Phenomenon is the second Japanese-language studio album of the South Korean boy group Monsta X. It was released and distributed by Universal Music Japan on August 21, 2019. It is also the last Japanese album to feature Wonho, who left the group in October 2019.
Background and release The album was announced on June 18, 2019 as a surprise announcement, following a live performance. The album contains nine main tracks, with special tracks varying by versions. The album included two previously released Japanese versions of the Korean title tracks "Alligator" and "Shoot Out".
The title track "X-Phenomenon" was pre-released on July 15, 2019 ahead of the album's full release. A music video was simultaneously released for the song.
Like their previous Japanese album, the album was released in three versions for the physical release; the regular version, and limited editions A and B. The regular version has the special track "Thriller", and limited editions A and B have the special tracks "Champagne" and "Polaroid", respectively.
In August and September 2019, following the release of the album, Monsta X held a Japanese tour.
Critical reception Chris Gillett of SCMP wrote that Phenomenon, with the exception of the Japanese versions of "Alligator" and "Shoot Out", presented "a different sound from their previous album Take.2 We Are Here", with "a less of the EDM focused style" and "a more aggressive tone".
Commercial performance "Livin' It Up" and the Japanese versions of "Alligator" and "Shoot Out" were all certified gold singles by RIAJ.
The album sold more than 56,000 copies in Japan, and debuted at number two on both Oricon Albums Chart and Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart.
Track listing
Charts Album Weekly charts + Chart performance for Phenomenon Chart (2019) Peakposition Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) 2 Japanese Albums (Oricon) 2
Songs Weekly charts
+ Chart performance for "Livin' It Up" Chart (2018) Peakposition Japan Hot 100 (Billboard Japan) 3 Japanese Singles (Oricon) 3
+ Chart performance for "Shoot Out" (Japanese version) Chart (2019) Peakposition Japan Hot 100 (Billboard Japan) 2 Japanese Singles (Oricon) 2
+ Chart performance for "Alligator" (Japanese version) Chart (2019) Peakposition Japan Hot 100 (Billboard Japan) 2 Japanese Singles (Oricon) 2
Certification and sales Region Work Certification Certified units/Sales Album Japan Phenomenon — 56,244 Songs Japan (RIAJ)Certifications:
"Livin' It Up" Gold 126,895 Cumulative sales for Livin' It Up:
"Shoot Out" (Japanese version) Gold 158,089 Cumulative sales for Shoot Out:
"Alligator" (Japanese version) Gold 170,292
References