After nine months since their last release, The Chaos Chapter: FIGHT OR ESCAPE, five-member boy group TXT returned with the highly anticipated EP, minisode 2: Thursday’s Child. Released on May 9, the mini-album features five tracks that show a more mature side of the group. Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai describe their feelings about growing up, first heartbreaks, and discovering the world around them.

In contrast to the first chapter in the minisode series, minisode1: Blue Hour, minisode 2: Thursday’s Child explores a darker side of the group, including genres such as hip-hop, alternative pop, rock, and R&B, exhibiting the heavy emotions of sadness and anger while portraying a coming-of-age story. Additionally, all five members contributed to the writing and production of the songs. 

From Love To Heartbreak

The album kicks off with “Opening Sequence,” an alternative R&B track with a deep bass sound. Produced by Sam Klempner, the song introduces TXT’s growth to the world, portraying an older side of the quintet. With members Taehyun and Huening Kai included in the songwriting credits, the lyrics recall the painful memories of a break-up and the countless thoughts after ending a relationship. “You in the faded film, your gaze that erased me/ Stay for me, stay for me, stay for me/ I can’t get used to it, used to it, used to it,” they sing.

Good Boys Gone Bad 

The title track “Good Boy Gone Bad” continues the story from the group’s previous releases “0X=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)” and “LO$ER=LO♡ER (LOSER=LOVER).” While the former two opened up about the intense emotions of your first love, this new track contains the heaviness of a break-up and feelings of anger after the love ends. The single is a mix of hip-hop and rock influences, paired with rough bass melodies. HYBE’s in-house producer Slow Rabbit is credited as both producer and songwriter alongside others, such as TXT’s Yeonjun and HYBE’s executive producer “Hitman” Bang (Bang Shihyuk).

Unlike any other TXT track, “Good Boy Gone Bad” displays the group’s darkest side to the date. The lyrics allude to a boy’s first heartbreak and the sadness, resentment, and anger due to the end of a complex relationship. The boy’s raspy voices combined with a fierce melody added powerful energy to the song as they sing “slash my heart, then gone dead/ Who you knew that good boys gone bad?/ Now, I just kill me, killin’ me/ Good boy gone bad.”

The music video matches the atmosphere of the track, as the five members create chaos throughout an alleyway and graveyard, expressing their anger and frustration after being heartbroken. A highlight of the video comes during the chorus as it shows the group performing the choreography in a graveyard.  

The third track in the album, “Trust Fund Baby” is an indie-pop ballad with a soft instrumental. Produced by Brian Philips and Slow Rabbit, the record is a continuation of their title track “LO$ER=LO♡ER (LOSER=LOVER)” from their 2021 album repackaged The Chaos Chapter: FIGHT OR ESCAPE. Although the last one alludes to fighting the world’s idea of ‘loser’ to become a ‘lover’ to escape reality with his loved one, “Trust Fund Baby” explores the reality of not having a guarantee for love, as not even money can save a person from a break-up.

The lyrics took reference from the previous title track while showing the group’s resignation feelings towards the world. “An empty wallet with the namе of a heart/ That is even more empty than that/ Lover with no dollar sign/ I’ll never be a trust fund baby” the boys sing. 

When asked about the songwriting process for “Trust Fund Baby” at the album’s press conference, Taehyun expressed that he pulled some lyrical inspiration for the track from video games and the idea that no matter how many items you get you’re not guaranteed to win.

“Born To Be A Thursday’s Child”

Last, but not least, are the unit tracks. “Lonely Boy (The tattoo on my ring finger),” sung by Yeonjun and Huening Kai, is an alternative R&B single with a low guitar melody. Written by Jason Hahs, Andrew Okamura, EL CAPITXN, Yeonjun, and Huening Kai, the lyrics continue the album’s storyline of experiencing your first break-up.

Although this track differs from the angry emotions of the previous tracks, it maintains the feelings of loneliness and regret. Yeonjun and Huening Kai’s vocal colors blended perfectly, highlighting one another’s strength as they sing about the unforgettable memories that come while looking a the small couples’ tattoo on their ring finger. 

The final track, “Thursday’s Child Has Far To Go” features members Soobin, Beomgyu, and Taehyun. The retro pop song with a refreshing beat conversely closes the album on a more hopeful note. As the story advances, “Thursday’s Child Has Far To Go” describes the aftermath of heartbreak, the emotions that come with moving past those cryptic feelings, and walking down a new path. The retro-style track was produced by Slow Rabbit, Revin, and Beomgyu, who also participated in the songwriting process, along with fellow TXT member Taehyun. The lyrics reflect on the painful moments of having your heart broken, but growing and looking forward to a brand-new day. 

What’s Next?

TXT are well-known for their diverse discography, going from bright pop singles to a more punk and alternative sound. The release of minisode 2: Thursday’s Child continues to exhibit their versatility as musicians while sharing a unique message with the audience. On the platform Hanteo, the mini-album had the highest first-day sales by a K-pop group in 2022 with 918,413 total sales. As the boys close their minisode album chapter and prepare for their first world tour ACT: LOVESICK, the five members keep on cementing themselves as a powerful group in the industry, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds. 

You can listen to minisode 2: Thursday’s Child on Spotify and Apple Music! 

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