The group's latest Billboard 200 shows SKZ's determination to experiment while staying true to its core messages.
Stray children
JYP Entertainment
When Stray Kids previewed upcoming new music following their Charlie Puth collaboration and second Billboard Hot 100 hit “Lose My Breath,” leader Bang Chan teased Advertising sign that it would be “very new, very different”. He also hinted that the upcoming record will remain “very genuine and authentic” because “the messages we want to say through the music are all packed inside.”
Indeed, just eight months after their release by the boy band Rock star EP, the octet delivered something genuine and fresh for the Stray Kids brand ATE to secure a record fifth No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Led primarily by the group's in-house production unit 3RACHA (consisting of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han), the new mini-album serves up an array of sonic flavors that expand Stray Kids' musical palette. Lead single “Chk Chk Boom” ventures into Latin-inspired hip-hop and reggaeton while incorporating Korean, English and Spanish lyrics. Somewhere else, ATE it demonstrates the group's flexibility and willingness to experiment in tracks such as the jazzy piano composition 'Twilight' (written entirely by Han) or the English track 'Runners' (written and composed by Bang Chan and Felix).
Even through the stylistic changes, Stray Kids' ultimate message of representing the underdog is never lost. Perhaps that's why the record closes with the eponymous anthem “Stray Kids” where they declare: “So proud of myself / Never doubt who we are.”
From Stray Kids' more experimental tracks like “Chk Chk Boom” and “twilight” to short classic concert jams like “MOUNTAINS” and “JJAM,” here's a ranking of the songs on the group's latest EP that peaked at chart.
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“JJAM”
A high-energy hip-hop track that embodies the group's signature sound, “JJAM” is next-level dynamic with clever lyrics that add a personal touch for fans to appreciate—like the shout-out to member Lee Know in his last line of bridge, “I know, you know, Li Nou!” Don't miss the moment when Seungmin and IN (aka Vocalracha) harmonize to close out the second verse.
“JJAM” isn't ranked lower because it's a bad song by any means, but it doesn't quite compete on the same level of experimentation as others ATE SONGS. However, this doesn't detract from the enjoyment, but rather highlights the group's ability to combine consistency with innovation across albums.
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“Runners”
An inspired, all-English track composed by members Bang Chan and Felix, “Runners” offers relatable themes of perseverance and self-confidence. The song moves from Changbin's rap, “Cybernetic system, yeah, I feel like a machine” to Seungmin and Lee Know's bold claims: “I know I'm becoming/ GOAT, I'm amazing, let's show the world/ I'm feeling nervous » showing off the group's range of motion. The euphoric pre-chorus almost overshadows the entire track with Hyunjin's soulful texture delivering lines like “Deeper and deeper, I'm thinking, I'm crying/ Too many thoughts in my head, I gotta let it go,” bringing out a wonderful rawness that makes the series especially perfect for Hyunjin, but it can resonate with anyone who listens.
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“MOUNTAIN”
Image credit: Ssam Kim
Reminiscent of the group's best hype tracks like “Victory Song” or “Hall of Fame”, the opening track “MOUNTAINS” opens. ATE in an epic tone with booming vocals from IN and Seungmin against a percussion background. Written and composed by 3RACHA's Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, Stray Kids' high-energy style features inner lyrics about overcoming obstacles: “Mountains, mountains, I woke up in the mountains/ There's no stopping me, I'm walking like a titan,” he spits Changbin. While “Mountains” certainly stays within the group's comfort zone, its floral quality makes it a standout track and the perfect song to open their upcoming world tour.
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“I like”
With love-struck lyrics about enjoying a flirtation without the pressures of love, “I Like It” isn't just a new thematic avenue Stray Kids are exploring, but rather unique to K-pop in general. In an industry dominated by songs about love and romance, SKZ's approach to more traditional Top 40 pop in a K-pop track is rare but refreshing—and makes one wonder if this is a track he's referring to the IN when he said: “I hope you don't get very amazed at things to come.”
Lyrics like “Let's not go official, we can keep the 'you and me'” and “I love that I like you, but I don't wantna love” emphasize the song's playful attitude, while Seungmin's warm vocals and Han's dynamic raps add considerable depth to the performance. While we let Stray Kids push some boundaries and explore unconventional themes, the Likes should also help the group reach new audiences.
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“twilight”
Perhaps the most unexpected track on Stray Kids' latest album, “twilight,” combines jazz and bossa nova sounds for a refreshing change to the high energy ATE ER. Written entirely by Han, known for his R&B influence, the song adds a sweet touch, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter and producer. With his lyrics written entirely in Korean (a big difference for SKZ's music in general, but especially after watching the all-English track 'Runners' on ATE's tracklist), “twilight” is a relaxing contrast to what is usually expected from Stray Kids, and should become a staple to touch fans and new listeners alike.
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“Stray Children”
A song that doubles as a self-referential anthem to lift the group while still having global appeal, “Stray Kids” is a bold, special statement. The track allows them to show their self-esteem (in lyrics like Felix's “So proud of self / Never question who we are”) and reflects pride and ambition in their musical journey (“We do what we wantna do/ The message through our music”, sings IN).
“Stray Kids” also includes many references to their previous songs (including the first Stray Kids “Hellevator”, as well as fan favorites such as “Miroh” and “Lonely St.)” and other vocabulary that he will grab to create the long STAY a song with a living wallpaper of K-pop history. Stray Kids' sophisticated style of combining personal and collective narratives in such an anthem makes it an even stronger song — something not many artists can achieve.
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“Chk Chk Boom”
Image credit: JYP Entertainment
The separate piece from ATE“Chk Chk Boom” sees Stray Kids bring unexpected Latin influences to their signature high-energy hit-making style in a true showcase of the group's ability to be extremely versatile musically while staying on message as the musicians they've been since the beginning.
Written entirely by Bang Chan, Changbin and Han for 3RACHA, “Chk Chk Boom” and its Latin hip-hop and reggaeton elements are a refreshing take on SKZ's sonic world, but still deliver Stray Kids' signature insightful and introspective lyrics. Changbin's raps have many distinct lines about how he is “Sick of this life/ It's regular” and states, “I own my goal.” Seungmin offers inspiration through the lyrics, “Take down my targets one by one/ snipe,” while Han tells listeners, “I'm not a changed person.”
There are even some unexpectedly cheeky lines like, “Filling up my truck, yeah you want that ride/ Hit you like a truck, I'mma make you fly,” originally sung by Bang Chan and later by Seungmin in the second pre- chorus. Another fun surprise is the incorporation of Spanish into the K-pop mix of Korean and English, but remaining entirely Stray Kids with lines like “Lobos, we can't stop the hunt,” with pods is wolves in Spanish and recalls how the group previously compared their unity and determination to a pack of wolves in 2021's 'WOLFGANG'.
Musical, lyrical and thematic triumphs aside, 'Chk Chk Boom' earns extra points, pushing it to No.1 on this ranking after ATE also included a “Festival Edition” to close out the EP. We'll take this as a sign that Stray Kids will no doubt continue their run as festival headliners as they head into an epic year playing Lollapalooza in Chicago, BST Hyde Park in London and I Days in Milan, as well as confirmation that Stray Kids' dominance of the top charts isn't letting up anytime soon after breaking chart records and becoming the first group to debut their first five entries at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
