Album Review: Tomorrow X Together (TXT) - Minisode 2: Thursday's Child

Of all TXT's EPs, Thursday's Child is not the best, not the most consistent, nor the most musically interesting. However, it is more than solid, while holding together conceptually much better than most albums this year, highlighting a first breakup. It completely deserves a review.

Opening Sequence

Opening Sequence starts right after a breakup. TXT beg their lover desperately to stay, falling apart in desperation. TXT's members provide a strong vocal performance, with the autotune perfectly blending into their voice for pure teenage angst. It lacks the musical subtlety that makes TXT the greatest boy band of their generation, but the chorus makes one hell of an earworm.

Rating: 8.5/10

Good Boy Gone Bad

Subtlety, thy name is certainly not this chorus!

TXT and their songwriters typically showcase emotion directly, but with enough emotional depth that one could read multiple layers into the pain of Ghosting. Good Boy Gone Bad is perhaps the group's most direct song so far. If the chorus line "Good Boys Gone Bad" being repeated well over 20 times is not enough, Yeonjun telling us that he "likes being bad" should drive the message in.

This actually makes a little bit more sense within the context of the album. It is the central character voicing his anger, his rage, and his angst after the breakup. A little bit of nuance a la G-Dragon's Crooked would be welcome, but the rock-risen rage is certainly welcome, even if I doubt this song will become the next Lovesong.

Rating: 8.5/10

Trust Fund Baby

Technically speaking, known of TXT's members have the vocal skill to stand up to the greats of the last past few years. However, I love their slower, more emotive tracks. I believe this is due to the members being able to embed emotion into their songs. Trust Fund Baby has nothing on the likes of Magic Island or Nap of a Star, but is strong in its own right. The dreamy, nostalgic chorus is likely to age fantastically, especially with its snapping synths Lyrically, the song is a plus too. It hints TXT's lover may have left for someone richer, and also leaves TXT feeling defeated, but at least accepting this much.

Rating: 8.5/10

Lonely Boy

Lonely Boy is composed by an entirely different team from the rest of the album. One can instantly tell this from the trap-inspired beats over the flamenco guitar. While I enjoy autotune on most of TXT's tracks, it is quite annoying on Lonely Boy, especially since the members sound better than ever during their non-processed moments. Conceptually, the song sees TXT finally accept maybe the girl is not meant for them. The chorus may not be great, but it is functional.

Rating: 7.5/10

Thursday's Child Has Far To Go

The album ends on a high, both within its overarching story and songwriting-wise. Despite being a unit track, I expect Thursday's Child to be the next promoted single for the EP, since it conceptually makes sense, while also making sense within the title.

Sampling Mother Goose might be a strange choice, but it actually works great within the song. The lyrics see TXT finally accepting they will have to move on, even if it will hurt. They hope that the breakup is on a Thursday, giving them enough time to grieve before meeting their former love again.

The song is also musically fantastic. Beomgyu is listed first among the producers and second among the songwriters. All the members but Soobin have credits on the album. If this is what they can do, give me more of it. The synth-inspired chorus is incredible, and a complete earworm. However, it is the full chant in the bridge that steals the show. Within such a strong discography, Thursday's Child may not stand out, but it is great within the context of the album.

Rating: 9/10

Cumulative Rating: 8.4/10

Overall Score: 7.9/10

Despite the title track not suggesting so, Minisode 2 is quite an emotional take on first love and first heartbreak. The album never reaches the heights of TXT's best releases but does not collapse like their worst. With the members getting credits on all songs except Good Boy Gone Bad, I am greatly anticipating the next release of my favorite 4th generation K-Pop group.

Image Source: LA Verdad