Stray Kids – ATE (Mini Album Review)

The 4th generation ‘It Boys’ of K-Pop has arrived back on the scene with their colossal 9th mini album ‘ATE’; a multifaceted collection of expertly written tracks by a group still at the top of their game.

If anyone is still in any doubt that the eight member boy group is not only on their way to dominating music charts but the world in general, then they have clearly not been privy to the astonishing week that Stray Kids have just had. With the release of ‘ATE’, the group resigning their contracts with JYP Entertainment, and the delight amongst fans at the band making it onto the soundtrack of this year’s hotly anticipated blockbuster ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’, the band are in the peak of their careers as industry juggernauts. Amidst all of this commotion however, the band proves with ‘ATE’ that their self-produced music is still at the forefront of their identity as a K-Pop powerhouse, and their quality of songwriting will continue to go above and beyond all expectations.

The album is kicked off in SKZ’s signature hard-hitting style with ‘Mountains’; a powerful guitar-based ode to the band’s widespread influence and sparkling reputation across the globe. Member I.N’s rousing vocalisations serve to hype listeners up upon the commencement of the track while leading seamlessly into an ear-worm refrain (“Head above the crowds stand tall for the hell of it”) delivered in turn by rapper Felix’s deep growl and singer Seungmin’s crystal clear croon. The group knows exactly what their fans want to hear, namely high calibre rap performances, and as always they give back in spades; the gritty rock soundscape of ‘Mountains’ providing the perfect backdrop for Changbin, Han, Hyunjin and Felix’s furious verses that speak of the group’s penchant for world domination. The chorus itself is as swaggering as ever as the members boast “Ain’t nobody stopping me, I’m walking like a titan” over a striking drum beat.

‘ATE’ title track ‘Chk Chk Boom’ is the album’s second track, and what a ride it is. Having previously expressed a desire to write something inspired by Latin music, which has had an undeniably pronounced impact on global charts, the boy-band finally succeeded in bringing a Latin banger filled with savage hooks to their diverse set of listeners. While the song does succumb to the recent K-Pop trend of songs being under three minutes long, the track is full of quirky vocal deliveries, snappy repetitions (Ra ta ta ta I’ma make it boom boom chk chk boom”) and suave harmonies that make it memorable. A ‘festival version’ of the song is also available on the album, which turns the whole song up to eleven with thumping club beats and a raging tempo.

Eccentric rap track ‘JJAM’ is also brimming with tongue-in-cheek lyrical quips paired with a bass-heavy electronic instrumental. Changbin’s sharp delivery of “I got no jam? You got no jam? We gotta jam” is a particularly catchy line in the chorus; ‘No jam’ refers to the Korean slang for ‘no fun’ and therefore proves that even after years of writing music, the group are still enjoying every minute.

The upbeat hip-hop track ‘I Like It’ cleverly places the members in place of a commitment-phobic character indulging in his hobby for casual relationships. Singer Lee Know’s honeyed vocals still sound lovely over the chorus’ defining line “Yeah, I love that I like you but I don’t wanna love”, which frames the character’s immature and nonchalant nature. The song is drawn to a close with an unforgettable vocal outro by rappers Han and Felix; immediately certifying ‘I Like It’ as an unapologetic anti-romantic anthem.

The energetic drum and bass track ‘Runners’ serves as the English language song of the album, while also promoting the members’ determination to keep striving for greatness as one of the industry forefronts. The group chant “I won’t stop running, I know that I’m becoming G-O-A-T I’m stunning” and asserts their unity as a group while dealing with challenges head-on.

Penned by rapper and producer Han, ‘Twilight’ is a much more subdued affair; substituting pounding bass and frantic tempos for a piano and guitar-led ballad containing delicately sung melodies. The lyrics paint a sombre picture in the wake of a breakup, but still stand out for their beauty in lines such as “In my room, a beautiful emptiness is left in the night again”. Though it may be subtle, ‘Twilight’ is an immensely enjoyable track characterised by its soothing late-night vibes.

‘Stray Kids’ will prove to be the emotional peak of ‘ATE’ with its many references to the group’s impressive rise from tentative beginnings to K-Pop giants with legions of global fans. With its drum and bass instrumental, heartfelt vocal harmonies, and lyrics reminiscent of all the band has gone through, long-time fans will be sure to shed a tear during this track.

Score/Outstanding: Another stellar album from undoubtedly the best of the K-Pop sphere. Honestly, by this point, this is what listeners can expect from the group – inimitable creativity, inspiring songwriting and of course an abundance of talent.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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