Being a STAYC fan over the previous 12 months has been a complicated affair. Whereas the lady group began off their profession with a string of robust releases that have been creative and forward-facing, respiration thrilling new life into an business that chases tendencies, the foolish bubblegum sound of their newer singles – ‘Teddy Bear’ and ‘Bubble’ – has been contentious. On ‘Metamorphic’, although, the sextet return to the power that first caught them consideration, however now with a renewed sense of identification.
‘Metamorphic’ kicks off with a few of STAYC’s strongest songs but. On the smouldering, highly effective opener ‘Twenty’, the lady group set their intentions for this new period, forging forward with a brand new confidence to take life on their very own phrases (“Generally’ breakin the foundations / However you understand that I’m gonna be high quality”). And whereas STAYC have declared that they’re all grown up, they undoubtedly haven’t misplaced their propensity for exuberant pop earworms.
That a lot is evident on title observe ‘Cheeky Icy Thang’, which brims with swirling synths and an instrumental that’s harking back to 2022’s ‘RUN2U’ – however that’s the place their similarities start and finish. Within the two years since, the group have grown extra snug of their skins, and ‘Cheeky Icy Thang’ discover them stepping away from their traditional roles with a playful ease. It’s a noticeable shift that exhibits up all through ‘Metamorphic’, from fundamental vocalist Sieun’s bratty speak-singing on ‘Cheeky Icy Thang’ to J’s spectacular vocals in ‘Gummy Bear’.
STAYC are additionally given extra space to search out their very own voices, with the album that includes the lady group’s first unit and solo songs. Sieun, Seeun and J’s standout drum ‘n’ bass quantity ‘Discover’ swaps the attitude-driven supply of the opening tracks for extra delicate vocals. It’s paired with a welcome shift into extra private territory, with lyrics that paint a considerate image of wanting inward to understand one’s true wishes, and feels particularly apt in an album that alerts STAYC’s coming-of-age.
Isa stuns with the sensual R&B gem ‘Roses’, its minimalistic manufacturing a match made in heaven with Isa’s candy, angelic tone. In the meantime, Sumin and Yoon’s ‘Fakin’’ is a susceptible mid-tempo pop observe on which they ponder their yearning for connection and worry of affection.
The love songs are bolder than something the lady group have launched (“Wanting extra isn’t unhealthy / And perhaps that’s simply the way it’s presupposed to be, yeah”), signalling their shift right into a extra mature, assertive method to issues of the center.
All through the report, STAYC’s newfound confidence in love is made obvious, from bombarding their lover with curious questions within the candy, breezy ‘Let Me Know’ to daring them to make a transfer within the sassy ‘1 Factor’. The group discover heartbreak on ‘Metaphoric’, placing a former flame on blast for his or her egocentric methods on ‘Give It 2 Me’ and delivering a carefree kiss-off on the lighthearted breakup anthem ‘Nada’. In the meantime, the group manifest a easy life on ‘Gummy Bear’, which flits between bombastic rap verses and a feel-good pop refrain.
‘Metamorphic’ is just not with out its extra pedestrian moments, although. The texture-good ‘Magnificence Bomb’ and ‘Flexing On My Ex’ are superbly carried out and comprise candy messages of self-love, however add little to the large image of STAYC’s musical palette. Nonetheless, with ‘Metaphorphic’ coming in at 14 tracks, it’s a reduction to see the group sidestepping the vexing new Ok-pop development of tossing in two or three new songs with a melange of previous singles or remixes and calling it an album.
No Ok-pop report is full with out the customary fan tune or two. The energetic pop-rock of ‘Keep With Me’ makes it a robust contender for a live performance nearer, and it’s no shock that the group haven’t been in a position to withstand performing it reside forward of its official launch. In the meantime, ‘Bother Maker’ appears like an homage to old-school Ok-pop, combining flourishing horns with daring, melodic vocals atop an fashionable, heart-skipping drumbeat. “In the long run, I’ll deal with it, I’ll make it / To wherever we are able to go / Lets strive going all the best way to the tip as soon as?” they sing, inviting listeners on their thrilling journey collectively.
True to its title, ‘Metamorphic’ is a celebration of STAYC’s coming-of-age, each on a private and musical stage. Greater than ever, the lady group have pushed themselves to their limits, exploring a myriad of recent soundscapes and subject material. Whereas not each tune hits it out of the park, the report succeeds in showcasing the lady group’s spectacular vary, and greater than proves STAYC’s timeless allure and endurance.
Particulars
- Launch date: July 1, 2024
- Report label: Excessive Up Leisure