Stray Kids ‘5-STAR’ Album: Track-By-Track Interview – Billboard

Lyrics by: 3RACHA (Stray Kids’ Bang Chan, Changbin and HAN)

Music by: 3RACHA, Versachoi

Arranged by: Bang Chan, Versachoi

Bang Chan: “Hall of Fame” actually brings out the arrogance that we, Stray Kids, have put into our work; promising that we’ll attempt to make historical past and engrave our names on the “Hall of Fame.”

Lee Know: We thought that it could be a good suggestion to set this as the primary observe due to the load that the title itself, “Hall of Fame,” holds. As this album is a particular one, this observe serves to be the right starting.

Bang Chan: We additionally thought that going with “Hall of Fame” for the opening music could be a terrific concept due to the influence that the music has, exhibiting Stray Kids’ confidence proper from the get go.

Lyrics by: 3RACHA

Music by: 3RACHA, Chae Kang-hae, Restart

Arranged by: Bang Chan, Chae Kang-hae, Restart

Changbin: Simply put, “S-Class” is “Stray Kids-esque freshness and dare” in its essence, identical to the title. The observe embodies the message “The strangest among the unusual, the brightest of the special.”

What’s particular about this observe is how contemporary it feels as a result of we used numerous sound sources and music types which create the phantasm that there are a selection of various tracks mixed as one. I’d say the distinctive and addictive rhythm within the hook is what particularly stands out.

Hyunjin: “S-Class” is concerning the strangest among the many uncommon. I feel what makes this observe stand out is how there are numerous musical genres combined and mixed collectively to create a seamless observe.

While all the tracks we thought-about for the title had been nice, we ended up selecting “S-Class” because the title as a result of this was the music that basically screamed Stray Kids. Experimentation isn’t actually one thing that’s new to us as a result of we’re all the time making an attempt to push our boundaries. I feel this helps us strengthen our distinctive colour.

Changbin: The huge scale of the observe’s soundscape is what makes it the right title observe—after I listened to it, I might distinctively think about it going with a really Stray Kids-esque efficiency. I feel the considerably annoying but addictive level choreography and the distinctive choreo within the hook might be one thing that followers will bear in mind.

Hyunjin: To STAY, please sit up for the addictiveness and power our efficiency holds!

Lyrics by: 3RACHA

Music by: 3RACHA, Versachoi

Arranged by: Bang Chan, Versachoi

Changbin: “ITEM’ is about our confidence, about how we don’t need any “ITEM” or “ITEMs” to raise our expertise. All we’d like is ourselves. The distinctive and quirky sounds all through that remind certainly one of a online game and witty lyrics all assist to liven up Stray Kids’ charms and every member’s distinctive type. We labored additional laborious to emphasise plosive sounds to make the lyrics to face out extra. We additionally modified up the vocal tone to make the observe sound extra fascinating.

Hyunjin: “ITEM” is such an lively observe that may certainly have you ever hooked at your first hear.

Lyrics by: 3RACHA, Felix

Music by: 3RACHA, Zack Djurich

Arranged by: Bang Chan, Zack Djurich

HAN: “Super Bowl” pays homage to the large Super Bowl occasion, and depicts Stray Kids’ music as a dish of meals whereas utilizing many various parts to seize listeners’ ears. While we had been making this music, all of us had been very excited to have the ability to present a distinct aspect of us—the lyric writing course of was additionally fascinating as a result of as we labored on the lyrics, it actually struck us how the music feels new and progressive. Bang Chan first drafted out the construction; I can’t overlook how exhilarating it felt after I first heard the demo information. 

While the general recording course of went way more easily than how I anticipated it to be, as a result of all of the lyrics being in English and due to the quick tempo, getting a few of the pronunciation proper was a little bit of a problem. But ultimately the whole lot turned out to be of top quality, all because of Bang Chan who did a superb job of directing.

I.N: We thought that singing this observe in English would go well with the observe higher, so we ended up created this unique English observe.

Felix: The music “Super Bowl” was initially meant to be our first full album title, nonetheless, we determined to carry onto it till the fitting time comes—and so we did after almost three years. This music brings plenty of reminiscences and plenty of good vibes, it’s one of many best songs we’ll bear in mind.

I.N: And “Super Bowl” was really the opposite candidate for GO LIVE‘s title track, “God’s Menu.” I personally love this observe so I bear in mind actually pushing to have it included on this album. I’m so glad that it has lastly made it, after three entire years. 

HAN: We wrote this observe across the identical time as once we labored on “God’s Menu.” At the time we had been actually into the idea of cooking, which explains why we ended up with “Gods’ Menu” and “Super Bowl.” While “God’s Menu” is the extra addicting observe that goals at Korean listeners, “Super Bowl” is geared extra in direction of world listeners, therefore the explanation why the lyrics are all English.  

Lyrics by: 3RACHA, Tiger JK

Music by: 3RACHA, Versachoi

Arranged by: Versachoi

HAN: I imagine this can be a observe that may actually present Stray Kids’ type of hip-hop, particularly as a result of your entire observe is centered round increase bap. While listening to the music after writing it, we realized the way it reminded us of Tiger JK—really, 3RACHA used to all the time discuss how a lot we needed to work with him. I used to be manner too hyper after I was recording this observe, which might be why it turned out to be probably the most enjoyable recording experiences. I used to be so, so glad that we had been in a position to lastly create a full-out hip-hop observe.

We really recorded our recordsdata individually. Tiger JK has been one of many artists I’ve regarded as much as ever since I used to be little and we got the chance to carry out with him for the [Mnet Asian Music Awards] MAMA stage final yr. After the efficiency I bear in mind we went as much as him and instructed him “Hey, we have this amazing track that we would love for the opportunity to work on with you,” to which he willingly agreed. Our corporations then started the dialogue, and we ended up with this collaboration.
I bear in mind after I went as much as him first in the course of the “UNVEIL : TRACK” filming to thank him for coming, he instructed us how a lot of a enjoyable expertise it was to have the ability to work collectively. I used to be so, so honored and flattered. We have additionally promised to work collectively on different tasks if we will.

Seungmin: Regarding the recording course of, we really recorded our components first after which despatched over our recordings to Tiger JK, who then proceeded to fill in his components. Tiger JK saved telling us how wonderful we’re, however actually it felt so unreal to have the ability to simply stand subsequent to him. I bear in mind we saved looking at him in awe, particularly when he was appearing and filming his scenes.

“TOPLINE” is a metaphor that compares our ambitions with a “topline,” illustrating the message that we’re those who paved the way. It was such a treasured expertise to have the ability to movie our with Tiger JK as a result of he’s such an enormous, wonderful artist we’ve all the time regarded as much as. I feel that is what makes this observe shine even brighter!

Lyrics by: Changbin, Restart

Music by: Changbin, Restart

Arranged by: Changbin, Restart

Changbin: “DLC” is about how we must always simply overlook about all these petty, distracting ideas and worries and simply dance like loopy. When I made this music, I envisioned individuals listening to and immersing themselves within the music, dancing and hanging out collectively. The repetitive hook leaves a long-lasting impression, and the robust brass, moombahton rhythm convey the observe’s power and rhythm to life.

While the observe will certainly make you dance, for those who look deeper into the lyrics you’ll discover that the lyrics are also somewhat unhappy. We tried our greatest as an example these emotions once we had been recording. “DLC” is certainly an acronym, however as a substitute of making a brand new phrase, we thought shortening “dance like crazy” to DLC because the title would go well with higher.

Lyrics by: HAN

Music by: HAN, Restart, Chae

Arranged by: Restart, Chae

HAN: “GET LIT” is about how everybody ought to pour their the whole lot into one thing whereas listening to this music. What’s notable concerning the observe is its addictive hook; it really didn’t take that lengthy to make. It solely took us three hours to report, add harmonies, and finalize the observe—this exhibits how catchy the observe is and the way a lot it had been ringing in our ears. The lyrics had been additionally what I’ve all the time needed to attempt, which made the lyric writing course of a breeze. I bear in mind how excited the members regarded once we had been recording for this observe.

Felix: This music has many behind-the-scenes [stories]! Recording “GET LIT” was not solely enjoyable, however the “UNVEIL : TRACK” video additionally turned out to be hype and introduced plenty of power to the room. I imagine this might be a really good and hype music to maintain STAY energized.

HAN: What’s completely different about “GET LIT” from my [previously written] songs is that after I made “GET LIT” I used to be continually eager about how I didn’t need it to be melodical and lyrical, and that I needed some type of efficiency to go along with it. The style can also be completely different. I actually suppose I ended up making “GET LIT” as a result of on the time, I felt like I needed to pour my all into one thing.

Lyrics by: HAN

Music by: HAN, Millionboy

Arranged by: Millionboy

HAN: This music compares like to the collision of two planets; two burning planets dealing with one another are pulling in direction of one another at a raging pace, solely to crash and explode, leaving the remaining extra components to drift round in area. This is the concept received me began on this observe as a result of I assumed that this picture considerably mirrored the start and finish of a relationship. Usually, after I’m in control of directing recording classes, somewhat than sticking to the information model I concentrate on bringing out every member’s distinctive qualities, which means that even when it seems completely different from the information we normally find yourself going with it. But this wasn’t the case for this observe, as a result of I had particular particulars I needed to execute in thoughts—this would possibly’ve burdened the members however fortunately everybody was very cooperative. The cooperation is what elevated the standard of the observe.

I.N: This observe really required plenty of vocal vibrato expertise so we tried our greatest to convey out the vibrato when recording, which was undoubtedly a problem, however plenty of enjoyable.

HAN: Something that has modified from my earlier releases could be the diversification of genres. Honestly, I’ve written plenty of minimalistic tracks, however as a result of “GET LIT” was the primary time I’ve written a observe that goes with performances, I did really feel plenty of strain. Nevertheless, I had plenty of enjoyable in the course of the manufacturing course of. I’d say I’ve grown my very own manufacturing methodology.

Lyrics by: Bang Chan, Felix

Music by: Bang Chan, Felix, Trippy

Arranged by: Bang Chan, Felix, Trippy

Bang Chan: The music’s message is concerning the extreme bushfires that occurred in Australia, which is residence to distinctive natural world. We alluded the lyrics to shedding a liked one, grieving their presence and exhibiting that we’ll always remember what has been misplaced. The writing course of is completely different for each music however with “FNF” I made the music first, then rearranged the construction, then requested Felix to put in writing his emotions for the lyrics.

Felix: “FNF” has plenty of double which means as a result of we relate to individuals and STAY via lyrics, and needed to speak concerning the bushfire incidents that occurred in our residence, Australia. Even to today there are various bushfires so we needed to unfold the message and specific how we really feel. It’s been some time since I wrote and composed for music, so whereas it was a bit nerve wracking it was additionally enjoyable to expertise the method for the primary time in such a very long time.

Lyrics by: Bang Chan

Music by: Bang Chan, Nickko Young

Arranged by: Nickko Young

Seungmin: This heartwarming music delivers the message of how everybody is gorgeous and wonderful simply the best way they’re! I hope STAY hearken to this each time they’re feeling down, in order that this music can assist increase their vanity. All of our members sang in English, so I’m constructive that our message will have the ability to attain STAY from all world wide!

Bang Chan: I suppose you may name “Youtiful” a really heartwarming music. Hoping that the message can provide energy to the listeners, the lyrics are primarily based on the nice and cozy phrases and phrases that we obtained. We needed to point out that it’s additionally meant for STAYs and everybody else on the earth. English is my native language, so I suppose it did convey out my honest feelings. English can also be the common language, so I hoped that the message of the music would attain out to everybody on the market. But additionally wordplay is fairly vital for Stray Kids, ever for the reason that begin we’ve created distinctive titles as a result of we imagine that it brings just a little extra influence and makes the music just a little extra memorable.

Lyrics by: 3RACHA

Music by: 3RACHA, Zack Djurich, Kyle Reynolds, Chris LaRocca

Arranged by: Bang Chan, Zack Djurich, Kyle Reynolds, Chris LaRocca

Hyunjin: This was really our Japanese album’s title observe so many STAY love this music, and we determined so as to add it to our Korean album as properly! I imagine the powerfulness that this observe emits actually fits Stray Kids properly.

Lee Know: This music was one which we initially recorded in Japanese so fortunately we had been already acquainted with the melody and movement of the observe—which undoubtedly helped pace up the recording course of! Because STAY had been trying ahead to this model, and since it’s such a strong observe, we actually needed so as to add it to this album.

Lyrics by: 3RACHA

Music by: 3RACHA, Versachoi, Jun2

Arranged by: Bang Chan, Versachoi, Jun2

Changbin: We made this observe in reminiscence of all of the glad moments we spent collectively throughout our summer season journey to Gangwon-do. Just just like the title “Time Out,” we expressed the message “throw away all your worries far, far away and travel with us along with the soft breeze” via the refreshing rock style.

I.N: 3RACHA wrote this observe after being impressed by our group journey. That’s why for those who hear intently, you may hear sounds of us laughing—these sounds had been taken from video clips we filmed throughout our journey. The sounds of us laughing have develop into a part of the music! STAY, please give our new album tons and plenty of love. We might be exhibiting you a lot sides of us so please sit up for the whole lot!

Seungmin: 5-STAR incorporates so many wonderful songs. We are so able to be again, so please sit up for what we have now in retailer. We may also attempt our greatest to point out solely our greatest!