Album: Tomorrow X Together - The Star Chapter: Sanctuary

South Korean quintet TXT's latest mini-album delivers six meticulously crafted tracks that showcase the group's evolving artistry through everything from dreamy pop to reggaeton to classic R&B.

With its stripped back arrangement – some ethereal guitar chords here, an unforgettably chirpy three-note descending synth riff there, plus vocal lines that flow and blend mellifluously – album opener “Heaven” delivers the mini-album's first and perhaps most memorable earworm.

Lead single "Over The Moon" begins in similarly dreamy fashion, and while soulful electric piano and string pads initially hint at a ballad tempo, drums and a butter-smooth bass line kick in to reveal a much harder hitting sound which is later bolstered by the addition of power chord guitar heroics.

Clocking in at just over two minutes, “Danger” serves up one of the most perfect slices of pure pop you’ll hear this year. The arrangement pulls off a wonderful sleight of hand: a delicious, richly layered pre-chorus dissolves into a minimalist chorus where looped bass, drums and vocals take centre stage. There’s even space for a short but well-placed four-bar rap from Yeonjun.

“Resist (Not Gonna Run Away)” showcases TXT's genre-blending prowess, weaving acoustic guitar with pulsing synths into a stirring reggaeton anthem. The track, with lyrics penned by four of the band’s five members (Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai), stands as yet another testament to their musical alchemy.

The uber smooth “Forty One Winks” pays homage to classic R&B with a killer vocal arrangement, satisfyingly locked in rhythm section, nicely blended synth pads, plus additional percussive ear candy which elevates the chorus. It’s yet another bona fide head-nodder from the quintet.

The uplifting “Higher Than Heaven” brings the mini-album pleasingly full circle, with a nod to the sentiments of album opener "Heaven". This high-voltage finale achieves lift-off thanks to its arena-ready rock energy and a catchy call-and-response chorus which is surely destined for global singalongs.