Solely two months in the past, Stray Children advised Billboard the band’s 2024 could be “very completely different from what we’ve achieved thus far,” with the four-time Billboard 200 chart-toppers’ newest New York journey already proving that to be the reality.
Sitting inside a recording studio owned by their U.S. label, Republic Information, the Okay-pop sensations’ charisma, candidness and slight trepidation shone by means of in a laid-back, trustworthy chat to recount their Met Gala debut, just-released collaboration with Charlie Puth, and the anticipation surrounding their upcoming initiatives.
Reflecting on their Met Gala expertise, the members expressed how their preliminary worries ultimately changed into pure pleasure. “We didn’t know something about Met Gala,” Stray Children chief Bang Chan shares in his affable Australian accent, earlier than including, “It was a extremely good expertise.” Felix shares that “it was an honor and pleasure for us to indicate what our staff colour is like” with their look, because of Tommy Hilfiger, marking a major milestone in attending one among trend’s most prestigious nights out, as they mingled with celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Baz Luhrmann and Jennie from BLACKPINK.
Shifting to their first authentic English single, their collaboration with Charlie Puth in “Lose My Breath” is highlighted as an expertise for his or her staff to study but additionally share their years of expertise in mixing musical types. “We had lots of freedom to specific our opinions,” notes Han, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the undertaking that included Bang Chan, Changbin and himself writing and composing alongside Puth. For the pure-pop affair, Hyunjin says his aspiration is “to indicate that Stray Children can do this sort of tune” as a testomony to their versatility and willingness to discover completely different musical landscapes.
Whereas SKZ spoke with nervous pleasure to Billboard simply hours earlier than the discharge of “Lose My Breath,” the band’s anticipation for his or her potential new future initiatives was additionally palpable.
Whereas particulars stay beneath wraps, Bang Chan hinted on the thrilling prospects: “If there was a brand new album, it’s undoubtedly very new, very completely different but very real and genuine.” The tour — which will or might not have been spoiled by Tommy Hilfiger himself — can also be necessary, and when Lee Know mentions how “there are international locations we haven’t been to but,” he appears to trace towards a really expansive world trek.
As Stray Children proceed to interrupt obstacles and captivate audiences worldwide, the Children themselves stay grounded and dedicated to repeatedly enhancing and leveling up artistry. Like “Lose My Breath,” their upcoming initiatives all present promise in showcasing an evolving and maturing sound to affirm their standing as boundary-breakers within the world music scene. Learn the total dialog from Billboard‘s chat with Stray Children beneath.
Welcome again to New York, Stray Children. It’s nice to have you ever again, and we have now to present you a giant congratulations in your Met Gala debut. General, how was the expertise?
Bang Chan: There was loads occurring, however I imply, it was a extremely good expertise. We had enjoyable.
Felix: It was such an enormous honor as a result of it was our first time as a staff, and to go together with Tommy Hilfiger to the Met Gala. Like what Chris [Bang Chan’s birth name] stated, it’s such an honor but additionally a pleasure for us to indicate what our staff colour is like. It was unbelievable.
Bang Chan: As a result of we didn’t know something about Met Gala! So, we went in, after which as quickly as we obtained in, we walked up the steps, after which there was Anna Wintour, Dangerous Bunny, Jennifer Lopez and Chris Hemsworth. So we stated “Hello,” after which Chris was like, “Oh, I do know you guys! You guys are two Australians — aww, come right here, boys!” He took actually nice care of us. Baz was there too.
Felix: Baz Luhrmann was there as effectively. So, we had a pleasant chat with him. It was very good, very good.
Bang Chan: Ben Simmons, the basketball participant, who is definitely from and born in Australia, he was there. There have been loads.
It was wonderful to see all eight of you there, however I’m curious how you bought eight invites for the Met Gala and the way you coordinated on the pink carpet along with your reveal as eight?
Bang Chan: Huge because of Tommy.
Felix: Yeah, huge because of him.
Bang Chan: However on the Met, Tommy had slightly little bit of an thought. As a result of we have now to unveil what was beneath, proper? So, we sort of rehearsed how we should always present what our outfits have been. We did precisely what we needed to do and have been advised to do; it was all proper.
I believe it was extra necessary than you would possibly understand. However let’s soar to the current with “Lose My Breath.” What’s the importance of this being Stray Children’ first authentic English single?
Bang Chan: It’s sort of exhilarating if you concentrate on it. However one factor I needed to level out is, I’m very, very grateful to the members as a result of everybody recorded their elements on level and excellent. The English has improved, I don’t know why, however yeah. [Laughs] So, I’m very very grateful to the members however we labored on the tune right here [in this New York studio], I believe it was just like the room throughout. However we had enjoyable as a result of, you realize, Charlie Puth could be very musically gifted so we learnt loads from him; it was a terrific expertise.
You’re so concerned in your music, and Charlie Puth can also be so concerned in his music. How did you discover the steadiness behind the scenes to collaborate?
Han: Because it’s a collaboration, the way in which we work is likely to be completely different and there might have been clashes. However in the long run, we have been very open and Charlie was very open with concepts too. We had lots of freedom to specific our opinions and tried lots of issues So, we balanced it out from the get-go; it was very clean. And with all these concepts we get from one another, we developed the elements that we needed to indicate one another and the elements that we needed to get nearer aligned and ultimately completed off the undertaking.
Changbin: I used to be simply actually thrilled. There’s the Charlie that I do know on social media, on movies or YouTube or no matter, and I believe it was he much more than what I’ve seen on YouTube or social media so it was actually cool. It was cool. He’s so musically gifted, and it’s one thing that I, myself, need to study from and need to have in being so versatile once you’re making music.
What are your objectives or hopes for this tune?
Hyunjin: Because it’s a pop genre-type of tune that we haven’t achieved earlier than, I need to present that Stray Children can do this sort of tune — I need to present the world, STAYs, everybody that we are able to do music like this. We even have a efficiency as effectively, and I need everybody on the market to see what sort of efficiency we’ve ready this time.
Because it is likely to be a sound folks don’t anticipate from Stray Children, how do you concentrate on or hope to introduce one thing new to followers?
Felix: This entire pop style could be very completely different to us, however like what Chris hyung stated, we’re in a position to document the tune and the lyrics completely by means of our personal emotions and our feelings, which implies we’re actually in a position to categorical what the tune is. And since we’re all skilled in making music and simply displaying followers what our type is, I believe followers will actually get pleasure from “Lose My Breath” as it’s.
Bang Chan: It won’t look like a Stray Children tune, however in the long run, it’s our voices, we did write the lyrics, the melodies and every thing as effectively. However I don’t know what folks will assume! I hope they will get a touch of Stray Children in the entire platter.
I’ve a concept that “Lose My Breath” is the primary style or connection to the “particular album” you teased on the high of the 12 months...
Bang Chan: Um…I consider it as a facet quest. “Lose My Breath” would possibly simply be a facet quest…
I.N is smiling, although!
All: [Laugh]
Bang Chan: What I can say is: If there was a brand new album, um, it’s undoubtedly, very new, very completely different but very real and genuine. As a result of the messages that we need to say by means of music are all packed inside.
What’s the message you need to share with regards to “Lose My Breath”?
Seungmin: We simply need to attraction that we are able to, all of our members can sing the pop style. From the second we first started recording, everybody has been used to singing [in] like a extremely sturdy tone, however this time we attempt to, what the phrase in English? We tried to energy down and compress — compressed into our pure voices. We tried to tone it down and document with a sound that naturally match to the pop style. I believe that’s a giant distinction in comparison with the final album — I believe that it’ll attraction to STAYs.
Bang Chan: It’s humorous as a result of I don’t normally get alternatives now to speak about what we did and every thing, however undoubtedly, with “Lose My Breath,” we did strive lots of completely different vocal strategies whereas we recorded the tune. I hear that particularly with Seungmin. Changbin as effectively. Everybody did their half so good.
Mr. Hilfger did share that you just’re making ready a 40-date world tour. Are you able to share or affirm something concerning the tour or preparations?
Bang Chan: He spoiled it on TV…and he spoiled it for us as effectively. [Laughs] I assume there could be a tour? However we’re nonetheless within the preparation course of so we don’t know what’s what or don’t know the way it’s gonna set out…
Seungmin: Lee Know needs to say one thing!
Lee Know: There are international locations we haven’t been to but and meals we need to eat whereas on the tour; touring means we are able to see lots of STAYs. I believe that’s what I’m trying ahead to probably the most. It’s the possibility to fulfill completely different STAYs in several elements of the world that’s actually necessary. However we haven’t began choreographing or growing the blueprints for the stage but.
You’re within the second with this single, however what’s developing for Stray Children within the rapid future? Or what message do you could have for followers as you begin this new chapter?
Bang Chan: [To their team member in the room] How a lot can we are saying?
Stray Children staff member: The much less you discuss, the higher!
Stray Children: [Laugh]
Bang Chan: Effectively, we don’t need to elevate your expectations an excessive amount of however once we head again [to Korea], it’s going to be late Could. We’ve obtained some preparations for, effectively, let’s say, I assume a tour. If there’s an album, in all probability the album. In all probability festivals. That’s is, you realize, if. I don’t know if it’s true or not,
Han: There may be nothing 100% actual. We don’t know what’s occurring.
Bang Chan: Lollapalooza is one thing that we’re actually trying ahead to. The one in Paris was wonderful, there have been lots of people within the viewers, and now we’re off to Chicago.
I.N: We would like everybody to sit up for “Lose My Breath,” however there are lots of issues which might be gonna come up and I hope you don’t get too stunned concerning the issues which might be going to come back.