Stray Kids – Karma (Album Review)

The eight member group return to shake up the industry with their genre-defying self-produced anthems; providing their ever-growing fandom with an album both bold and meaningful.

After the overwhelming success of their DominATE world tour, K-Pop outfit Stray Kids wasted no time in dropping their fourth full album Karma to a legion of supportive fans around the globe. Utilising word play seen in the titles of previous albums, Karma stands for both the good karma that the group hope to continue receiving in their career, and for ‘calmer’; the group channeling any negativity into drive for their future. The album contains eleven colourful tracks that traverse new pop, hip-hop, ballad and pop-rock terrain while developing the group’s strengths in vocals, rap and particularly production, courtesy of the group’s songwriting trio 3Racha, comprised of members Bangchan, Changbin and Han.

It seems appropriate that the album opener should be ‘Bleep’, a jittery hip-hop diss track that displays the group’s unbothered attitude towards haters. As the band’s fame and worldwide visibility grows every day, it is unfortunately the case that unwarranted hate and trolling continues to make an appearance. However, the members send a clear message to these people in targeted lines like “Music to my ears, your silence”; assuring fans that they have little time for such petty insults.

The album’s title track ‘Ceremony’ is a complete shift in tone as the group deliver a jubilant dance-pop track that thrums with energy from a bubbly instrumental and fiery rapping. The band revel unashamedly in their pride at their musical success (“We’re gonna dominate pop it, Making headlines, big news topic”) while celebrating their ability to continue impressing even with the weight of the industry and fan expectations on their shoulders (“Thirsty day and night, They put us in the desert but we survive”). Vocalist Bangchan’s addictive calls of “Hip Hip!” are bound to put listeners in a party mood, particularly when the final chorus transitions into the members’ spirited chants of “Karma, Karma, Karma!”.

The deliciously slick hip-hop bop ‘Creed’ is decidedly more subtle in tone, and yet delivers with its suave rap verses from rappers and vocalists alike. “You know I bite the way I bark” main vocalist Seungmin growls over a gnarly bass track; perfectly showcasing the members’ continual efforts to display the versatility of their talent. This song may be short, but it packs a hell of a punch.

In contrast, ‘Mess’ taps into a sub-genre of Stray Kids’ music that fans affectionately term ‘Han-pop’, so named for the introspective and deeply emotive tracks penned by rapper and producer Han. As expected this mellow and sentimental track, about the regretful and complex emotions left behind after a break-up, highlights the sensitive lyricism and balladry that Han has become known for, while also contributing some welcome variety to this album’s generally upbeat soundscape.

The following two tracks allow the group to settle a little back into their comfort zone, breaking out high-energy fusions of modern pop sensibilities with a twist. ‘In My Head’ will appeal to many who enjoy harking back to 2000s era emo-rock nostalgia with its breezy vocal line (“I’m messed up in my head, a-yeah a-yeah”) and rock guitar backing. Likewise, the stylish ‘Half Time’ will excite with its ear-worm chorus melody and lyrics teasing the group’s bright future (“I’m at the half time, play time, Now I’m just getting started”).

The band fearlessly dive headfirst into their first true venture into EDM with ‘Phoenix’; a euphoric track that shines with the members’ uplifting harmonies and lyrics reflecting inner strength and perseverance. This transitions flawlessly into edgy pop track ‘Ghost’ which details the disembodied emotions felt by someone suffering burnout (“I feel like I’m a ghost…I don’t know why I’m lost in space and time”). While these tracks continue to build upon the group’s genre-bending musical identity, they are both sure to capture listeners’ attention with their slick production and infectious energy.

‘0801’ is an intensely personal song for STAY, the supportive fandom that has followed the group since their 2018 debut. Traversing the gap between ballad and sunny pop song, the boys even mention their fans by name in lyrics that overflow with promises to treasure this bond between artist and fan (“I’ll stay forever, oh I’ll stay here”). While this is not the first time Stray Kids have exclusively dedicated a song to their fans, ‘0801’, which marks the annual fan club birthday, seems even more intimate in its description of unconditional love and support, and its bound to trigger an emotional response from many listeners.

The album ends with two further versions of title track ‘Ceremony’ – its exultant festival version and an English language version for international fans to rave to.

Score/Outstanding: It seems to be widely known by now that listeners will be guaranteed music of the highest production value and songwriting, rap and vocal talent when diving into any new Stray Kids release; showing just how far the group has come in shaping themselves into a worldwide-renowned K-Pop powerhouse.

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

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