By Rebecka Jones, Staff Writer
Context
K-pop band Stray Kids released their new album, “This & That”, at the end of this past summer. As a new fan, this album was my introduction to the high-energy boy band. I entered this fandom as a huge BTS fan, a K-pop band with hip-hop, synth-pop, and old-school rock beats; however, Stray Kids is very different.
Unlike BTS’s upbeat pop and funk, Stray Kids’ music is classified as EDM, with fast-paced rap and vocals. Their new album features several songs with electronic beats, but they also included surprisingly melodious, emotionally moving, and slower-paced songs.
Bang Chan is the leader and main vocalist of Stray Kids, followed by the rappers Changbin and Han, who all make up 3RACHA. Felix and Hyunjin are also rappers for the band, along with Lee Know, a dancer and vocalist, who all make up DANCERACHA. Then there are the vocalists, Seungmin and I.N, who make up VOCALRACHA. The trio 3RACHA wrote “This & That” as a tribute to the members’ own experiences in their journey from debut to now.
The album is definitely a new experience for me, as someone who is exploring the K-pop horizons, and it gave me a bit of whiplash because of the change from fast to slow songs. However, there are a lot of compliments I have towards the band for writing this meaningful and authentic album.
“RUN IT”
Originally released as a single, “RUN IT” is the band’s anthem towards their never-ending growth and progress as singers and performers. The song features high-energy vocals with a motivational melody.
The lyrics sing about overcoming the trials of life. Even in the darkness, Bang Chan (the leader of the group) proclaims that they “find a way to make a way” out of the pit, where they will be “shining with the lights out.”
Seungmin and I.N mention having been fighting all their lives, but they “keep going on” and won’t look back or collapse from the past. Instead, they will run their race until the end.
Altogether, the members sing how they’re going to “run it everywhere, all around the world.” The band refuses to give up even when life beats them down countless times because they want to pave a way for their dreams..” Running the race of life will bring pain and tears, but the finish line promises victory. Moreover, the band is “never alone” in their struggles because their fans from all around the world are supporting them and cheering them on; hence, the band’s slogan, “Stray Kids everywhere all around the world, you make Stray Kids stay.”
“RUN IT” is one of my favorites from this album because of how inspirational it is. I believe many people can relate to this song the most because everyone goes through times when life beats them down to where they feel like they can’t get back up. However, this song teaches that it is possible to rise and shine in the darkest moments. If a group of eight ordinary boys can overcome trials and become a worldwide sensation, we are all capable of doing great things and changing the world.
My heart warms every time this song comes on. I love belting out the lyrics of this song because it is an anthem I stand by. I’m running my own race in life and sometimes feel like collapsing when it gets challenging, especially with the stresses of college and my personal life. However, Stray Kids has taught me to keep running, even if it means running across the globe, because I will eventually make it to the finish line.
“This & That”
This next song proclaims a similar message but takes a different musical approach. While the song also mentions a continuous growth in the band’s career and finding their own way through life, Stray Kids takes a more confident rather than sentimental approach to the theme compared to “RUN IT”.
“This & That” features hip-hop and rap lines, with the melody being sharper and accented. The band displays their boldness on stage by singing that they’re going to “rip a show then hit the studio” because they’ve got “this and that,” meaning they have the strength and talent to achieve success in their performance.
After enduring trials, Stray Kids can keep moving from stage to stage, thriving and on a roll. Seungmin even sings that no one can stop them because they’ve got all the things they need to keep going.
Right alongside “RUN IT”, “This & That” is a song I play on repeat. I was never into rap or hip-hop, but Stray Kids has been an exception. I think the mixture of vocalists, rappers, and the high-energy tempo and electric beats is what I enjoy, and “This & That” includes all those characteristics. This is the type of song you should blast in your car with the windows down.
Whenever I’m low on energy, this song recharges my battery with its catchy rhythm. I love to scream out the lyrics, even though I can’t speak Korean, because it’s such a vibe, and it instills in me the confidence and motivation to pursue my passions that have helped Stray Kids pursue theirs.
“After You”
The album takes an entirely different turn in this next song, shifting from motivational lyrics and upbeat rhythm to a slower, more romantic beat. “After You” reveals the feeling of being in love, experienced by each of the members towards their own special someone.
The melody is calming and guitar-heavy with an uplifting rhythm. Felix and Hyunjin sing about seeing someone who turned their “world around” and “took a piece of [them].” Furthermore, Seungmin, Bang Chan, and Lee Know sing about how this person has kept them “up all night” because their life is completely changed after seeing them.
Changbin and Han experience the giddiness of love, their “clumsy first words [coming] out awkwardly” when they try to speak to their special someone. They experience the racing hearts, sparks flying, and the “fiery battle of trying to read each other” because love can be so energetic yet confusing.
Because of this love they’ve found, the members sing how they will swim through the ocean to get to their person because they are no longer the same “after you,” referring to the person they fell in love with.
“After You” is my favorite slow song from this album. The beauty of experiencing the excitement and intrigue of love was portrayed in this song so well that I felt as if I were the one experiencing love like that. The song was more intimate and calm, giving the fans more of a glimpse into the band’s personal life and struggles. The lyrics and melody are so heartwarming that it was a moment of peace from the faster-tempo songs from the album.
“FARMING”
Stray Kids jumps right back into a fast-paced, hip-hop beat with “FARMING.” Once again, the members are singing about the sweat and tears shed in order to keep up their success. Changbin and Hyunjin begin the song by saying, “We farmin’ every day, no sleep / Career on the rise,” revealing the labor that comes with producing music.
The members use the term “farming” to portray their hard work. Just as farmers work every minute of every day to maintain their farm, Stray Kids work endlessly to develop songs that their fans will enjoy. They will keep working to “stack it [their success] up, make the bag bigger.”
Although I am not a huge fan of this song because of the aggressive sound effects and voice changers, I vibe with the electric beats and confident lyrics. I love to see how deserving Stray Kids are of their fame because they dedicate so much time and effort to make meaningful and catchy songs. It can show how authentic their passion is to not only please their fans, but to keep pursuing their love for music and songwriting.
“I Do”
Another melodical song featuring lively rhythms and emotional lyrics, “I Do” is a song about shared pain and supporting one another through it. Bang Chan dives right into the song by affirming that the members “feel the same pain as you / Every scar, every wound” and that they’ll be “right there” with you—the fans.
The song mentions how everyone has “something lodged deep in their heart” that they try to hide with empty smiles, but Stray Kids sympathizes with their fans by saying they feel pain too. Pain is just a part of life, and every human experiences it. However, the members encourage everyone to stand strong because “we’re gonna find a way to rise.”
“I Do” is another very encouraging song. It reminds me of High School Musical with its electric guitar background, 2000s pop beat, and a unified chorus singing about getting through trials. Even so, this song isn’t my favorite because of how familiar it sounds to a typical 2000s song. When I think of Stray Kids, I think of original, authentic Korean pop music; unfortunately, this song did not satisfy.
“Way Out”
It’s interesting how “This & That” goes from encouraging, unifying songs to a song about kicking someone out of one’s life. “Way Out” expresses the frustration of a relationship with zero chemistry and a partner who refuses to leave.
Seungmin and Han start off the song by telling their partner to “keep going the way out you were, just leave” because “those moments that burned so hot have been cold for a long, long time.”
Changbin, Hyunjin, and Felix add that they’ve changed themselves for the person and have moved on after the relationship fell apart, but the partner is too stubborn. “Just leave and set me free,” the boys sing. “Why on earth are you holding me back?”
I got a little bit of whiplash from this song after experiencing the confidence and perseverance of Stray Kids from the last songs. All the songs were positive besides this one. Although “Way Out” has a decently catchy rhythm and softer instruments like some of the others in the album, the song still felt out of place to me. I understand that part of the Stray Kids journey to success includes heartbreak and frustrations like this, but the lyrics destroyed the lighthearted vibe of the album for me. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the song.
“Back Then”
A song sounding straight out of a K-drama, “Back Then” is the nostalgic summer memories of a special someone. The band remembers the days they “laughed together, with a movie playing” and “only looked at each other,” meaning their special person.
I.N and Lee Know proclaim they will “give half of [their] lifetime” to this person and make a “brilliant flower bloom” in the person’s heart. The love is so bright in the sky, as Felix and Han sing, that it creates an emerald sea. I.N and Han then add a summer touch to the song by recalling the memories of “holding hands, walking, swimming in the sea,” and feeling free.
The song uses softer instruments such as drums and an acoustic guitar, and the melody is bright and joyful. When I hear “Back Then,” I feel like I’m watching a K-drama underneath a bright summer night sky because of the calming rhythm of the song. I do still believe “After You” is my favorite slow song of this album, but “Back Then” is right behind it on my list.
Closing Thoughts
“This & That” was definitely not my favorite album because of the dramatic change in song style and rough beats, but I still enjoyed most of the songs from it. Compared to their recent albums, I rate this one a 7/10. However, the songs “RUN IT” and “This & That” are some of my favorite songs out of all Stray Kids songs.
I admire all the blood, sweat, and tears the band sings about because they wouldn’t be where they are now without it. The eight of them work together to write, choreograph, and sing the songs, and they’re still standing together as one through it all.
I’m thankful that I am now a part of this fandom, and that’s not only because their songs are catchy and their members are arguably attractive. I may still be learning the bits and pieces that make Stray Kids the band they are, but I can confidently say that they put a lot of work and passion into their songs, which is what I love about them alongside their humor and chaotic energy.
The fact that the band admires fans is also notable. Stray Kids reminds us that they wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the fans, which is why their slogan is what it is. Their slogan is also a reminder that we are never alone in our race through life. Every person is a stray working hard to pave the way for dreams and success, but the people who are with us along the way are most important. When we come together to lift and guide each other, we can make it. Similarly, when we support and honor Stray Kids, we make them stay and change the world with their amazing music.
