all are desperate about’. Through Ice Cream they sink deeper into the misery and search for ways to bring others down with them. The heavy wordplay for the lyrics is so well put by Soobin. The contrast between the melodies and lyrics makes this song so unique.

A deeper look at the lyrics reveals that ice-creams alludes to wishes and dreams; as the boys pretend to be little kids that make wishes but soon face the realization, as the harsh reality hits them and their desires and wishes don’t come true. Thus secretly hoping for everyone to meet the same despair fate. This track is brilliant and ingenious, reflecting TXT’s trademark; cloaking dark lyrics in a bright melody. While also reminding us that it’s okay to have little evil thoughts from time to time, its only human nature.

What If I Had Been That Puma

The Korean title of the song (밸런스 게임) means Balance Game. The song is a heavy bass number with the stylistically striking auto-tune making it more potent. On ‘What If I Had Been That PUMA’ is a big nod to ‘The Dream Chapter: Eternity’s PUMA’, as it’s the tale of a big cat breaking out of the zoo; the band returns to the dream of living in a video game. This song is a musical and lyrical masterpiece with so much underlying meaning, giving us a metaphor of PUMA which is trapped inside a cage with two choices either stay or suffer. The hardest part of making choices is the burden of the choice itself, rather than the consequences, like dominos one wrong choice can leave your world crumbled that’s why this song is called Balance
Game.

The track proves why TXT is considered to be the representative of their generation. While the melody itself is fun and upbeat, the lyrics highlight the struggle that the youth faces when they are forced to choose between options and make a decision whose effects could be lifelong. The boys sing in a hurried manner, which can be alluded to how youngsters are rushed to make decisions. I’m sure all of us resonate with this song. So, a big thank you to the boys for expressing our feelings. 

No Rules

“No Rules” is a funky and refreshing retro dance pop perfect for summer. This song is a serotonin boost compounded by killer choreography and amazing rap skills. This song has a connection with their ‘Magic’s’ track “New Rules”. In New Rules they wanted to break out of the boring and meticulously structured way of their life. But now when everyone’s lives have been restricted by the Covid, those whose youth has been put on hold and they now have been caught up between strings. This song showed the frustration of being robbed of one’s freedom and fun. This song is simply bursting with youthful energy, so vigorous and refreshing. Herein, the members voice their frustration at not being able to go out due to the current situation and have fun, while rebelling as all teenagers do. 

Dear Sputnik 

Dear Sputnik, a masterpiece produced by HueningKai fills up that pop-punk void with instruments and gang vocals. The Russian word ‘Sputnik’ means ‘companion’ or literally ‘something that is travelling with a traveller’. Sputnik 1 was the first artificial Earth satellite which emitted a ‘beep beep…beep’ signal back to Earth until its battery died. I think this song has some reference to this satellite and also talks about the lyrics it’s so exquisitely written. One of my favourite lines from the song is ‘Across the loneliness\Fly in the blue sky\We will engrave“eternity among the starlight’. I really love the beautiful lyricism in the song. This is the track where we witness the rocker side of TXT. The whole song is infused with rich guitar notes and drum beats. The pre-chorus particularly stands out as an electric guitar accompanies a haunting tune and we are immediately transported to the highly pumped-up chorus. Dear Sputnik shows the boy’s growth musically and how far they have come.

Frost 

The closing track of the album Frost with its ominous synths and all snapping tap beats made the song a perfect dizzying backdrop and hybrid pop. It’s like a villain theme song. HueningKai starts the song by sing-talking and laughing almost maniacally. Taehyun’s demi growls with the harmonies of the rest of members made it clearly stand out vocally. Also talking about the painful borderline shouting lyrics, this song ends the album on an Ashnikko–style bang.

The last track of the album is an absolute banger and according to me, their most ambitious one yet. The lyrics follow along with the storyline of their fictional universe and talk about the boys having ‘lost their minds‘ amidst the chaos and confusion. Their vocal versatility and abilities shine through as they accurately convey their emotions through the course, sometimes harsh voices, and wicked laughs. This one is perfect for venting out your anger alongside them in this rock, trap, and hip-hop song. 

As we end this thrilling rollercoaster of a ride we can see how much the boys have evolved. From each member participating in songwriting and producing one song or the other to showing us new vocal and visual styles, every box on the list has been checked off. This comeback will stay with you for a long time!

Tell us in the comment section which is your favourite song from the album!