Eight-member K-pop boy group Stray Kids released their fourth full album, “KARMA,” on Friday, Aug. 22. As the title suggests, the main themes of this album relate to Stray Kids’ karma: the achievements and global recognition they have received in spite of setbacks and hate. The album consists of 11 songs and contains a wide variety of genres ranging from the rap-style of “CREED” to the fan-dedicated ballad of “0801.” Spanning 32 minutes, “KARMA” starts off very strong and upbeat to signify the band’s self conviction.
The first three songs — “BLEEP,” “CEREMONY” and “CREED” — kick off the album with vigorous beats and a unique use of instruments, specifically drums. They also include exciting lyrics and vocalizations, like the cheering in “CEREMONY”, to draw listeners in. Their lyrics instill confidence in their listeners and talk about living in the moment, such as in “CEREMONY,” where they sing, “You and I, let’s go celebrate / Yeah it’s getting intense now / Flicker flicker, call it emergency / We don’t care, show them we’re on our feet.”
Each song in Stray Kids’ discography is blended with different styles and lyrics, and their experimental sound and production makes each album unique. The style of “noise music,” is defined by loud instrumentals and aggressive vocal delivery, appearing in two out of 11 songs throughout “KARMA.” Some listeners criticize noise music for not being personal or meaningful. However, for some producers and performers, “noise music” is another form of self-expression. The style uses stimulating sounds to convey strong emotions or moods like anger, anxiety and/or confusion, rather than just relying on the lyrics. For a group whose audience may not be completely fluent in their primary language — Korean — the style allows the message of the song to remain clear. The beat’s intense volume builds excitement, and even without listening to the lyrics, the songs are fun and danceable.
Similarly, the lyrics of “BLEEP” reflect the group’s confidence in themselves and their art in spite of haters (such as the song “Bounce Back” from their album “HOP”), and celebrates their good karma — themes that are consistent in the lyrics of “CEREMONY” and “CREED.” In “BLEEP,” they sing, “Doesn’t matter what they say, I’m driven / Filter out their ways and listen / Music to my ears, your silence” likewise in “CREED” they say, “I’ll make sure I get what I want / My creed, it keeps me breathing,”, once more addressing outsider hate in their songs. Three of the members — Bang Chan, Changbin and Han — are also the primary producers of Stray Kids’ music, and accordingly the group’s songs emphasize maintaining control over their music and remaining as artists. This pattern is nothing out of the ordinary, since Stray Kids is known for its empowering lyrics and energetic music.
However, the next few songs take on a softer tone with “MESS” and “In Your Head.” This shift in mood highlights the members’ vocals, adopting a more emotional tone to better connect with listeners. The members of Stray Kids convey meaning in different ways, while maintaining all aspects that draw people to their music. This emphasizes on the group’s duality. For example some songs curate a sound or mood using loud drums or synthesizers, contrasting the group’s softer, more vulnerable songs that focus on electric guitar and resonant vocals.
Despite these strengths, the album would benefit from having tracks with subgroups. Subgroups for Stray Kids usually consist of two or three members with similar musical strengths or performance styles. All the songs on “KARMA” have all eight members singing, and the use of subgroups is another way to provide variety to the record. Although the line distribution is equal, having eight members on a song limits how much each person can display their talents. For example, in the first song, “CEREMONY,” Felix only sings the bridge and ad-libs. Songs with fewer members in them allow for those tracks to be more personal and unique, making the album feel more personal.
On the other hand, having a diverse group with different vocals and musical style makes Stray Kids’ music interesting, with the contrast between one member’s raspy deep voice to another’s higher.
The vocals add depth to the songs, as in “Ghost,” Felix, a member who is popular for his deep voice, sings the refrain and Changbin, raps the second verse, while the chorus is sung by Bang Chan and I.N. with smoother vocals. The vocalists of the group — I.N and Seungmin — sing the chorus in a higher pitch, elevating their part as it sits between verses that are sung by members with deeper, raspier voices.
Stray Kids’ emphasis on loud instrumentals and beats makes their music exciting and fun to listen to. Its strength lies in its ability to be cohesive while still having some variety, providing the album with depth. “KARMA” is electric and sincere, taking listeners on a journey through the group’s experiences with both the backlash and support they received throughout their careers.
Rating: 4/5
