[Review] Stray Kids devoured new album ‘ATE’
Hungry for new music? Stray Kids has you covered with their latest album, ATE.
Stray Kids ‘ATE’ concept. Image: JYP Entertainment.
Just under a week after their incredible BST Hyde Park show marking the group’s return to London, Stray Kids are back with the album ATE. Known for their loud and often disarming music, ATE is no different and is filled with excitement.
In classic Stray Kids style, every song on the album has input from the members in terms of production and lyrics.
The album starts strong with the hard-hitting track “MOUNTAINS”. The full-on instrumentals matched with Stray Kids naturally disarming vocals force the listener to pay attention to the song. The deep bass line and electric guitar riff give “MOUNTAINS” a commanding energy.
This feeling is only further highlighted by the track’s lyrics: ‘My spirit is high, my pride is unbreakable now / I rule this place, nobody can handle me, hands off / Rising average, my steps are stomp, stomp / With a low stance and powerfully, I’ma go up’.
The lead single of ATE is the energetic “Chk Chk Boom”. The repeating synth beat throughout the whole song is addictive and matches Changbin and Han’s rap flow wonderfully. This is the only constant throughout the track as with each verse “Chk Chk Boom” seems to take on a whole different genre. Each listen will reveal something new.
The track’s music video is just as exciting with a brilliant cameo from well-known Stray Kids fan, Ryan Reynolds, and his ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ co-star Hugh Jackman. The duo ended up on CCB news as presenters breaking the news of the world's end, adding a splice of comedy to the video. Ryan asking if he can join the group at the end is a sentiment shared by every STAY.
The group seems to take on the more Latin elements of the track for its choreography. The dance feels more controlled compared to many of their previous performances and highlights the boys’ ability to perfect any choreography thrown at them.
STAYs will definitely never tire of watching their live performances.
“I Like It” is a standout track on the album owing to its vibrant instrumentals. Not only are Stray Kids known for their impressive rap skills but they prove themselves as stable vocalists too with this song.
The high pitch tone carried through the chorus is light work for the members. The cheeky energy of “I Like It” is continued in the song’s lyrics: ‘Cops and robbers chase each other, full of energy / Pushing me further, pulling me closer, some sort of chemistry / I think I’m addicted to the title, “You and Me” / Don’t ask, what are we? Ooh ooh, I like it, baby’.
The jazzy track “twilight” once again shows off the members’ vocal abilities. The light piano sound and more laid-back instrumentals allow the boys to be centre stage. The song is a refreshing break from the group’s typically more full-on music. With this track being composed and written by Han, Stray Kids continuously remind everyone that they have an abundance of talent.
The group’s namesake track, “Stray Kids” is a light drum and bass track. The lyrics act as a look back at their history and how far they have come: ‘We’re gonna go our way / To places still unknown / We’re gonna show the way / We made it on our own’.
Stray Kids make sure to highlight that their success was self made. With a mention of their debut track “Hellevator”, the track has a couple of easter eggs dotted throughout. The self-titled song is a perfect way to lead out an album filled with fully self-produced music.
“Stray Kids” acts as a love letter to the members: ‘What do you want more, money or fame? / Honestly, I ran wanting more, but at the end of my greed, what was left was my team / A value that can’t be exchanged for anything, another me’.
STAYs will undoubtedly love ATE, as it’s filled with classic Stray Kids charm. From the energetic “Chk Chk Boom” to the slower more jazzy “twilight”, there is something for everyone on this album.
Thanks to their dedication to self-producing their music, Stray Kids will remain to be a tour-de-force in the industry. And of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a little bit of humour!
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.