Stray Kids’ ‘ATE’: Every Song Ranked

A high-energy hip-hop observe that embodies the group’s signature sound, “JJAM” is next-level dynamic with intelligent lyrics that add a private contact for followers to understand—just like the shout-out to member Lee Know within the closing line of the bridge, “I do know, you already know, Lee Know!” Make sure to not miss the second Seungmin and I.N (a.okay.a. Vocalracha) harmonize to shut out the second verse.

“JJAM” isn’t ranked lowest as a result of it’s a foul track by any means, however doesn’t fairly compete on the identical stage of experimentation of different ATE songs. Nonetheless, this doesn’t detract from the enjoyment, however reasonably highlights the group’s potential to mix consistency with innovation​ by means of albums.

An inspiring, all-English observe composed by members Bang Chan and Felix, “Runners” delivers relatable themes of perseverance and confidence. The track strikes from Changbin rapping, “Cybernetic system, yeah, I felt like a machine” to Seungmin and Lee Know’s daring assertions: “I do know that I’m turning into/ G.O.A.T., I’m beautiful, let me present the world/ I’m feeling edgy” demonstrating the group’s vary of drive. The euphoric pre-chorus practically eclipses your entire observe with Hyunjin’s emotive texture in delivering strains like “Deeper and deeper, I’m considering, I’m crying/ Too many ideas in my head, gotta let it go,” spotlighting a beautiful rawness that makes the road significantly excellent for Hyunjin however can resonate with anybody who listens.

Harking back to the group’s greatest hype tracks like “Victory Tune” or “Corridor of Fame,” opening observe “MOUNTAINS” opens ATE on an epic tone with roaring vocals from I.N and Seungmin in opposition to a backdrop of stomping percussion. Penned and composed by 3RACHA’s Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, the showcases Stray Children’ signature high-energy model whereas delivering introspective lyrics about overcoming obstacles: “Mountains, mountains, I wakened on the mountains/ Ain’t no one stopping me, I’m strolling like a titan,” Changbin spits. Whereas “Mountains” actually stays throughout the group’s consolation zone, its anthemic high quality makes it a standout observe and the right track to open their upcoming world tour.

With flirty lyrics about having fun with a fling with out the pressures of affection, “I Like It” isn’t simply one other new thematic avenue that Stray Children discover however reasonably distinctive for Okay-pop on the whole. In an trade the place songs about love and romance dominate, SKZ’s strategy in the direction of extra conventional High 40 pop on a Okay-pop observe is uncommon however refreshing—and makes one marvel if it is a observe I.N referred to when he stated, “I hope you don’t get too shocked concerning the issues which are going to return.”

Traces like “Let’s not go official, we will preserve the ‘you and me,’” and “I like that I such as you, however I don’t wanna love” spotlight the track’s playful perspective, whereas Seungmin’s heat vocals and Han’s dynamic raps add essential depth to the efficiency. Whereas letting Stray Children push some boundaries and discover unconventional themes, “I Like It” must also assist the group attain new audiences.

Maybe essentially the most sudden observe on Stray Children’ newest album, “twilight,” blends jazz and bossa nova sounds for a refreshing changeup for the high-energy ATE EP. Written fully by Han, identified for his R&B affect, the track provides a soulful contact, highlighting his versatility as a songwriter and producer. With its lyrics penned fully in Korean (a stark distinction for SKZ music on the whole, however significantly after following the all-English observe “Runners” in ATE‘s tracklist), “twilight” is a soothing distinction to what’s usually anticipated from Stray Children and may turn out to be a key observe in touching followers and new listeners alike.

A track that acts as each a self-referential anthem to uplift the group whereas resonating universally, “Stray Children” is a daring, particular declaration. The observe lets them showcase their shallowness (on lyrics like Felix’s “So happy with myself / By no means doubt who we’re”) and displays the pleasure and ambition of their musical journey (“We do what we wanna do/ The message by means of our music,” sings I.N).

“Stray Children” additionally contains quite a few references to their earlier songs (together with the first-ever Stray Children “Hellevator” in addition to fan-favorite tracks like “Miroh” and “Lonely St.)” and different vocabulary longtime STAYs will catch to create a track with a vibrant tapestry of Okay-pop historical past. Stray Children’ subtle model of mixing private and collective narratives into such an anthem makes it an much more highly effective track — which isn’t one thing many artists can pull off.

The standout observe from ATE, “Chk Chk Growth” sees Stray Children carry sudden Latin influences to their signature high-energy hit-making model in a real showcase of the group’s potential to be extraordinarily versatile musically whereas remaining on message because the musicians they had been from the beginning.

Written fully by Bang Chan, Changbin and Han for 3RACHA, “Chk Chk Growth” and its Latin hip-hop and reggaeton parts are refreshing in SKZ’s sonic world however nonetheless ship Stray Children’ signature, insightful and introspective lyrics. Changbin’s raps have a number of standout strains about how he’s “Sick of this life/ It’s common” and declares, “I’m the proprietor of my aim.” Seungmin provides inspiration by means of the lyrics, “Shoot down my objectives one after the other/ I snipe them,” whereas Han tells listeners, “I’m not a modified man.”

There are even some unexpectedly cheeky strains like, “Filling up my truck, yeah you need that journey/ Hit you want a truck, I’mma make you fly,” first sung by Bang Chan and later by Seungmin on the second pre-chorus. One other enjoyable shock is integrating Spanish into the Okay-pop mixture of Korean and English however remaining fully Stray Children with strains like, “Lobos, we can not cease searching,” with lobos being wolves in Spanish and recollects how the group beforehand in contrast their unity and dedication to a wolf pack in 2021’s “WOLFGANG.”

Past the musical, lyrical and thematic triumphs, “Chk Chk Growth” will get further factors, pushing it to No. 1 on this rating since ATE additionally included a “Competition Model” to shut the EP. We’ll take that as indication that Stray Children will little question proceed their run as competition headliners as they push by means of an epic yr enjoying Lollapalooza in Chicago, BST Hyde Park in London, and I Days in Milan, in addition to affirmation that Stray Children’ chart-topping reign isn’t letting up anytime quickly after breaking chart information and turning into the primary group to debut their first 5 chart entries at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.