Back with their third studio album, “5-STAR,” the eight-member K-Pop group, Stray Kids, delivers yet again, another no skip album. From the hip hop infused tracks to the soft ballads, it is the most perfect album to listen to. Upon its release on June 2 in South Korea, the album has definitely made its impact in the industry, as many fans, new and old, gather around to stream the new album.
Stray Kids (often shortened to SKZ) is a South Korean boy band consisting of members Bang Chan, Lee Minho (Lee Know), Seo Changbin, Hwang Hyunjin, Han Jisung, Lee Felix, Kim Seungmin, and Yang Jeongin (I.N). They debuted in 2018 under JYP Entertainment, with their iconic debut single, “District 9.” Being entirely self produced by the group’s subunit, “3RACHA,” the members’ individuality and all-roundedness are shown throughout their diverse discography and unique sound.
The album contains a total of 12 songs, making this their first full length album since their 2021 release of “NOEASY.” Including their iconic title track, “S CLASS,” and 11 b-side tracks, the album encapsulates elements of hip-hop, pop, and electronic music as it runs for a total of 36 minutes and 35 seconds. Exceeding 5.13 million pre-orders, “5-STAR” became the most pre-ordered album in K-Pop history. With each track overflowing with confidence and self-assurance, it is no doubt that Stray Kids have come a long way since their debut.
Starting off the album is “Hall of Fame,” which is an energetic hip-hop/pop song. Mentioning remarkable historical figures, such as Galileo, Edison, Shakespeare, and more, the group talks about their success in the industry as they continue to strive for fame. In their Youtube video, “Stray Kids [INTRO “★★★★★ (5-STAR)”],” Bang Chan, one of main lyricists and producers of the album, stated, “It’s not saying that our names are on the Hall of Fame. It’s more like, “We need to work really hard to get there.” The lyrics display their aspirations of becoming bigger in the music industry, all while inspiring others, and continuing to be inspired by others.
Next on the album is their iconic title track, “S CLASS,” which, in my opinion, encapsulates the overall sound of Stray Kids, and the album, very well. Full of confidence, the group refers to themselves as the most special star in the sky. The lyrics allude to the famous Japanese anime, “Dragon Ball Z,” in which they mention the infamous Serpent road. From the lyrics “Swerving, I’m spinning on Serpent Road,” the group refers to the challenging road they have taken while striving for success in the industry, while also implying that they have the skills to “swerve” and “spin” without falling off the road. Incorporating elements of electronic-pop and hip-hop, the group creates their own dynamic, addictive sound, giving listeners an earworm as they listen to the song for the first time.
“ITEM” is another hip-hop infused track that will, without a doubt, make you feel excited just by listening to it. The song starts off with a synth riff, making it sound as if it came straight out of a video game. They use the idea of video games in order to imply that they don’t need any “items” to be successful in the music industry; they are self dependent and confident in their skills. The song also sounds powerful and impactful, as the melody flows together smoothly.
“Super Bowl” caught the attention of many fans worldwide, as it was revealed to be the original “God’s Menu” from their 2020 album “GO LIVE.” The song is extremely addicting to listen to; the charismatic whispers in the chorus flow together smoothly with the rest of the song, putting listeners into a trance as they listen along.
My personal favorite track on the album is “TOPLINE,” which also features the legendary Korean rapper, Tiger JK. The track is noisy and high-octane, making it sound powerful as the group also displays their confidence through their lyrics – they rap and sing about “being on the topline” whilst warning their haters about the power of karma. Incorporating heavy hip-hop/pop sounds, this song would indefinitely be a great song to perform onstage; the powerful instrumentals would create much hype and excitement as the audience sings along.
“DLC” is an upbeat, pop-driven track. From the exciting instrumentals to the members’ alluring voices, this song sounds energizing and relieving at the same time. In the video, “Stray Kids [INTRO “★★★★★ (5-STAR)”],” Changbin states “Everyone has those times when they’re stagnant and exhausted. A time they feel stuck and they want to break free and dance and play like crazy. They have those times, I wanted to talk about that.” The song is about letting go of worries and enjoying the present moment, which many listeners can relate to, or take inspiration from.
“GET LIT” is another personal favorite on the album – the heavy, booming instrumentals interlaced with the members’ powerful voices makes the song extremely addicting to listen to. Being a party-rock anthem, the song definitely lives up to its name; it is loud and exciting, bound to hype up a crowd. The most satisfying part, in my opinion, is when the interlude transitions into the second verse. Hyunjin’s alluring vocals, followed by Changbin’s booming rap, makes the song feel like an emotional rollercoaster: dizzying and exciting, and you cannot get enough of it.
“Collision” provides a different approach to the album, as the group compares a lost love to the collision of planets. Similar to many other songs written by Han Jisung, there is a hint of distinct sadness and pettiness enlaced within the lyrics. The lyrics are full of regret and desperation as they beg for their lover to come back to them. In contrast to the lyrics, the song has a pop and R&B vibe to it, making it upbeat and captivating.
Being known for their electronic-pop hits, SKZ has done it again with “FNF,” the next song on the album. Written by Australian members, Bang Chan and Lee Felix, the song is dedicated to the Australian bushfires that occurred in 2019. The upbeat instrumentals of the song, mixed with the melodic voices of the members, makes the song extremely nostalgic and enthralling.
“Youtiful” (combination of you’re beautiful) is a soft, mid-tempo ballad, with heartwarming lyrics. The lyrics are extremely sentimental, bringing tears to many listeners’ eyes, including mine. Written by Bang Chan, the song is dedicated to their fans; he says he feels like there are nice things that they hear from their fans all the time, and he wanted to return the encouragement. From the soft instrumentals to the heartwarming lyrics, merged with the members’ alluring vocals, the song will definitely make you feel emotional just by listening to it.
“THE SOUND (Korean Ver.)” and “Mixtape: Time Out” are songs we have already heard – they were previously released as singles prior to the album release. However, the upbeat tracks never got old, as fans continued to rave about them on social media platforms.
In terms of the physical album, “5-STAR” comes in five different versions: A, B, C, Limited Edition (first print only), and digipack. Each album includes a photobook, CD, poster, mini-postcard, comic print, two sticker sheets, and two photocards. Each version of the album has a set of different concepts, making them fun to collect and look at.
With rumors of their next comeback circling the media, as well as their upcoming Japan and Korean Dome Tours, it is no surprise that SKZ are working hard to strive for further fame. Along with their recent VMA’s Best K-Pop win, and 3RACHA’S performance at Global Citizen Festival, there is no doubt that SKZ are one of the most successful fourth generation groups to date: they just never miss.
