Within the music industry, artists are constantly being rated and judged based on the perception of listeners. However on June 2, Stray Kids proved just how much they deserve five stars with their latest album ★★★★★ (5-STAR). The group proves this when you look at just how much they relate to the five most popular stars in the sky–Polaris, Sirius, Alpha Centauri, Betelgeuse, and Rigel–through the latest tracks on their album.

The Polaris star consists of a trinary star system, meaning that it is a creation of three separate elements. Similar to how Stray Kids’ music is created by 3RACHA and how the members split themselves into three systems (3RACHA, Dance-Racha, and Vocal-Racha), all three units are integral to make Stray Kids complete.

On the ★★★★★ (5-STAR) album, “위인전 (Hall of Fame)” is Stray Kids in every way possible. They use a range of different sounds that make the track feel as though it’s part of a movie soundtrack. Their use of electronic instruments is emphasized by the quick-paced melodic scale used, making you feel almost animated as the album begins. Their confidence throughout the track is infectious as they emphasize this new era: “My career reaches a new peak / A jaw-dropping spectacle, legendary.” Their brief mention of Neil Armstrong is followed by his famous quote: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” 3RACHA’s efforts in creating this new sound for Stray Kids does not go unnoticed.

A faux phone ring welcomes us to “ITEM” where Changbin’s staccato rap verse upholds a sense of excitement to what’s to come in the rest of the track. Han’s fast-paced rap verse puts an automatic stank face on you as he seamlessly keeps going. While the rappers carry the rap lines, youngest member I.N. carries the lighter verses alongside Seungmin and Lee Know, whose voices mellow out the track. “ITEM” shows the different functions of the group and how they all work together to complete a song.

If we were talking about songs that are indescribably Stray Kids, “Super Bowl” is up there. Not only is it addictive, but it’s an ear worm that I’m not trying to get rid of anytime soon. It’s rich but minimal sound is one that has you moving, similar to member Changbin’s solo track “DOODLE” – an undeniable hip shaker. The whispering in Felix’s line holds a reference to his famous “God’s Menu" line: “Finger licking yeah we’re cooking up a Super Bowl, in the kitchen, Michelin, irresistible (Ooh).” In my eyes, “Super Bowl” is the older brother to “God’s Menu” that had me replaying it three times before moving on to the next song.

“특 (S-Class)” serves as the title track to ★★★★★ (5-STAR). Unlike the intro, the track is quite minimal but still remains interesting with their use of a variety of sounds through sound effects, the structure of the song, and how they enunciate certain lines in the track. For this song, they follow a formula that many artists use and listeners recognise as what defines many big K-Pop songs. Similar to Girls Generation’s “I Got a Boy,” each verse of “특 (S-Class)” has a different structure. The first verse holds, whereas the second verse has that '90s hip-hop element to it, feeling similar to OG K-Pop group Seo Taiji and Boys.

Parts of the music video were filmed near the Han River, which is fitting as the track opens with, “This is Seoul City,” leading to a strong start. Stray Kids prove time and time again that they are the mass destruction ready to disrupt the K-Pop scene, and the sci-fi elements they add in the music video emphasize just that.

Not only did “특 (S-Class)” show that this album was them entering a new era, but they get the extra satisfaction of having bragging rights after featuring Tiger JK on this album. “TOPLINE” is noise music done right, with tanginess within the instruments and how spacious the track feels. This makes for a fun listen as Tiger JK’s rap style stands out, but adjusts right back in when followed by Han. After performing together at the 2022 Mnet Asian Music Awards, Tiger JK showed as much enthusiasm to work with Stray Kids again as they did with him, leading them to create something amazing.

Alpha Centauri has the closest star system to Earth’s solar system, and one of its stars is the nearest star to Earth other than the sun. Amid K-Pop, Stray Kids have created their own genre of music that is unique to them. Despite this, each of their own producing styles and lyrics are quite distinct to them and they’re able to adapt to new and different sounds.

Take “죽어보자 (GET LIT)” and “충돌 (Collision)” for example. The two tracks sit side by side as track seven and eight and were both written by Han, but they are two completely separate entities. Where “죽어보자 (GET LIT)” has a strong bass reminiscent to “Back Door” and has far stronger distorted elements to it, “충돌 (Collision)” has more of a K-R&B atmospheric sound to it, featuring the saxophone and lighter, more tinny sounds within its beat. Both songs target different audiences but both are undeniably Han. Hyunjin and Bang Chan's parts within “충돌 (Collision)” are some of my favorite parts of this album as a whole. I would like to hear them both more on beats like this: upbeat but chill at the same time.

Betelgeuse is a star that astronomers always look out for because they know it’ll one day go supernova, meaning that it’ll explode in a burst of light which, depending on the impact, can outshine entire galaxies. When Stray Kids first debuted, leader Bang Chan was the one who chose the members he wanted to work with. He and 3RACHA alongside a small handful of producers curated the group’s sound along the way, and with everyone’s efforts, it’s undeniable that they were destined to hit big and go far.

Amidst the group’s stronger songs, you’ll find gems such as “DLC” that are light and fun songs perfect for the summer. The reverb within the beat makes you feel like you’re underwater and simply existing as the track plays. Lee Know and I.N's voices are so light that they keep you steady throughout the song, and Changbin’s production on this track is one that is fun throughout. The digital instruments and voices of the members are so playful together, and the vocal direction makes the track exciting from beginning to end.

Each of the members have had their fair share of writing credits within the group’s discography, and Felix and Bang Chan’s teamwork on “FNF” is evident. There’s something about hearing someone’s fingers go across the guitar fret that just adds such a nice element to a song, and I like how the intro features this. Felix’s vocal lines and Hyunjin’s rap lines stand out a lot here. “FNF” faintly reminds me of the Stray Kids’ Clé series. This familiarity made me reflect on just how far the group has come from then to now. From originally being nine members to now an amazing eight, they have had to rediscover their own sound within an industry that thrives on each group being unique, which is not easy. Throughout ★★★★★ (5-STAR), each of their efforts leading up to this project can be heard.

Stray Kids have been given the title of being the leaders of fourth-generation K-Pop; however, they are still a young group–similar to how Rigel is also a young star. They’ve shared so many aspects of their lives these past five years that many think they’ve been around for longer, but they are young giants and pioneers of their own sound in the K-Pop world.

“THE SOUND” is the Korean version of their January 2023 Japanese single of the same name, which has heavy rock elements on it similar to the beginning of ★★★★★ (5-STAR). I understand why they would want to promote this again as it’s an all-round great song that deserves to be translated into different languages. This is followed by “Mixtape : Time Out” which is also familiar to fans as it was originally released back in August 2022. The pop-punk, pop-rock end to the album has many predicting that this could be the new direction for Stray Kids, but these kids are unpredictable.

However, the last of the newer songs ends with the tenth track “Youtiful” which ties everything in. From the group’s I am… trilogy, which held a lot of pent up anxieties and stress about growing up that fans and members alike related to, to the Clé trilogy where a rebellion was discovered and tested, and then to GO LIVE, NOEASY, ODDINARY, and MAXIDENT which have all served as major releases to the group’s progression in the music industry, I think it’s almost safe to say that Stray Kids have found who they truly are. “Youtiful” feels like the older version of them patting themselves and fans on the back. This journey that they’ve brought us on has been beautiful, and myself and many fans alike feel proud that Stray Kids have gotten to this stage of their careers where they have the confidence to create, collaborate, and release what they’re proud of. I wouldn’t change this album or them at all.

What’s more fitting than to give ★★★★★ 5-STAR five stars?

The album is available now on Spotify and all streaming platforms.

“특 (S-Class)” Title Score: 10/10

“특 (S-Class)” Music Video Score: 10/10

★★★★★ (5-STAR) Album Score: 10/10

Total Score: 10/10

Edited by Cara Musashi