Stray Kids “KARMA” full album review

Stray Kids (Source: Stray Kids, JYP Entertainment)

Stray Kids just released their latest LP “KARMA”, a 32-minute auditory showcase that soars far beyond genre and previous standards. As a new fan of Stray Kids, I had to give this a listen the second it came out.

“KARMA” marks the 4th studio album since the group’s 2018 debut with JYP Entertainment. The 8-member team consists of incredible dancers, singers, and rappers, stunning fans worldwide with their stage presence and visuals. Three of Stray Kids’ members, Bang Chan, Changbin and HAN, make up the production trio 3RACHA, writing and nearly self-producing the entire album in between shows on their most recent tour. This absolute powerhouse of a group is one of South Korea’s hottest topics, for good reason. Here, we’ll go track-by-track, covering the songwriting, production, and concept of “KARMA” the album.

HAN in Stray Kids’ “BLEEP” Music Video (Source: Stray Kids, JYP Entertainment, YouTube)

Within seconds, “KARMA” immediately turns heads with the opening track, “BLEEP”. Stray Kids doesn’t hold back one bit in “BLEEP”. The song is a direct stab to the industry, calling out the media and spectators. While the band isn’t oblivious, the members censor out the noise, focusing on what truly matters in their identity. Felix’s vocals cut deep through the chorus, shaking the words “FAIL, FRAIL, LAZY, HAZY” to your core, echoing voices and rumors ringing through our heads. Listening, it feels like a nod to life as a celebrity or K-Pop idol, a life Stray Kids experiences in their rise to fame; weaving through paparazzi, blinding camera flashes, and harsh voices from all directions… a common scene often in airports and the street. The song isn’t an easy listen, but the topic is crucial for understanding artists’ boundaries and rehumanizing them outside the idols we support.

The next track “CEREMONY” is the album’s concept visual and featured song. Bang Chan leads the ensemble in chanting “HIP, HIP… HOORAY!” repeated throughout the song. This is a classic call-and-response, begging to be screamed live in a stadium. While the entire band is featured in this song, Changbin’s rap sections are so well-executed and stand out. This song features Bollywood-inspired melodies, a lifelike drumline, trap beats, alarms, and intense raps and vocals. One of the most danceable tracks in the album, I’d fully expect a mosh pit during the “CEREMONY” beat drops in future live performances. There’s also festival (EDM/upbeat) and dubstep versions of the song… not the typical route for K-Pop songs, but I was thrilled to see they aren’t afraid to step outside the “box” of genre.

Felix for “KARMA” Promo Photos (Source: Stray Kids, JYP Entertainment)

“CREED”, track 3 of the album, feels sharp, dark, bold, and full of swagger and sneak. The lyrics conceptualize reaching higher and higher, pushing limits, and doing what nobody’s done before, while staying true to yourself and your goals. The members’ voices flow together so well here between singing and rapping, perfectly complimenting the edginess and roughness of the guitar and drums, using excellent tone and vocal techniques to create a well-mixed back-and-forth exchange, allowing space for every sound to shine.

The next track spins a drastic turn from the first few songs’ attitude. “MESS” takes on a more contemporary feel, from reverbed guitar chords to acoustic rock drums. The mood calms to a more reflective tone, suggesting a story of heartbreak, regret and longing. The tempo slows down, an emotional trainwreck of a song that feels like a journal entry or breakup text.

“In My Head” immediately moves to an upbeat tempo, the strong beat and electric guitar reflecting more of a 2010s pop-punk boy band, comparative to the earlier Jonas Brothers or 5SOS at its peak. The songwriting is repetitive, not too deep, and sometimes, exactly the kind of simplicity you want to listen to. The song would be a hit live, inspiring an audience of clapping and collectively singing towards the ending chorus.

Hyunjin for “KARMA” Promo Photos (Source: Stray Kids, JYP Entertainment)

“Half Time” is a hype song chock-full of sports references, mishmashes of random audio samples, stadium instruments and marching band drums. You could tell the producers were getting a kick out of making this song, throwing in whistles and whoops every other beat. While the pacing and tempo of the song is consistent, the song builds and drops, rushing intensity before dropping the beat, allowing a rush of adrenaline to flow. The song feels like teamwork, the hustle, the last few seconds on the clock, and the push to the end despite exhaustion.

When I first heard “Phoenix”, it clicked so well in my head, I had to listen again, and again, and again… it was my instant favorite off the album. Felix sings in the first verse, a rare and beautiful occurrence compared to the typical lower-pitched rap sections he covers. Seungmin’s voice blends well with every sound, as always. The echoing bass plucks ebbed and flowed in the background, a vibrant synth cutting through the song, fit to perfection with subtle drum buildups, a building pre-chorus drop, and falling apart at the chorus in the best way possible. The members’ unique vocals are showcased well in this track, allowing moments to shine as both individuals and a group. This song’s lyrics are bright rays of sunshine, a revival of energy, a completely different vibe than any of the other tracks. It feels so well put together, intentional, and uplifting.

Bang Chan for “KARMA” Promo Photos (Source: Stray Kids, JYP Entertainment)

“Ghost” rips us back to the vibe of the earlier songs, a stadium organ repeating a simple melody in the beginning, tied in through distorted impact drums and a cutoff snare. This song references sports, on theme with the album concept, as well as some of their previous years’ songs with lyrics about going astray and being lost. The lyrics of this song refer to burnout, feeling drained, and running around in circles, feeling like a ghost in a world that keeps on spinning.

The last song off the album is a refreshing breath of fresh air. “0801” sticks out with a rolling bass, a chill instrumental, and lighthearted, encouraging lyricism. The lyrics “I’ll stay forever, I’m right here” repeat throughout the post-chorus, referencing Stray Kids’ fans, called “STAY”, encouraging us to keep our heads up and stick around. The song references blooming and weather patterns, providing a strong visual reference for the theme: brighter days are ahead, you’re doing your best!

All in all, I was very impressed with the album. Even while experimenting with the concepts, stories and sounds, the album was top quality. The audio was mixed very well, and the lyrics were authentic. You could tell they had so much fun making the album, and put their all into it. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the songs were special, showing just the tip of the iceberg of how far the group’s versatility and skillset can go. Stray Kids, fantastic work as always… Thank you so much for this album! I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Written by Sydney Wright

Stray Kids (Source: Stray Kids, JYP Entertainment)