Walking the line between commercialism and genuine artistry takes skill. Their previous mini-album Oddinary saw increasing success, topping Billboard 200 and resulting in a new partnership with Republic Records. Upon announcing the recent comeback, listeners eagerly awaited what the new era would bring.
Photo courtesy of JYP Entertainment
Maxident is an experimental release even for Stray Kids, an eruption of creative chaos in the most captivating manner. The album consists of eight songs mainly produced by 3Racha, Stray Kids production unit. By utilising their strengths as a self-produced group, they shine brighter with every comeback as their impact on the industry grows. Lead single Case 143 and its accompanying music video dive headfirst into a curious case of lovesickness introduced in a burst of colours and graphics. It's a new territory which Stray Kids expertly navigates in their unmistakable style. Mischief radiates through explorations of rhythm, and sheer confidence blazes through ebbs and flows between vocal and rap.
The rest of the album follows in the same footsteps. Chill, written by Han, brings his trademark lo-fi composition while tracks like Super Board experiments with synth and trap-like elements. The three following unit tracks see the members evolving their songwriting and production. 3Racha (Bang Chan, Changbin, Han) combines loaded production and scorching lyricism in an utterly unapologetic celebration of Stray Kids and their fandom, STAY.
Fan favourite, the passionate Taste (Lee Know, Hyunjin, Felix), produced by Hyunjin, features his melodic approach through a dark and eerie R&B sound. Its mesmerising choreography and stage show transforms the listener into an entirely magical universe. Can't Stop sees Seungmin and Jeongin delving into the pop-rock territory in an ode to young love. Their incredible voices explore vocal ranges in perfect tandem as they introduce us to a new side of Stray Kids.
The fine line between genuine artistry and commercialism curves into a circle. As Maynard James Keenan said: A circle is the reflection of eternity, just like Stray Kids has no intention of settling for being a footnote in the scene's story.
by Felix Oppheim
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