I’m sorry this took me a while to get to this review up. It’s finally here!
I always note this when I see it, but it was great to see how much the group was involved in the album process. With lyrics, composition, and arrangements. I have always known this and admired it. But seeing it visually is great to see.
Disclaimer: I am a stay. So, I am looking at this album as a Stay and a music enthusiast. That being said, my reviews are conversational, so if you’re more into the typical format of an album review, I suggest some of other content. It’s really cool, and I highly recommend it!
Now, let’s get to the music! Can not wait!
Hall of Fame
The song feels like it’s putting you into the twilight zone at some part. I love the different mixes of genres Stray Kids has. You can tell it’s there’s own colors. I can hear EDM, Rock, Dubstep, and Hip hop for the most part in their music. I am wondering if this song is about the first kpop idols/ kpop group on the moon (if you know, you know).
I was a bit sad that the song ended the way they did. It gives the vibes of Lee Know ending the lives abruptly.
The beats are heavy. I love the rock elements in there. The panning vocals are amazing too. And it feels like they filled up every spot of the headphone experience.
It was weird so much slang that is now popular internet terms in one part of the hook.
I really love this song, and I play it very often. I grew more love for it when I saw Chan’s hidden vocals.
S-Class
Being honest, this song has grown on me. I didn’t like it much at first because I was confused with the direction. But I learned to really like it. It’s very catchy. And the more it was on my timeline, the more it got stuck in my head. And now different parts get stuck in my head randomly. Especially the dance.
The beats are different ones so it can get a bit difficult to explain. Today is my first time listening through my earphones. The tempo changes a lot, so the sign is very interesting. There’s not going to be something you get bored of because each part is different.
I guess the confusing parts was the parts that felt like pop to hip hop to pop again. I wonder what the bridge is. I really liked that part. Then it goes into like EDM or dubstep.
The beat from the beginning reminded me of venom. When Changbin does the “별” part in the beginning. And then it reminds me of Case 143 when Han starts his verse. It reminds me of the last bit of the song as the beat flourishes more and more. The descending elements reminded me of it. The vocals are heavy on the layering.
I have to say it though…Changbin is loud. It’s funny to hear because you can get startled the first time. It gives the song the power push and starts it off really strong.
I listened to this song many times and have watched many performances of it. Honestly the performances are very demanding, but I’m so proud of them. I also noticed from the recording session how difficult it was recording. Another thing I noticed though was how technical it was. They take the time to organize every element. It makes me very happy to see an artist so hands on with their work. It’s really admirable.
ITEM
The beginning reminded me of an arcade.
This song also has the star references so it’s consistent. Love that.
I loved the ‘divine’ part. The pre-chorus is just great.
Their beats always go hard, and the flows are to die for. I really hope that I can catch up with the flow.
At 2:23 the 808’s are incredible. I can’t wait to hear this on speakers. Like really good ones. Also in the car…This is going to be lit.
This song feels like a good drive song with friends. I also would love ot hear it at the fair or even a bowling alley. It felt like the Namco Museum DS for Nintendo DS. Like it mentions Pac-Man, but it reminds me of Galaga. The hook is just as addicting too. I wish they had those big boots. You know which one I’m talking about. I really like how addicting the song is with the beats.
Super Bowl
Super Bowl, Chan. Explain it. Nowwwwww! I swear Bangchan will always find a way to avoid the meaning. Also, he did the thing he mentioned on Channie’s room! The word play was really good. I caught the drift. I really like the clever word placement.
I feel like everyone when they came together had their own delivery of the lyrics. I like the unison thing, but I would like it all to be more aggressive.
If they do this live, my goodness. Will Stay be able to stay calm? I saw the visuals for this and the edits (I’m sure the members did too…we know you’re always watching! :)). My goodness. The lyrics are their own masterpiece. Edit: They did!
The beat in the beginning didn’t start right away so it scared me. I love the low vocals. The flow is fire, and the rapping and singing is amazing. The 808’s are heavy. The whispering was really tasteful (no pun intended). I like how the beat stops smoothly before the s*** so bussin (or well… “Our dish here’s so bussin’”). And the high notes before it goes back to the low aggressive sound was really nice. I hope they make more songs like this.
TOPLINE
Tiger JK is busy busy.
I’m sorry we don’t give a what? They got bold! We’re getting closer every day to the album we deserve lol (Chan we’re counting on you!). I really like how pleasing their melodies are. And the BOM DIGI DIGI BOM’s are really aggressive. That’s what I was looking for. Love this choice! I also like how they stick with the melody on their instrumental as well and it works. Some writers make it more cliche.
Speaking of what we deserve, did you see the live performance? The fans came through and filled in the blanks.
I love this aggressive style; it gets you hyped right away. Tiger JK was really good. I want to hear one with an open verse. I’m sure there can be endless possibilities with this beat. It’s really good.
DLC
The title honestly made me think of downloadable content lol. I didn’t know what to expect. Especially after a few did sound like electronic video games. This one had more of a bright vibe. It was a refreshing change in the sound. I like the belting of the hook instead of being so sing songy. It made me want to yell it out with all my worries. It’s really repetitive. I love the ending. Overall, this is a feel-good song in my opinion.
Reading the lyrics it felt like a song that is fun. I don’t really understand the meaning of them, but I think it’s just a fun song with lyrics to accompany that vibe. Upon reading them, I guess that’s the point. It just has random thoughts and vibes into one really energizing song.
It has that poppy summer refreshing sound.
GET LIT
The beat felt like one for a hook so it was cool to see it for some of the verses instead. The chorus had a wild beat. I was really shocked to say the least. I like how they were singing the high notes. I know this was really hard to record. I feel bad. The bridge had that expensive sound to it. Like Hollywood star royalty. I was a little confused by this song, but I also really liked elements to it. I’ll have to listen to it a few more times to understand it. I think we were already lit when the song started. Stray Kids can really make you hyped. That’s a fact.
Collision
At first from the beat in the beginning with the percussion I was confused and as I kept listening I felt so happy to listen to the song. The beat is amazing. I learned to like horn. I also really liked it. It has that addicting summer sound that just makes you feel bubbly and happy. It’s a feel good summer song. I love sing-rap Chan. I really hope for him to have more as time goes on.
I love the phone dialing on beat too. I mean come on, they’re spoiling us.
FNF **
The sound changed a lot since the first few songs. This reminds me of the 2016 music when it was really happy days. You know what sound I’m talking about. It was all over the radio and it felt like you needed to attend every music festival there was. Especially over the summer. You just had to be there. It also kinda gives those songs on the trailer to the kpop variety shows. And more specifically for the summer or watersport ones. This kinda makes me happy cause it gives me memories.
Youtiful
This is one of those emotional songs. This is kinda sad, but sweet. I like these kinds of songs, especially at the end of an album. It makes it more personal. I’m guessing Youtiful is You and Beautiful. So you are beautiful or being you is beautiful. Being you is enough. I believe in this 1000%.Chan mentioned in a recent fan sign that he thought the lyrics were cringe. I thought that was funny because he really wanted to show Stay. I wonder what reactions he wanted to see.
There is only one you and you should see the beauty in that alone. Everyone is beautiful the way they are. Thank you Stray Kids. I hope you know you are a miracle. I love it, that’s all I can say.
I can’t listen over and over cause it’ll make me sad. I hope Stray Kids know they are amazing. Us STAY should sing this to them and maybe make our own response song for them.
THE SOUND
The sound difference and feeling from the previous song is crazy. I want to see this one live. It would have been a good one as a title song or the b-side that you perform. I see choreo for this. I love it. It’s giving a sound I was missing for a while. The end of the bridge reminded me of their other song. Back door.
Mixtape Timeout
I felt like I was in an epic 2000-2010 beach movie special. Amazing vibes. I was smiling so hard at the laughs the first time. The rock made me so happy. And then the beats came in and it was perfect. Whenever some songs try, it never really works out. Same with the rap. It did it really well. This song really makes me happy. This song fits their voices very well. The title was not what I expected with this song. It’s definitely something I’m listening to again with some of my other songs with similar vibes. I’m so happy right now.
It played at the Olympics too! That was a happy moment. It’s a happy emotional song. One that makes you so happy, well…you get emotional.
ENDING:
I feel like this album is really consistent with the songs for the most part and I think if you like the song if you like hyped music, but you have the option to listen to other vibes as well throughout the album. The beats are amazing in this album. I feel for in my opinion that I can swap certain songs in my playlist sometimes if I don’t want to listen to the same songs.
Stray Kids are working really hard so please send them encouraging words. They are working non-stop. I want them to relax soon, please don’t overwork yourselves. And are on tour right now, so if you want to see some fresh performances, In highly suggest you attending!
RATINGS:
It’s hard for me to rate stuff and you should never just take someone’s word for something. You should listen yourself as well! I like all types of music, so I like them for different ways. I think this one is worth the listen for sure!
- S CLASS
- 2. TIMEOUT
- SUPER BOWL (was tied)
- TOPLINE (with this one)
- ITEM
- HALL OF FAME
- COLLISION
- DLC
- YOUTIFUL
- THE SOUND
- GET LIT
- FNF
K.C. Unboxing & Raking‘s:
———————————–
- S-Class
- ITEM
- Collision
- Super Bowl
- Hall of Fame
- TOPLINE
- Mixtape: Time Out
- Youtiful
- FNF
- The Sound (Korean ver.)
- GET LIT
- DLC
So, what are your thoughts on the album? What’s your favorites? We wanna know! Hope you have an amazing day and listen to some amazing music!
Written & illustrated by: A.P.
Regal Attraction 
Express. Anything! Everything!