Those that have adopted STAYC from the very starting would have instantly understood – even welcomed – the group’s newest mini-album ‘Teenfresh’. Since their debut, the woman group have been championing their “teenfresh” idea – A portmanteau of the phrases ‘teenage’ and ‘contemporary’, that are largely self-explanatory – encompassing STAYC’s drive to create their very own house and sound within the crowded Ok-pop panorama.
The “teenfresh” sound has been and continues to be a really aware, conceptual alternative for STAYC. As thrilling as youth is, the rising pains of these years form who we’re. The reminiscences and behaviours of our youth turn out to be the foundational parts of our grownup life. For STAYC, the “teenfresh” sound is their very own method of celebrating the gloriousness of youth whereas additionally imbuing their listeners (and themselves) with the braveness to simply accept and embrace their flaws and variations.
The mini-album’s title observe ‘Bubble’ performs proper into the idea. Peeling again the layers of the bubblegum pop sound, there lies a heartening message: all of us are likely to lure ourselves within the bubbles of criticism and unrealistic expectations, or as STAYC stresses, “being completely different and being flawed is completely different”. The “nagging” of the world is a flimsy bubble, and past it’s a world of acceptance and freedom. At instances, the tune pleasantly reminds us of Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’, one other deliciously catchy banger that delivered the same message.
Extending the idea of ‘Bubble’ is ‘Not Like You’, the place STAYC revel within the liberation that self-love and confidence brings. The pretty easy tune is complemented by a equally in-your-face hip-hop sound, as STAYC element how they’re completely different from the naysayers. “How can I be shameless, shameless however I prefer it / I need you to respect me,” they proclaim. Whereas this album lower contrasts the “bubbly” method of the title observe – the pun simply wrote itself – the underwhelming refrain takes away from an in any other case strong tune.
Thankfully, ‘I Wanna Do’ makes up for the frustration we really feel on ‘Not Like You’. With twinkling synths layered over a clean, mid-tempo R&B development, the tune is clearly one for the nights whenever you want the help of a companion. Comforting vocals invite you to lean on the group as they promise they may at all times be right here for us. It’s a delicate reminder that rising up could also be exhausting, unforgiving, merciless and lonely, however one will at all times discover a residence in companionship.
The one place the place factors must be docked on the album is ‘Be Mine’. Whereas the tune holds up nicely musically – the Y2K-inspired R&B association overlaid on shimmering sound results melts very similar to butter – one can’t overlook the cognitive dissonance with the remainder of the album. After spending three tracks embracing our variations and dealing on our confidence, descriptors like “clumsy” and “needy” and asking somebody to be in love with us “even should you can’t do it casually” appears misplaced to say the least.
As STAYC’s ‘Teenfresh’ would in all probability inform us, nevertheless, stumbles are an inevitable a part of the journey of progress. Regardless of its shortcomings, one can’t assist however recognize the stable goal of ‘Teenfresh’, which matches a good distance in establishing the woman group’s general id. Right here be the world of STAYC: the place festive reverie meets profound introspection, and the place heat acceptance awaits everybody.
Particulars
- Launch date: August 16, 2023
- File label: Excessive Up Leisure
