Noeasy
| Noeasy | ||||
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| Released | August 23, 2021 | |||
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| Length | 46:35 | |||
| Language | Korean | |||
| Label | JYP | |||
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| Stray Kids chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Noeasy | ||||
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Noeasy (stylized in all caps) is the second studio album by South Korean boy band Stray Kids. It was released on August 23, 2021, through JYP Entertainment, and distributed by Dreamus, nine months after its predecessor, Japanese extended play All In (2020), and eleven months after the Korean reissue In Life (2020). The title is a word play of "noisy" and "no easy" to express the group will always strive to be noisiest even though they struggle the hardships and convey the concept of leaving a loud impact on the world with their music.
For the album, 3Racha (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han), an in-house production team from the members of Stray Kids, primarily worked with many Korean and foreign songwriters and producers, including Versachoi, HotSauce, Hong Ji-sang, Krysta Youngs, and the group's other members, among others. It consists of fourteen tracks, utilizes various music genre of hip hop, EDM, pop, R&B, and rock, including the lead single "Thunderous", and the previous releases: "Wolfgang" from the competition show Kingdom: Legendary War, and "Mixtape: Oh" from their Mixtape Project
Upon its release, Noeasy received generally favorable reviews, praised its creativity, storytelling, depth substances, and unique energy. The album peaked atop Gaon Album Chart and within the top-20 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland. It has sold over 1.3 million copies as of 2021 alone and certified million by Korea Music Content Association (KMCA), making it the first million-selling album of the group and their label. Noeasy won Best Album (Bonsang) at the 36th Golden Disc Awards.
Background[]
Stray Kids uploaded the video Step Out 2021 via their social media on January 1, 2021, containing the group's accomplishments in 2020, and to-do plans of 2021, including their upcoming second studio album.[1] From April to June, the group participated the Mnet's competitive reality television show Kingdom: Legendary War, joining Ateez, The Boyz, BtoB, iKon, and SF9, and ended up as a winner.[2] During the program, they released the song "Wolfgang" on May 28, from the EP Kingdom <Final: Who Is the King?>,[3] as a part of the final performance competition.[4] It followed by the Mixtape Project single "Mixtape: Oh", surprisingly released on June 26, along with the announcement that Hyunjin would be resuming the group's scheduled activities starting in July after his hiatus from group activities since late February due to bullying accusations.[5][6]
On June 29, the South Korean news outlet SpoTV News reported that the group would release an album in late August and also hold Kingdom Week, a television program benefit for the winner.[2] Later, JYP Entertainment confirmed that the group is currently preparing a new album but had still not decided on the album format. Hyunjin also would be participating in the promotions for the new album.[7][8] About a month later, the group announced that their second studio album Noeasy via the album trailer "Thunderous", was scheduled for release on August 23, which marks their first Korean physical release in 11 months since the reissue In Life in September 2020.[9][10]
Before the album announcement, in early July, Stray Kids released SKZ Camp Song: Howl in Harmony, a camp-type online program that shows the process of the members creating their songs and making their accomanying music videos in each team for five episodes.[11] They were separated into three teams: Quokka Bbang Daengi (Han, Seungmin, I.N; formerly Margarine Bbang) to write the song "Gone Away",[12] Yeoreum Wangja (Lee Know, Changbin, Felix) for "Surfin'",[13] and Bekka Wang (Bang Chan, Hyunjin) for "Red Lights".[14][11] Additionally, the B-side "Sorry, I Love You" was teased a little bit by the members on their V Live's live streaming content Chan's Room in early April,[15][16] and "The View" was teased only as a title on the music video of "Mixtape: Oh" in late June.[17]
Title and concept[]
We [Stray Kids] actually thought the term "noise music" was something that we could use as our own weapon.
— Bang Chan on inspiration of the title Noeasy, Teen Vogue[18]
The album title Noeasy is a word play of "noisy", which describes the misconception of the music the group made as "noise music",[19][18] and "no easy", about obstacles and downs and lows of life.[20] Both meanings combined to express that even though the group goes through hardships, they will always strive to be the noisiest.[21] Bang Chan, a member, and leader of the group said to several South Korean news outlets, "it [Noeasy] means that we want to leave a loud impact on the world with our music." Seungmin also said, "the meaning (of Noeasy) is something like, 'life is not easy because of the naggers who tell us to do this and that, but we are Stray Kids, and we are not backing down.' …"[22]
Music and lyrics[]
Noeasy is forty-six minutes and thirty-five seconds long, consisting of 14 tracks of various genres of music.[23] The first four tracks of the album are described as hip hop, and EDM songs with aggressive bass sounds represent fighting and satirizing against the group's antis and haters. Track 5 to 9 shows a part of "emotional" tracks with pop, rock, and R&B sound. The album ends up with three sub-unit songs and two previous-release songs.[21][19][24] All tracks were produced and mainly written by Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, who work together as 3Racha, a production team of Stray Kids. Other members also participate to write songs. Lee Know and Felix co-wrote "Surfin'". Hyunjin co-wrote "Red Lights". Seungmin and I.N co-wrote "Gone Away".[23][24] In addition to the members, many Korean and foreign songwriter-producers also participated, such as Versachoi, HotSauce, Hong Ji-sang, Krysta Youngs, among others.[23]
Songs[]
Noeasy opens with "Cheese", an EDM intro track, with a "strong" rock sound, "cheerful" energy, and mixing "rough" bass synth, which uses the word "cheese" as a wordplay to compare smiling with a variety of cheeses.[25] The lyrics respond flippantly to anti-fans and haters who pay attention.[26][27] "Thunderous", the second track, and the album's lead single, is a hip hop[19] and trap[19] song that includes various elements of Korean traditional music (gugak), brass instruments, and chuimsae. The song expresses the firm belief that they will not be discouraged and keep to their principles no matter what anyone says. The Korean title "Sori-kkun" (소리꾼) has a dual meaning of jansori-kkun (잔소리꾼) meaning "nagger", and sori-kkun (소리꾼) meaning "(pansori's) singer".[23][28][18]
The third track, "Domino" is hip-hop-influenced[26] with a doorbell sound at the beginning referencing the pizza brand, "intense" beats, "distinctive" sounds, and high-pitch taepyeongso,[29][27] it compares their "extraordinary" ambition and confidence to a game of domino. The lyrics imply that their actions act as a single nudge that pushes everyone to follow after them in a domino effect.[30] "Ssick", the fourth track, is a midtempo[30] hip hop and EDM song, which has the dual meaning of "sick", which means "cool" in English, and the Korean word ssik (씩) means "grin smile".[24] It talks about the aspects of fame,[21] shows how they are legendary and make people fall for them, and shows the important message slips of how feeling special about themselves is enough.[30]
"The View", the fifth track, is described as a "rhythmic",[27] "summery",[27][30] and "hopeful healing"[31] upbeat synth-pop[32][33] song based on EDM sound,[32] which blows away the frustration of the difficult past and future while feeling refreshed when looking and appreciating the view in front without worries.[24][30] "Sorry, I Love You", the mid-tempo R&B[33] sixth track, expresses a feeling of guilt and regret for liking someone and potentially ruining a friendship.[34][35] The seventh track, "Silent Cry" is an alternative rock song that describes two people who cannot see each other hurting, and giving comfort to someone weary of the cruel world and unable to speak.[24][30] The eighth track, "Secret Secret" is a slow-tempo R&B[26] song that conveys comfort and sympathy to listeners with the desire to let the secrets that they do not want to be shared with anyone but rain.[36][24] "Star Lost", the dance-pop,[33] soft rock[37] ninth track, is a "feel-good" song with a nostalgic composition for their fans[24][26] who feel alone in the world to believe in self.[30]
The upbeat[38] alternative R&B[39] tenth track, performed by Bang Chan and Hyunjin, "Red Lights" features a "wild" feeling created by "violent" string sound and electric guitar, giving a "ripened sexy charm".[14] It uses the theme of continuing to love someone despite the red flags although it causes suffering, to talk about the unhealthy obsession or compulsion one can have towards their work.[38] The summer-vibe upbeat dance-pop[40] eleventh track, "Surfin'", which was sung by Lee Know, Changbin, Felix, is described as "like a glass of carbonated water" with tropical sounds and marimba beats with lyrics about having little adventures every now and then can heal the soul and mind, allowing them to keep their life on track and not only focus on working.[13][27][41] "Gone Away", the ballad twelfth track, describes an unrequited one-sided love and the frustration of someone who is not able to be with their lover with Han, Seungmin, and I.N's vocals.[12][42]
"Wolfgang", the hip hop thirteenth track, describes a wolf pack making music by following Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and compares the habit of a wolf to hunt for prey in a group to Stray Kids. It was intended to imprint a cohesive and solid appearance and unstoppable will toward the goal.[4] The album concludes with the song from Mixtape Project, "Mixtape: Oh", a mid-tempo electropop song with a reggaeton rhythm that describes the frustration of feeling immature in front of the object of one's desire and expresses one's feelings of resentment and frustration at oneself for being clumsy and immature in front of the person they love.[5][6][43]
Release[]
Stray Kids sets Noeasy to release as CD both limited and standard version, and to digital music platform and streaming services on August 23, 2021.[44][45][19] The jewel case version of the album was released on August 30, one week after the official release date.[46] Previewing and pre-orders for the limited version album began on July 22, the same day with the trailer release,[47][48] the 2 types of standard versions began one week later,[49][50] and the jewel case version began on the day after release date on several record store.[51]
The album's limited and standard versions contain a CD-R, a package sleeve, a photobook, a lyrics book, a randomized member sticker, a unit folded poster, photocards, and a double-sided photocard. The jewel case version, which features a member solo cover, contains a CD-R, a sticker, and a randomized photocard. The limited version exclusively includes a randomized pop-up card and an all-member photocard set. A randomized poster, frame photocard, and a special mini photobook are available for pre-order solely.[47][49][52][46]
Promotion[]
On July 22, 2021, Stray Kids released a two-and-half-minute-long official comeback trailer named "Thunderous" and announced their second studio album Noeasy scheduled for release on August 23. Directed by Lee Hye-sung, and produced by Sushivisual[54] with a superhero theme, the trailer shows the members transform into avengers corps against the ear-shaped "sound monster" with inventing technology, weapons, and brainstorming strategies in an apocalyptic world.[9][10] On August 2, they released the exclusive clip that shows behind-the-scenes footage of the trailer. It shows the members tease about the undisclosed lead single and the member Felix appeared alone and greeted Stays (fan club name).[55]
The group released the track's snippet videos called "unveil: track" for the eight out of new twelve tracks, i.e., "Cheese",[25][56] Bang Chan and Hyunjin's "Red Lights",[14] Han, Seungmin and I.N's "Gone Away",[12] Lee Know, Changbin and Felix's "Surfin'",[13] "Domino",[29][16] "Sorry, I Love You",[34][35] "The View",[31] and "Secret Secret".[36] The teaser images were uploaded in 3 sets. The first concept is a red sporty and avant-garde outfit with a smoke background.[57][58][59] The second concept is black-and-white outfit with a plain white for individual and unit teaser images,[60][61][23][62] and hanok background for group teaser image.[28] The third concept is pastel casual outfits surrounded by neon light properties.[63][28][64]
The complete track listing was announced on August 12, serving "Thunderous" as the album's lead single and included the previous-releases "Wolfgang", and "Mixtape: Oh" on it.[23] The 44-second and 25-second music video teasers of the lead single "Thunderous" were released on August 20–21,[65][66] and the performance video teaser with SKZoo costume on the following day.[67] The online cover artwork, and the 24-minute long documentary video Intro: "Noeasy" for introducing the album were also released on August 23, the same of the day of release.[68][69] During promotion, the group held a listening party via Stationhead on August 27 (KST)[70] and appeared on several television and radio programs, including the domestic music programs,[71] Weekly Idol,[72] After School Club,[73] Day6's Kiss the Radio,[74] and Cultwo Show,[75] etc. In addition to the lead single, the B-side accompanying music videos for "The View",[32] "Cheese",[76] "Red Lights",[38] "Surfin'",[41] and "Gone Away",[42] and live videos for "Sorry I Love You",[77] and "Secret Secret"[78] were also released.
Kingdom Week <No+>[]
Stray Kids appeared on Kingdom Week <No+>, a television variety show that benefits the winner of Kingdom: Legendary War, which aired on Mnet for 7 episodes from August 17 to 23.[79] The first and second episodes, titled No Cut, showed the group's behind-the-scenes during Kingdom: Legendary War, with commentary by the members Felix and Seungmin.[80] In the third to fifth episodes, titled No Solo, appeared the members to head to the villa for resting and play a game called "buddy catcher".[81] The sixth episode, titled Non Stop, collected the group's best performance chosen by the members.[82] The final episode, airing the same day as the album was released, held the album showcase, called Stray Kids Comeback Show "Noeasy".[83]
Singles[]
"Thunderous" serves as a lead single (title track) of Noeasy.[23][45][19] It was accompanied by a music video posted to YouTube,[84] Naver TV,[85] and V Live,[86] directed by Bang Jae-yeob.[87] Both were released on August 23, 2021, alongside the album.[44][45][19] It peaked at number 33 on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart,[88] number 3 on the US World Digital Song Sales,[89] and number 80 on the Billboard Global 200,[90] and took six wins from music programs: twice on Show Champion, twice on M Countdown, once on Music Bank, and once on Inkigayo.[91] The accompanying music video reached 50 million views on YouTube in 6 days release[92] and 100 million views in 55 days, making it the group's fastest and fifth 100-million-view music video.[93][94]
Live performances[]
Stray Kids gave the debut performances of Noeasy with a showcase, called Stray Kids Comeback Show "Noeasy", held on the same day as the release date, as part of the final episode of Kingdom Week <No+>. The group performed the lead single "Thunderous", and the B-side "The View" for the first time at the show, alongside the show's final competition song "Wolfgang", and "Grow Up" from their debut EP I Am Not (2018).[95] The group promoted "Thunderous" on several music programs in South Korea:[71] M Countdown,[96][97][98] Music Bank,[99][100][101] Show! Music Core,[102][103][104] Inkigayo,[105][106][107] and Show Champion[108][109] for three weeks, August 26 – September 12, along with "The View" in the first week of promotion,[96][102][105][108] and "Secret Secret" at Show! Music Core on September 4.[103] "Domino" was also promoted and performed during September 24–26 on Music Bank, Show! Music Core, and Inkigayo.[110] Additionally, "Sorry, I Love You" was performed for the first time at Unite On: Live Concert on November 6.[111]
Songs from Noeasy were also performed at several awards ceremonies and year-end annual music shows. The group gave the debut performances of the sub-unit tracks "Red Lights", "Surfin'", and "Gone Away" as a medley, alongside "Thunderous" at the 2021 The Fact Music Awards on October 2.[112] They performed "Domino", "Thunderous", additionally showed Lee Know's solo dance performance, and 3Racha's rap performance at the 2021 Asia Artist Awards on December 2.[113] "Cheese" was given their debut performance on December 11 at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards as part of medley, titled Stray Kids World Domination, alongside the "hero" version of "Thunderous", and the unreleased song "Hey, Monster", performed by 3Racha.[114][115] The group performed "Thunderous" with new arragement at 36th Golden Disc Awards on January 8, 2022, alongside "Top", and "Wolfgang".[116]
Described as "mega performance" and "action movie-like feeling", "Thunderous" was performed at the 2021 KBS Song Festival on December 17, which shot at Namhansanseong, Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province with the theme With K-Culture, collaborated K-pop and K-cultural asset.[117] They performed the Christmas version of "Thunderous" at 2021 SBS Gayo Daejeon on December 25, additionally using canes, group dance, and parodying Squid Game's ttakji, and dalgona game, alongside "Winter Falls" from the single album Christmas EveL, and covered IU's "Merry Christmas Ahead", performed by the members Changbin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N, as part of Christmas carol medley with various artists.[118][119] They concluded 2021 with "Thunderous" performance at 2021 MBC Gayo Daejejeon on December 31, adding New Year's bell ringging before New Year ceremony, alongside 2PM's "Only You" cover.[120]
As an ambassador for the Korea Pavilion of Expo 2020, held at Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Stray Kids performed "Thunderous", as part of the opening show of the Korea Pavilion's Korea National Day with the Little Angels, and K-Tigers on January 17, 2022.[121] The group also performed "Thunderous", alongside "Miroh", "God's Menu", and "Back Door" at the Korea National Day K-Pop Concert on the same day, joining Forestella, (G)I-dle, Golden Child, Sunmi, and Psy.[122] The debut performance of "Silent Cry" was given on the group's second fan meeting 2nd #LoveStay 'SKZ's Chocolate Factory', which was held on February 12–13 at Olympic Hall.[123]
Critical reception[]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| The Lantern | 4.5/5[40] |
| NME |   [27] |
| Redbrick | 10/10[33] |
Upon its release, Noeasy received positive reviews from music critics. According to Rolling Stone India, Divyansha Dongre appreciated the group "keeps their identity intact as they reflect on hate directed towards their artistry" with "centered around a powerful message of self-expression."[19] Tamar Herman from South China Morning Post summarized the album "offers a lot of different styles to suit listeners and finds its strength in the band's creativity and storytelling," and also tells Stray Kids have grown with each release.[39] Writing for Pinkvilla, Ayushi Agrawal considered the album as "a book that can only be penned by Stray Kids," and praised the album "reinstated their tag of 'self-producing idols' in a way that is above and beyond any expectations," and "reaffirms the group's self-made mighty footing in the music industry."[30] Ruby C writing for NME rated the album four out of five stars, and described the album as both claps of thunder and gradually subsided storms, and "filled with depth, creative substance and a whole repertoire of 'noise' to boot."[27]
Chu Seung-hyun from Seoul Economy Daily wrote Noeasy contains "full of unique bold and energetic appearance."[124] Crystal Bell of Teen Vogue describes the album as "more than noise", and compliments the group "perfect their ability to make even the quiet parts unabashedly loud, showing us how to live with the noise — not run away from it."[125] The Lantern writer Chloe McGowan gave 4.5 out of five score, and said the album features "fast-paced chart-toppers", "sultry anthems", "serotonin-boosting bops" and "heartbreaking ballads", all "incredibly on-brand" for the self-produced idol group. McGowan also said, "Stray Kids fully utilizes the individual talent of each member on this album as they continue to push boundaries and expectations for K-pop while testing the limits and creative devices of their own sound."[40] Molly Matthews, a music critic from Redbrick, gave the album full-score ratings and described it as "jaw-dropping" and "jam-packed" with "energy, emotions, and charisma". She also said every part of Noeasy "drips in gold" from lyrics, vocals, rap to instrumentals.[33]
Year-end lists[]
| Critic/Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genius | 50 Best Albums of 2021 | 5 | [126] |
| PopCrush | 25 Best Pop Albums of 2021 | Placed | [127] |
| Rolling Stone India | 10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2021 | 1 | [37] |
| South China Morning Post | 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2021 | 5 | [128] |
| Time | The Best K-Pop Songs and Albums of 2021 | Placed | [129] |
| Critic/Publication | Accolade | Work | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genius Korea | 20 Best B-Sides of 2021 | "Cheese" | 12 | [130] |
| Teen Vogue | The 54 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 | Placed | [131] | |
| Tonplein | 2021 K-Pop Track Settlement | 41 | [132] | |
| "Thunderous" | 16 | |||
| Billboard | 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021: Critics' Picks | 9 | [133] | |
| Dazed | The Best K-Pop Tracks of 2021 | 12 | [134] | |
| Spotify | Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 | 25 | [135] | |
| Young Post | 15 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 | 15 | [136] | |
| Rolling Stone India | 21 Best Korean Music Videos of 2021 | "Red Lights" | 5 | [137] |
Awards and nominations[]
| Ceremony | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaon Chart Music Awards | 2021 | Album of the Year – 3rd Quarter | Nominated | [138] |
| Golden Disc Awards | 2022 | Best Album (Bonsang) | Won | [139] |
| Seoul Music Awards | 2022 | Main Award | Nominated | [140] |
| Popularity Award | Nominated | |||
| K-wave Popularity Award | Nominated |
Commercial performance[]
On August 17, 2021, it was reported that pre-orders for Noeasy had surpassed 830,000 copies,[141] and surpassed 930,000 pre-orders on the day of release, breaking their previous record of 300,000 pre-orders for In Life.[142] According to Hanteo Chart, Noeasy sold 355,946 copies on the first day,[143] and 641,589 copies in the first week.[92]
Upon its release, Noeasy debuted and peaked at number one on the thirty-fifth, and thirty-sixth week, two consecutive weeks of South Korean Gaon Album Chart for the issue date of August 22–28, and August 29 – September 4, respectively,[144] becoming the group's fifth number one album on the chart, after Clé 1: Miroh, Clé: Levanter, Go Live, and In Life.[145] The album has sold 1,127,800 as of the end of August[146] making it the first million-selling album of the group, and their label, JYP Entertainment,[147][148] and the sixth 2021 South Korean million-selling albums, after BTS's Butter, NCT Dream's Hot Sauce, Seventeen's Your Choice, Baekhyun's Bambi, and Exo's Don't Fight the Feeling.[149] All of the album's 14 tracks also entered the Gaon Download Chart simultaneously for the first time, earning all top-40 hits.[145] Noeasy received a million certification by Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) on October 7.[150] Noeasy ranked at number eight on the 2021 year-end Gaon Album Chart, selling 1,303,106 copies as of the end of the year,[151]
In Japan, Noeasy peaked at number 2 on the Oricon Albums Chart,[152] and number 21 on Billboard Japan Hot Albums.[153] In the United States, the album entered the Billboard Heatseekers Album at number 4,[154] World Albums at number 5,[155][156] Independent Albums at number 38,[157] and Top Current Album Sales at number 69[158] for the chart issue date of September 4, 2021.[90] Its tracks "Cheese", "Thunderous", "Domino", "Ssick", "The View", "Sorry, I Love You", "Red Lights", and "Wolfgang", charted simultaneously at top 25 on the World Digital Song Sales.[89][159] The album entered several national charts in Australia (14),[160][161] Austria (12),[162] Belgium both Flanders (13)[163] and Wallonia (5),[164] Croatia (34),[165] Denmark (3),[166] Finland (5),[167] Germany (64),[168] Hungary (5),[169] Lithuania (22),[170] the Netherlands (18),[171] Norway (27),[172] Poland (6),[173] Spain (67),[174] and Switzerland (10).[175] It additionally entered the component charts of Swedish Physical Albums (10),[176] and the UK Album Downloads (26).[177]
Track listing[]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Cheese" |
|
| Versachoi | 3:02 |
| 2. | "Thunderous" (소리꾼) |
|
|
| 3:03 |
| 3. | "Domino" |
|
|
| 3:19 |
| 4. | "Ssick" (씩) |
|
|
| 3:10 |
| 5. | "The View" |
|
|
| 3:22 |
| 6. | "Sorry, I Love You" (좋아해서 미안) | Changbin (3Racha) |
|
| 2:58 |
| 7. | "Silent Cry" |
|
| Hong Ji-sang | 3:30 |
| 8. | "Secret Secret" (말할 수 없는 비밀) | Han (3Racha) |
| JinbyJin | 3:30 |
| 9. | "Star Lost" |
|
|
| 3:35 |
| 10. | "Red Lights" (강박; Bang Chan, Hyunjin) |
|
|
| 3:10 |
| 11. | "Surfin'" (Lee Know, Changbin, Felix) |
|
| Versachoi | 3:11 |
| 12. | "Gone Away" (Han, Seungmin, I.N) |
|
|
| 4:01 |
| 13. | "Wolfgang" |
|
|
| 3:11 |
| 14. | "Mixtape: Oh" (애) |
|
|
| 3:33 |
| Total length: | 46:35 | ||||
- Notes
- "Cheese", "Domino", "Ssick", and "Wolfgang" are stylized in all caps.
- "Mixtape: Oh" is stylized as "Mixtape : OH".
- Track titles in Korean translation:
- Track 2 "소리꾼" (Sori-kkun) means "singer" of Korean traditional music storytelling pansori.
- Track 4 "씩" (Ssik) means "grin smile" and play with a word "sick".
- Track 6 "좋아해서 미안" (Jo-ahaeseo Mi-an) means as same as the English title.
- Track 8 "말할 수 없는 비밀" (Malhal Su Eomneun Bimil) means "a secret that can't be told".
- Track 10 "강박" (Gangbak) means "compulsion" or "obsession".
- Track 14 "애" (Ae) means "love" or "child".
Credits and personnel[]
Credits adapted from the album liner notes.[178]
Musicians[]
- Stray Kids
- Bang Chan (3Racha) – lead vocals (except 11, 12), background vocals (5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14), lyrics (except 6, 8, 11, 12), composition (except 6, 8, 9, 11, 12), arrangement (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 13), instrumentation (3, 6)
- Changbin (3Racha) – lead vocals (except 10, 12), background vocals (5, 7, 13, 14), lyrics (except 8, 10, 12), composition (except 8, 9, 10, 12)
- Han (3Racha) – lead vocals (except 10, 11), background vocals (5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14), lyrics (except 6, 10, 11), composition (except 6, 9, 10, 11), vocal directing (8)
- Lee Know – lead vocals (except 10, 12), background vocals (5, 7), lyrics (11), composition (11)
- Hyunjin – lead vocals (except 11, 12), background vocals (5, 7), lyrics (10), composition (10)
- Felix – lead vocals (except 10, 12), background vocals (5, 7, 14), lyrics (11), composition (11)
- Seungmin – lead vocals (except 10, 11), background vocals (5, 7, 12), lyrics (12), composition (12)
- I.N – lead vocals (except 10, 11), background vocals (5, 7), lyrics (12), composition (12)
- Versachoi – composition (1, 3, 11, 13), arrangement (1, 3, 10, 11, 13), instrumentation (1, 3, 10, 11, 13)
- HotSauce – composition (2), arrangement (2), keyboard (2), drum programming (2), computer programming (2)
- ByHVN (153/Joombas) – composition (4), arrangement (4), keyboard (4), drum (4), bass (4)
- Krysta Youngs – lyrics (5), composition (5), background vocals (5)
- Telykast – composition (5), arrangement (5), instrumentation (5), drums (5), keyboard (5), computer programming (5)
- Millionboy – composition (6), arrangement (6), instrumentation (6)
- Hong Ji-sang – composition (7), arrangement (7), background vocals (7), electric guitar (7), bass (7), keyboard (7), computer programming (7)
- JinbyJin – composition (8), arrangement (8), guitar (8), piano (8), synthesizer (8), computer programming (8), vocal directing (8)
- Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker – composition (8)
- Gabriel Brandes – composition (8)
- Earattack – lyrics (9), composition (9), arrangement (9), background vocals (9), instrumentation (9)
- Callous – lyrics (9)
- DaviDior – composition (9), arrangement (9), instrumentation (9)
- Nickko Young – guitar (10)
- Armadillo – composition (12), arrangement (12), instrumentation (12)
- Gump – composition (12), arrangement (12), instrumentation (12)
- Jung So-ri – guitar (12)
- Jeon Sang-min – piano (12)
- Yi Sung-chan – bass (12)
- Holy M – composition (14), arrangement (14), bass (14), computer programming (14)
- Kobee – composition (14), arrangement (14), guitar (14), drum (14), computer programming (14)
Technical[]
- KayOne Lee – digital editing (except 4, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14)
- HotSauce – digital editing (2)
- Lee Hwa-shin – digital editing (4)
- Jung Yu-ra – digital editing (9, 12)
- Woo Min-jung – digital editing (11)
- Lee Sang-yeop – recording (1, 2, 6, 9, 14)
- Lim Hong-jin – recording (2, 7, 10)
- Goo Hye-jin – recording (3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13)
- Eom Se-hee – recording (6)
- Hong Ji-sang – recording (7)
- Park Eun-jung – recording (7, 9), mixing (11)
- Bang Chan (3Racha) – recording (10)
- Choi Hye-jin – recording (11), mixing (12)
- Yoon Won-kwon – mixing (1, 3)
- Tony Maserati – mixing (2, 13)
- Master Key – mixing (4, 6)
- Jay-P Gu – mixing (5)
- Shin Bong-won – mixing (7)
- Lee Tae-sub – mixing (8, 9, 12, 14)
- David K. Younghyun – mix engineering (2, 13)
- Kang Seo-yeon – mix engineering (5)
- Kwon Nam-woo – mastering (except 13)
- Chris Gehringer – mastering (13)
- Will Quinnell – mastering assistant (13)
Others[]
- J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul" – executive producer
- Jimmy Jeong – executive producer
- Bang Jae-yeob – video production, director
- Jung Min-hee (Mu: Creative) – photographer
- Kim Chan (Prod) – photographer
- Jay – hair/makeup director
- Seo Ji-hye – hair/makeup director
- Jung Min-ju – hair/makeup director
- Jeon Ji-won – hair/makeup director
- Park Jung-ah – style director
- Lee So-young – style director
- Ahn Yu-na – style director
- Hyun Seung-jae (Zesstype) – album logo design
- Laundry Office – album design
Locations[]
- JYP Publishing (KOMCA) – original publishing (all), sub-publishing (5, 8)
- 153/Joombas Music Publishing – original publishing (4)
- Trevor Klaiman Music (BMI) – original publishing (5)
- Kyle M T Music (ASCAP) – original publishing (5)
- Linus AK Music (ASCAP) – original publishing (5)
- Petal Rock Publishing (ASCAP) – original publishing (5)
- Copyright Control – original publishing (6, 9, 12), sub-publishing (5)
- EKKO Music Rights Europe (powered by CTGA) – original publishing (8), sub-publishing (8)
- Fujipacific Music Korea Inc. – sub-publishing (5)
- JYPE Studios – recording (except 10), mixing (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14)
- Jisang's Studio – recording (7)
- Channie's Room – recording (10)
- Studio DDeepKick – mixing (1, 3)
- Chapel Swing Studios (Valley Glen) – mixing (2, 13)
- 821 Sound – mixing (4, 6), mastering (except 13)
- Klang Studio – mixing (5)
- Glab Studios – mixing (7)
- Sterling Sound – mastering (13)
Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
|
Monthly charts[]
Year-end charts[]
|
Certifications and sales[]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Physical |
— | 53,300[185] |
| Japan Digital |
— | 869[186] |
| South Korea (KMCA)[188] | Million | 1,310,870[187] |
| United States | — | 16,100[189] |
Release history[]
| Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | August 23, 2021 | N/A | JYP | [24][190] | |
| South Korea | CD | Standard | [49] | ||
| Limited | [47] | ||||
| August 30, 2021 | Jewel case | [46] |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Lee, Ji-sun (January 1, 2021). "스트레이 키즈, 2021년 대세 굳히기 목표…K팝 선두주자의 열일 예고" [Stray Kids, Goals to Solidify the Trend…K-pop Leader's Hard Work Notice]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Herald. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ a b Jang, Jin-ri (June 29, 2021). "[단독]스트레이 키즈, 8월 말 컴백…'킹덤' 우승 후 '왕의 귀환'" [[Exclusive] Stray Kids, Comeback at the End of August… 'the Return of the King' After Winning 'Kingdom']. SpoTV News (in Korean). Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ Various Artists (May 28, 2021). "킹덤 〈FINAL : WHO IS THE KING?〉". Retrieved May 29, 2021 – via Melon.
- ^ a b Hwang, Hye-jin (May 28, 2021). "'파죽지세' 스트레이 키즈, 파이널 음원도 상위권 안착 '우승 청신호'" ['Irresistible Force' Stray Kids, also Settles in the Top Tier of the Final Song 'Green Light to Victory']. Naver (in Korean). Naver Corp. Newsen. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Hong, Se-young (June 26, 2021). "스트레이 키즈, 오늘 새 디지털싱글 'Mixtape : 애' 발표 [공식]" [Stray Kids, Released New Digital Single "Mixtape: Oh" Today [Official]]. Naver (in Korean). Naver Corp. Sport Dong-A. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ^ a b Yeo, Gladys (June 27, 2021). "Stray Kids announce the return of Hyunjin, release new song 'Mixtape: OH'". NME. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
- ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (June 29, 2021). "JYP "스트레이키즈 새 앨범 준비중" 현진 논란 후 첫 완전체 컴백(공식)" [JYP “Stray Kids Preparing a New Album” First Full Comeback After Hyunjin Controversy (Official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ Chin, Carmen (June 30, 2021). "Stray Kids currently working on new music, reportedly set for release in August". NME. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ a b Baek, Ji-eun (July 22, 2021). "[공식] 스트레이키즈, 8월 23일 '노이지' 발표확정…'킹덤' 우승 후 첫 컴백" [[Official] Stray Kids Confirmed to Release 'Noeasy' on August 23 … First Comeback since Winning 'Kingdom']. Sport Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Chin, Carmen (July 22, 2021). "Stray Kids announce new album 'NOEASY' with action-packed trailer". NME. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Hwang, Hye-jin (July 23, 2021). "'컴백' 스트레이 키즈, 스키즈 송 캠프로 증명한 '자체 프로듀싱돌'" ['Comeback' Stray Kids, "Self-Producing Idol" Proven in SKZ Song Camp]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c Lee, Duk-haeng (August 8, 2021). "스트레이 키즈, 'Gone Away' 티저 영상 공개…싱그러운 청춘美" [Stray Kids, 'Gone Away' Teaser Video Release … A Beauty of Fresh Youth]. StarNews (in Korean). Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c Mun, Wan-sik (August 11, 2021). "스트레이 키즈, 무더위 날리는 'Surfin' (리노, 창빈, 필릭스)' 티저 영상 공개" [Stray Kids Release Cooling-the-Heat Teaser Video "Surfin'" (Lee Know, Changbin, Felix)]. StarNews (in Korean). Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c Hwang, Hye-jin (August 6, 2021). "'컴백' 스트레이 키즈 방찬X현진 '강박' 티저 공개 '스릴감'" ['Comeback' Stray Kids Bang Chan X Hyunjin Release 'Red Lights' Teaser 'Thrillingness']. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ Stray Kids (April 4, 2021). Chan's Room