TITLE: NOEASY
ARTIST: STRAY KIDS
LABEL: JYP ENTERTAINMENT
RELEASED: August 23, 2021
A little over a year since their first album release and almost 3 months since their deserving win on Kingdom: Legendary War, the kids are back with their second full length album. So much has happened to the little group who could from JYP. But the important thing is the music so lets get into it shall we.
Thunderous (소리꾼)- Title Track
I have seriously sat here and listened to this track on repeat at least 6 times to try and formulate coherent thoughts. The song has left me speechless because I love it so much. From the beginning of the song, you think it’s going to be one thing and then that drop comes in and rocks your world. AND THEN CHANGBIN! His purposeful off beat rapping works so well here! Everything about this song just works.
CHEESE
In the tradition of making strong intros, CHEESE definitely holds up. At least we get a full song this time but the more electronica rock sound is one that SKZ loves playing with. The sound reminds me of Kanye’s Black Skinhead somewhat but only slightly.
DOMINO
I live for a 3RACHA heavy song and this is one straight out the gate. It’s a rough song with a softer hook but still has the ability to keep you hype. I love that they can put two distinctive sounds in a song and have them blend so easily.
SSICK
I think that this song and DOMINO go hand in hand because they basically do the same thing but this one just has a different kind of drop.
The View
From when this was teased, I knew I was going to love it. It is said to be a healing song and it really does that. It sounds like another song but I can’t remember it because this one is obviously better lol
Sorry, I Love You
An emotional hip-hop track is something SKZ doesn’t really do but I am enjoying this. The intense beats of the chorus keeps you bopping and the mellow verses tug at your heartstrings.
Silent Cry
This really sounds like a what if Stray Kids did R&B. The typical elements start off the song but then it gets the SKZ spin and I love it. The more hip-hop style pre-chorus is amazing.
Secret Secret
A track that keeps me in my feels basically. I’m a firm believer that Changbin’s tone is so fitting for songs like this. Just a good song to vibe out to.
Star Lost
This might be the most pop and radio ready song I’ve heard so far and that isn’t really a plus for me. I feel like I need to be at a music festival to enjoy this song to its fullest potential. I think I like the pre-chorus more than the whole song. But I can see this growing on me.
Red Lights (Bang Chan & Hyunjin)
Of course the two sexiest members are going to make this kind of song. I love the combination of the strings and guitar. It gives the song an edge that is a little dark but the vocals keep it sexy. It reminds me of The Weeknd’s 50 shades track mostly but who says that’s bad? Who gave them a red room and how do I get an invite? Why is Chan breathing so hard in the beginning? SO MANY QUESTIONS
Surfin (Lee Know, Changbin, Felix)
Talk about a perfect summer track. I didn’t really expect this kind of song from the Yeoreum Wangja crew but they turned it out. The tropical beats really make this song fun and refreshing. I could have done without some of the voice augmentation but still a bop.
Gone Away (Han, Seungmin, I.N)
I love a vocal line song and basically any song that highlights Han Jisung singing. And this was really a treat. With Seungmin’s voice changing, he’s really starting to come into a nice place vocally and with Han and I.N there, they blend super nicely.
WOLFGANG
SKZ really got themselves a hit with this Kingdom song. The song is dark, hard and oddly romantic. It’s like reading a gothic novel in musical form with some hard rapping thrown on top.
Mixtape: Oh
Not SKZ owning my soul when this was pre-released. On one hand I was unfocused because we actually had Hyunjin back and I was SO hyper focused on it. But then when I actually focus on the song I’m in love because I love a mid-tempo track from SKZ. And then they gonna season it with a little sazon! That reggaetón beat is slick!!
BONUS:
Thunderous Trailer
This just showcases how hilarious they are as a group. And creative. When it comes to concept, this has to be one of their bests.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Last time I said that GO was a 95% no skip album. Even with the songs I’m not crazy for, this is truly the no skip album. 3RACHA have elevated their talents and are really a producing team of magic. This album feels undeniably Stray Kids and I love that for them. There are things I’m not entirely happy about. Mostly when it comes to how they have almost eliminated Hyunjin from being the center which is what he was born to do. But I guess we have to put up with JYP trying to not hurt kfan’s feelings.
PRODUCTION : 4.5 / 5
VOCALS / RAPPING : 4.5 / 5
VISUALS / CONCEPT : 4 / 5
OVERALL: 4.5 / 5
Favorite Track(s): DOMINO, Mixtape: Oh, Surfin
Unbothered Unnies 