TXT offers no-frills reality
Tomorrow X Tomorrow are storytellers who have meticulously crafted a through-line from release to release. Since making their debut with the youthful “The Dream Chapter: Star” in 2019, the five-member K-pop act has traversed the process of growing up.
“There’s a specific narrative that flows,” Taehyun, 21, tells USA TODAY. “It’s about the growth of a boy, and it’s kind of in chronological order.”
From the tumultuous transition of “The Chaos Chapter: Freeze” to the introspective conflict of “The Name Chapter: Temptation,” Tomorrow X Together has explored the group’s coming of age. Their new album, “The Name Chapter: Freefall,” out now, furthers this narrative.
Meet Tomorrow X Together
Composed of Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Hueningkai, Tomorrow X Together has taken the world by storm. Their music crosses genres including rock, R&B and pop. Their last EP “The Name Chapter: Temptation” landed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. In 2022, TXT were the first K-pop group to perform at Lollapalooza. In 2023, the group returned to the festival as headliners.
New challenges
On their new studio album, “we wanted to portray the reality as it is without any frills,” says Soobin, 22, the group’s leader. “We’re all incomplete, but you have the determination to go forward.”
In the past, the members delved into the ups and downs of maturing. But now they’re faced with fate. The title track, “Chasing That Feeling,” finds them holding on to nostalgia yet moving past what they’ve known.
“The biggest inspiration for me is our experiences, because all the songs (are about) everything we’ve either been through or will go through in the future,” says Yeonjun, 24.
“If you resonate with the music, I think the depth of music that you feel changes,” says Hueningkai, 21. This is something the members keep in mind while songwriting, especially when it comes to connecting with their fans, whom they lovingly call MOA, which stands for “moments of alwaysness.”
Growth through the years
Since the group’s debut, Tomorrow X Together has expertly tackled each concept thrown its way.
“We did all kinds of concepts from the very bubbly concept to the very dark and grungy,” says Beomgyu, 22. “Because we’ve tried so many different concepts, I think we now have a wider spectrum of music that we can pull off.”
Each track of “The Name Chapter: Freefall” sets up a different stage within TXT’s development.
“When we try out different genres, I think our understanding of music becomes deeper,” Soobin says. “I feel like we’re growing as artists.”
In their years together, the members have fostered appreciation for one another and all they’ve accomplished.
“There were of course good times and bad times, but we always really communicate well with each other,” Hueningkai says. “I don’t think there was a moment that was really too challenging or hard for me, thanks to all of them.”
A deep love for MOA
The group loves what they do because of their MOA.
“When we see the fans cheering for us, rooting for us, I feel like ‘Oh, I’m going on a right path and I’m doing well,’ ” Taehyun says. “These are the moments that I will cherish.”
They hope the group and its fans can grow together.
“I hope MOA could gather up their courage while listening to our music, because sometimes reality could be harsh,” Hueningkai says. “I hope that they get the energy from our music which makes them determined to go forward.”
“As MOA are to us, I hope that we can be consolation to MOA,” Soobin says. “I hope we are a good friend that they can rely on.”