TOMORROW X TOGETHER continue to solidify their place as one of K-pop’s greatest storytellers with The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY. This reflective yet hopeful mini-album captures the nuanced emotional spectrum of youth through some of their most subtle, vocally challenging songs to date.
The six-track mini album release takes listeners on a journey that melds TXT’s genre-blending tendencies with light, fresh touches of the quintet’s impressive falsettos and R&B-infused harmonies. Thematically, The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY delves into love, longing, and personal growth, yet there’s a gentle vulnerability here that sets it apart from the group’s previous, more intense releases.
Similarly to the racing emotions delivered in the Billboard 200-topping band’s previously acclaimed singles like “0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)” and “LO$ER=LO♡ER” SANCTUARY’s lead single, “Over the Moon,” is a standout by showing matured restraint and letting the members’ vocals shine over a layered mix of genres. Premiered live at the group’s massive encore concert at Seoul’s KSPO Dome in the ongoing <ACT: PROMISE> world tour, the song naturally established itself as a special track among TOMORROW X TOGETHER fans — affectionately known as MOAs. The EP is made all the more special by members Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and HueningKai all contributing throughout the EP as both songwriters and composers.
Accompanied by a visually striking music video, “Over the Moon” uses symbolic imagery—raindrops, ladybugs, bouquets—to evoke the sweet innocence as well as the trepidation of young love. Meanwhile, the artwork and concept photos for The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY have ranged from presenting the guys as adorable, dreamy lovesick puppies to edgy bikers and ice princes.
Like the range of concepts representing SANCTUARY visually, the BIGHIT MUSIC boys experiment with sounds that can evoke nostalgia and longing without losing any modern edge. From lead single “Over the Moon” to sure-to-become-fan-favorite b-sides here’s our ranking of the songs on TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s mini album The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY.
