After the huge success of their previous album, The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION, released in January 2023, which was able to land TXT a #1 spot on the Billboard Top 200, as well as the success from their title track “Sugar Rush Ride,” which won them the Push Performance of the Year award at the 2023 VMAs and much more, TXT is back with a new concept and new music from their new album, The Name Chapter: FREEFALL.
TXT or Tomorrow x [by] Together, is a five-member group that debuted under BigHit Entertainment in March of 2019, and have since become one of the biggest fourth-generation K-Pop boy groups in the world. The group consists of Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and HueningKai. Together the group has been able to collaborate with other big artists such as Coi Leray, Anitta, and even the Jonas Brothers.
The Name Chapter: FREEFALL,TXT’s 3rd full-length album, released on October 13, 2023. The album has a total of 10 tracks, “Growing Pain”, “Chasing That Feeling”, “Back For More” (TXT ver), “Dreamer”, “Deep Down”, “Happily Ever After”, “물수제비(Skipping Stones)”, “Blue Spring”, “Do It Like That”, and “Chasing That Feeling” (English Version). The album contains a total of three English songs.
Throughout the entirety of the album, there were several different genres produced. Going from rock and alternative rock to R&B, and even including some disco. Truly this album included something for everyone. The members were also heavily involved in the writing of the album. More specifically Yeonjun, who was credited for five tracks as a songwriter, and Beomgyu, who was credited as producer for their eighth track “Blue Spring”. The album overall focuses on the struggles of not wanting to grow up and trying to delay adulthood, but eventually coming back to face reality.
While listening to the album I can confidently say that my go-to songs were definitely “Growing Pain”, “Back For More”, and “Blue Spring”. These three songs are all so different from each other, with different meanings too, it’s hard not to like them. I find myself replaying them the most. Though these three songs are my favorite, I would consider all songs to be amazing as well.
“Growing Pain”: This is the first track off of the album. It is also the loudest and most exciting song on the album. It gets you going with its hard rock and heavy metal sound. The song starts with electric guitar and drums playing in the background. The guitar and drums combined with the dreamy tones used by the members throughout the song only made this song so much better. Not to mention, the “oooooo”s in the background added to the experience. The lyrics “don’t know how to fly, but I’m gonna try to let go” really give meaning to the song. It talks about the struggles one faces while growing up. “Growing Pain” focuses on the overall meaning of the album. It is a song most people can relate to.
“Chasing That Feeling”: The title track of the album. It’s a track that takes you back to the 80s with its new wave sound. This is also a track you can listen to completely in English since there is an English version featured at the end of the album. While listening to this song it reminded me a lot of the song “Take On Me” by Weezer. Not so much for the lyrics or pace of the song, more or so because of the background music. It sounded very similar, except it was slowed and toned down a bit. The song overall talks about new beginnings and leaving behind the past while moving on. Unlike some of their previous songs, this song really focuses on the pain of reality, “Growing pains all over my body, feels like I’m on fire/Though it hurts a little, burn and fall like a shooting star”.
“Back For More” (TXT ver.): ‘ it is a song about the connection between two people and how everything is better and makes more sense when they are together, “When I’m with you it all feels different when I’m with you it all makes sense.” This song originally featured Anitta, however, on the album they replaced her lyrics with new ones that were sung by Yeonjun and HueningKai. This is a pop song with disco added to it. Towards the middle of the song, you can hear a whistle type of sound in the background music. This only adds to the song and makes it sound even better. During the bridge of the song, Yeonjun and Taehyun are heard singing, “Oh-oh Oh Ah, ta-da-da, ah Ooh Ah, ta-da-da, ah If you walk out the door Ooh-ooh Ow When I’m with you, when I’m with you (Come on)”, all while the whistle sound is playing. This is probably my favorite part of the song because you can truly hear Yeonjun’s vocal ability since he’s usually deemed as the rapper of the group, even though they have no official positions.
“Happily Ever After”: The song with the fastest pace and rhythm. It is a song with an optimistic and cheerful feel to it. It’s also a classic TXT b-side track. The song in general has a fairytale concept to it. It talks about how even if life isn’t as perfect as it seems in a story, one would prefer to ignore that and create their own story, “Life is not a fairy tale (Fairy tale) what if we don’t know? I actually like it, La-la-la-la-la-la, I love all my days (Love all my days), all my life, never-ending tales”. Aside from the lyrics, It is a song that makes you want to get up and dance, especially with the “La-la-la”s in the background which keeps the fairy tale concept alive. My only complaint with this song is that Beomgyu didn’t get any lines to sing.
“Blue Spring”: Possibly the most meaningful song on the album. It is a song from TXT to MOA, their fanbase. The song starts with the lyrics, “When we’re high when we’re low, you’re always by my side,” which signifies that MOA will always be by TXT’s side no matter what part of their career they are in. The song is about finding calm and comfort in someone no matter the time. This is a very calm and meaningful song with rap included in some parts and a clam guitar playing in the background. What makes this song more special is that all of the members were involved in the writing process and Beomgyu also helped produce it. It was first sung live in their concert in Seoul during their tour, “ACT: SWEET MIRAGE”. They were unsure if it would fit the concept of the album but eventually decided to add it. It is a beautiful song with a lot of meaning to MOAs.
“Do It Like That”: A song by TXT and the Jonas Brothers, released three months before the actual album on July 07, 2023. In obvious Jonas Brothers style it’s got guitar and drums in the background. A catchy song about being so in love with your partner, it seems like everything they do is just perfect. The song starts with Nick Jonas singing “You get me so off track, yeah, been spinnin’ for miles,” emphasizing the obsession they have with their partner. It is a song that is fun to dance to, especially if you know the choreo. Not to mention, an easy song to sing along to. I would consider this a fun summer song that is worth the listen.
After listening to the album MANY times, I can argue that it’s definitely one you can’t get tired of. Therefore, I’m giving this album a 9/10. It’s got music for everyone, with different sounds and beats not to mention great lyrics. TXT always knocks it out of the park with their music. You never know what to expect from them which always leaves you questioning what their next album will bring. Though I understand K-Pop might not be everyone’s interest, I would still recommend giving some of the songs a listen. It was nice seeing TXT continue to explore the genre that is rock, as well as exploring new genres. I am excited to see what they have planned in the future.
