Astro’s Moonbin and Sanha Leave Listeners with a Lingering Scent of Seduction in ‘Madness’
The single leads the Astro sub-unit’s third EP ‘Incense’
Left (L): Moonbin. Right (R): Sanha.
2023 is off to a great start, thanks to Astro’s Moonbin and Sanha. Returning to the spotlight as a duo after nearly a year, Moonbin and Sanha have released their brand new EP, Incense. Led by the single “Madness,” the six-track offering follows their March 2021 EP Refuge and marks the duo’s third record as an official Astro sub-unit.
Co-written by Moonbin, “Madness” is a sultry dance number with grand rhythmic synths intensifying the single’s soundscape. Groovy with just the right contemporary production sensibilities, “Madness” implores its listeners to sway to its rhythm, especially as the song edges closer to the soaring bridge that delightfully doubles up as a percussion and synth oasis. The dance number is further enhanced by sultry yet crystalline vocal performances by Moonbin and Sanha (including a pleasant rap performance from Sanha).
Flaunting their irresistibility, the duo sing “Eyes tightly closed/ You can’t get me out of mind/ Incense, I’m so insane.” According to a press release, “Madness” refers to Moonbin and Sanha’s “fatal sexiness as a scent that is inevitably spread and absorbed, containing a message that their scent will make others happy.”
Mirroring the track’s dark and mature theme, the music video shows the singers switching between choreographed routines and their personas as master perfumers concocting a fragrance in predominantly black, white and red sets. There’s an evident spell of trance and allure engulfing the Astro members, notably when they perform the choreography. This adds a layer of novelty, transfixing the viewer as the music video progresses.
Formed in 2020, Moonbin and Sanha is the first official sub-unit of K-pop group Astro and debuted on September 14th, 2020 with the EP In-Out. Since then, they have released Refuge in 2022 and the OST “Dive into you” for the Kakao webtoon Since I Met You. On their latest EP, the duo have put forward six new tracks: “Madness,” (lead single) “Perfumer” (an all English track), “Desire” (Moonbin’s solo), “Wish” (Sanha’s solo), “Chup Chup” and “Your Day.” Aside from co-writing the lead single, Moonbin has also been credited as a lyricist and co-composer on “Desire,” while Sanha helped write and compose “Wish.”
In other news, Sanha and Moonbin, along with other Astro members Jinjin and Cha Eunwoo, have renewed their contracts with their label, Fantagio. Rocky is still negotiating the contract renewal details while MJ will enter contract negotiations after he completes his mandatory military service.
