Monsta X Rapper, I.M, Releases His Solo Mini Album "DUALITY" and "God Damn" Video
I.M, Rapper of K-pop group Monsta X, has released his highly anticipated Solo Digital Mini Album, DUALITY, which Metro UK referred to as "...a chill, trap-inspired five-track record best listened to on a long night time drive." This release comes about two years after his solo mixtape, HORIZON. Not only did I.M contribute to composing and arranging on DUALITY, but he also wrote the lyrics for all five tracks. The release of DUALITY is meant to solidify his musicality as a member of Monsta X, but also expand his own world of music on a solo level. Accompanying the Mini Album, I.M has also released the music video for “God Damn,” the focus track.
DUALITY is a metaphorical album that depicts I.M’s intense inner confessions, more specifically he talks about the difference between the outside and inside of one’s thoughts and mind. The focus track "God Damn” plays a role of center-play for this album, talking about the feelings of having no choice but to “lie to myself about being happy even if I’m not.” The music video for "God Damn" expresses a sense of freedom without knowing exactly where it comes from, and finding one's hope out from the wander. The emotional lyrics are implemented through the video, with visuals of ones gathered around the concert hall with a void in their heart; their gaze feels somewhat strange but familiar at the same time. The album's message raises questions about his own existence, which is quite different from the usual music of Monsta X.
The process of finding one's true identity through the gap between the ideal world and reality has been projected through all five tracks on the album. With the track “Howlin,” I.M talks about ups and downs in life, and the track “Burn” is about letting things go without dwelling on the past. His fourth track “Happy To Die” tells the story of being at peace in this very moment, with lyrics such as “I wanna get lost here forever. You brought me back to the real love.” The happiness that one is facing right now, moment by moment, could be the very last, and in this moment “I am happy to die right now, cause I’m happy.” NME stated “I.M shared that his inspiration came from one of Jim Carrey’s lines in the 2004 movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: “I could die right now”. The rest, he added matter-of-factly (or cryptically), is up for interpretation. The last track “시든 꽃(Flower-ed)” is like a poem to a loved one containing the message of consolation and empathy.
Listen to “DUALITY” right now, stream it on Apple Music and connect with I.M on his social media.