Stray Kids Rock Out on New Album ROCK-STAR
Less than a half a year after their iconic Korean album 5-STAR, Stray Kids is back. Their latest release, ROCK-STAR, encompasses everything the members envision a rock star as having: a powerful stage presence, free from judgment, and possessing the ability of unique expression.
TRACKLIST:
“MEGAVERSE”
“락 (樂) (LALALALA)”
“사각지대 BLIND SPOT”
“COMFLEX”
“가려줘 Cover Me”
“Leave”
“Social Path (feat. LiSA) [Korean Ver.]”
“락 (樂) LALALALA (Rock Ver.)”
TITLE TRACK: “락 (樂) (LALALALA)”
Similar to “S-Class” off of the group's recent 5-STAR album, the Korean title of Stray Kids’s latest title track is a play on words. The song is about pleasure as the translation of the Korean word 락 (pronounced similarly to “rock”) implies. Ultimately, Stray Kids feels as though pleasure is the emotion they want viewers to feel at the end of the high energy music video that is “락 (樂) (LALALALA)”.
The music video was directed by Bang Jaeyeob, who has an extensive history working with Stray Kids: “God’s Menu,” “Back Door,” “Thunderous,” “Circus,” and “S-Class.” The video itself calls back to some of these music videos, mirroring actions and effects seen in earlier works such as “God’s Menu” and “Circus.”
The video features pirates in an underwater shipwreck, eight little kids playing instruments on a stage, people in clown masks, and much more. The intense choreo is paired with an addictive beat and an overload of energy. The members have called this their most difficult choreography yet. The music video was exactly what I expected as it resembles their previous videos. Still, the members brought a new, more intense, energy that has never been shown before.
THE B-SIDES: UNAPOLOGETIC AND LOUD
“MEGAVERSE” is perfectly situated before the title track “락 (樂) (LALALALA)”, giving the listener a taste of what’s to come. The Australian members, Bang Chan and Felix, start the song off with back to back English lines as the intense beat builds up with every word. The lyrics are cocky as the members rap and sing about their impact and the admiration others have for them. Stray Kids have grown to genuinely love and take pride in their music, and given their production quality, I can’t blame them for that.
Their third track, “사각지대 BLIND SPOT” is one that the members find anyone can relate to. Although idols are known to live their lives in the spotlight, there are still struggles that the public is blind to. They sing “What you see isn’t everything, it's hidden in the blind spot…shine bright and prove them wrong ‘cause we can feel our progress” as they work hard despite how many unknown hardships they go through as artists.
Easily my favorite track off the album is “COMFLEX.” To some, the lines “Embracing all my scars and imperfections. Turn the tide, all my cons are my pros now flexing completes just COMFLEX” may seem conceited, however the only word I would describe it as is unapologetic. Written by their production group 3RACHA, the members merge together the words “complex” and “flex”. The song feels like a perfect counteract against judgment as the members embrace their flaws and accept themselves as unique and powerful.
They dial it down with the next two tracks “가려줘 Cover Me” and “Leave.” Both tracks are packed with emotions and wistful vocals by all members. “Social Path (feat. LiSA) [Korean Ver.]” answered all of the questions I had about Stray Kids and leader Bang Chan in particular. Knowing that he became a trainee at 13 years old, I’ve always wondered how he views the decisions he made. The track is the Korean version of the groups August release in collaboration with Japanese singer LiSA. They sing the words “Gave up my youth for my future. I just want to rise up stronger”. The Korean entertainment industry strips all idols of their youth, ushering them into the spotlight at a young age. For Stray Kids to tackle such a heavy topic in a way that shows that they do not regret choosing this path, says a lot about their love for what they do.
“락 (樂) LALALALA (Rock Ver.)” takes all the intensity of the title track and multiplies it. I can’t say that I like the rock version more, but it complements the album and theme well.