TITLE: GO Live (GO生)
ARTIST: STRAY KIDS
LABEL: JYP ENTERTAINMENT
RELEASED: June 17, 2020
FINALLY Stray Kids have released their first full studio album. You would assume with the amount of comebacks this young group has had that they would at least be on their second studio release. Alas, this is their first and let me tell ya, I dropped some bread on this one. Now lets see if it was worth it.
God’s Menu – Title Track
Holy….. shit. The title… I’m on sure of. But the song… STRAIGHT BOP! Makes me want to shake my ass and fight a bitch at the same time. There are so many things that I love about this song. From the beginning with Changbin and Han laying that verse flat with their flow. Speaking of flow, Han’s way of off beat rapping really makes love him. Following that is the contrast of the sweet pre-chorus with Chan and Seungmin is heavenly. And the star of the song is clearly my new bias wrecker, Felix! His killing line of “Cooking like a chef, I’m a 5 star Michelin” FIREEEEE. Is this basically Double Knot’s sister? Did they kinda switch out Da Da Da Da for DU DU DU DU? Now ask me if I give a fuck, cause I don’t! As for the MV… the visuals alone have me giving this 5 stars. Hyunjin’s princess hair paired with dark haired 3RACHA. It’s like JYP came and granted all Stay’s wishes. Is there a concept? Jobs? Don’t know… don’t really care!
GO LIVE
I swear I love Stray Kids’ intros as much as their full tracks. Setting up this whole album up to be pure fire. I’m not even sure I can categorize this fast paced and intense track as an intro. There are just so many levels to it. You can just visualize Bang Chan going to town on the drum machine to make this.
Easy
3RACHA DONE DID IT AGAIN! The vibe of this is so addicting. The beginning is completely haunting but what I like that it continues throughout the song with slight changes that don’t take away from the song. Only thing I don’t like is the slight overuse of autotune. Otherwise, the hook can get stuck… it’s so easy.
Pacemaker
I really like this sound. The beginning feels like I’m in the middle of Crash Bandicoot level. Doesn’t feel like a ‘typical’ Stray Kids song but still in their wheelhouse. The chorus has a more R&B pop groove but mixed with futuristic sound leaves it sounding super fancy.
Airplane
This is a fun light bop. On first listen it immediately reminds me of My Pace but groovier. Very bouncy but could be forgotten among the other tracks. Either way, it’s really a nice summery track.
Another Day
So sweet! The acoustic guitar is a nice switch up. Putting it after a few consecutive heavy hitting songs was a nice interlude.
Phobia
I can see this become one of my favorite tracks. It has a different vibe from the first half of the album but gives a precursor to the rest.The pre-chorus and the Felix and Hyunjin rap might be my favorite. But the hook is another ear worm. It’s a nice blend of a futuristic Rock-Rap with a nice melody.
Blueprint
I’m in love. This is such a fresh playful track. I know I said Phobia is a fave track but this might go head to head with it. The little hints of funk is calling my soul. The chorus and bridge are so pop I am living. I can’t even find words for how much I like this dance track. The MV they released for it def gives me NCT127 Highway to Heaven vibes and I ain’t mad at it.
TA
This sounds a bit like it was mixed with a Flo Rida song and I don’t really care for it. The song feels very one note and doesn’t have the levels I craved. I think I just didn’t like that the verses and chorus felt like one continuous thing.
Haven
I remember this from Chan’s Room. I remember thinking it was very club and I was right. Weird, what I didn’t like about #TA is what I like about this. The vocals in the second verse really grabbed my attention more than anything which is surprising! But at the same time… skippable.
TOP
I admit, I only heard this once before now. And when I did I wasn’t really about it since I’m not really an anime fan. However, the more I listen the more I appreciate it. I’m not sure how it fits with the actual anime but as a release, it’s what you expect from a Stray Kids song. Powerful rap verses mixed with slowed down melodies in the chorus and bridge.
SLUMP
Another release for the anime “Tower of God”. I’m liking this more than I anticipated! The rock elements really stand out and make the song likable. Only thing I could do with is the voice distortion. Gives the song this inauthentic vibe I don’t think is needed.
Mixtape: Gone Days
When this came out in December, I admit I didn’t pay much attention to it. But now that it’s been added to this I reallllly like it. It’s one of their more playful songs. I can see this being performed with fan participation at their next tour… whenever that will be.
Mixtape: On Track
Again, I didn’t listen to this when it came out cause actually a friend of mine said it would make me sad. And they were right. Listening to this song that was basically to the fans, mixed with the drama filled MV, my heart is bursting. It’s a ballad in a way Stray Kids make ballads. You still have your rapline doing what they do best but with an emotional melody that makes you feel all the things. Also, someone cast Hyunjin in a drama ASAP!
BONUS:
God’s Menu Studio Choom
From the fire song, amazing styling and hard hitting choreography (except that weird salting move), this video just highlights one of Stray Kids’ best title tracks to date. Watch it in 4K, you won’t be disappointed in the visuals.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is a 95% no skip album! As far as first studio albums go this is a really good one. They stayed true to the sound they have started to form but at the same time experimented in a way that didn’t seem off-brand. It shows their growth as artists. The kids definitely cooked up a 5 Course Meal!
PRODUCTION : 3 / 5
VOCALS / RAPPING : 3.5 / 5
VISUALS / CONCEPT : 4 / 5
OVERALL: 3.5 / 5
Least Favorite Track(s): TA, Haven
Favorite Track(s): God’s Menu, Blueprint
Unbothered Unnies 