Stray Kids ATE With ‘Chk Chk Boom’

No one would believe that it’s been 9 months since Stray Kids’ last comeback with ROCK-STAR and ‘LALALALA.’ It’s been a quite a long wait, but oh how worth it ATE made it. Stray Kids continue to come out with new, refreshing impactful music that perfects their already flawless discography. ATE barely feels like a mini-album with how grand and impactful it already is, and that’s all the Stray Kids magic. Needless to say… All eight members of Stray Kids ATE with this release.

‘Chk Chk Boom’

Stray Kids have never been scared to try on different things, different genres, and influences. Whatever they tackle, they do it with their unique style and signature sound. ‘Chk Chk Boom’ is a perfect example of it. There is quite nothing like it in Stray Kids‘ discography as they’ve never truly, fully, tapped into Latin, and more specifically reggaeton, influence before. And that’s what ‘Chk Chk Boom’ is all about: a mixture of reggaeton, hip-hop, and Stray Kids’ own flare. It’s unique and addictive in the best way possible. It’s full of life, energy, wit and genuinely fun moments while being an absolute genius song. ‘Chk Chk Boom’ is different, but it is so Stray Kids. The last chorus of the song makes everything explode, but the festival version that wraps ATE is a sped-up, EDM version that goes even harder. If you thought ‘Chk Chk Boom’ was already overflowing with energy, you’re not ready for the festival version. After taking over I-Days Milano and BST Hyde Park, they’re already ready to headline Lollapalooza Chicago later this year.

But we can’t talk about ‘Chk Chk Boom’ without mentioning the amazing music video. This time, Stray Kids took over the streets of New York with a similar concept and aesthetic to the one we saw in the NOEASY trailer. If you’re still as obsessed as we are with it, ‘Chk Chk Boom’ is sure to be your favorite music video. But that’s not all. After a long time coming, Stray Kids and Deadpool finally came together. Not only will Stray Kids be featured in the Deadpool soundtrack, but Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackson also did a special cameo in ‘Chk Chk Boom.’ We’ve come a long way since Kingdom…

ATE

Stray Kids has never been and will never be only about the title track. While ‘Chk Chk Boom’ was enough to blow us away and have everyone at their feet, Stray Kids gave us one of their best releases yet with the entirety of ATE. Every single song in this mini-album is its own masterpiece, some even strong enough to be title tracks. They devoured.

‘MOUNTAINS’

Joining the holy trinity of Stray Kids opening tracks along ‘Hall of Fame‘ and ‘MEGAVERSE,’ ‘MOUNTAINS’ is an instant banger. This song embodies the struggles, the highs and lows, and the constant resilience of Stray Kids throughout the years through an impactful, unapologetically loud sound, making it an anthem. ‘MOUNTAINS’ is everything we love about Stray Kids with its mind-blowing rap verses, addictive choruses, and that Stray Kids flare that cannot be replicated by anyone but them. ‘MOUNTAINS’ is an instant highlight in ATE and the best way to open the album.

‘JJAM’

If there is one song out of ATE to embody Stray Kids’ unique, loud, witty, yet strange sound, it’s, of course, ‘JJAM.’ This song has an incredible production, making it sit at the same table as the likes of ‘Side Effects’ and ‘The Tortoise and the Hare.’ It’s that type of song in which Stray Kids just have fun and that only they can do. This song also makes the different rachas shine in Stray Kids: with an incredible delivery of vocals between Seungmin and I.N, a dance break to embody Danceracha’s energy, and an unbelievable back and forth between Changbin and Han, wrapped up by Bang Chan making the pre-chorus hit more than ever. Needless to say, this song live would be everything. But until that day comes, we’ll be blasting this song everywhere.

‘I Like It’

Stray Kids has amazing love songs like ‘Case 143‘ and ‘Butterflies,’ but it is no secret that they also have some heartbreaking songs that don’t portray them in the best light, like ‘Ex’ or ‘Chill.’ Somehow, ‘I Like It’ finds itself right in the middle. The fun, addictive hip-hop track is all about the beginning of a relationship and wanting to keep that initial flame alive by not making the relationship get any more serious than a fling. In other words, it’s about wanting to remain in a situationship. Seungmin got us right with the first words of ‘I Like It,’ and it was enough to let us know this one would be another banger.

‘Runners’

While ‘MOUNTAINS’ portrays Stray Kids’ struggles as a strength, it isn’t as simple with ‘Runners.’ It is a track full of energy and confidence, but it is also a track that acknowledges the hardships and the scars. The cyberpunk-inspired track was written by Bang Chan and Felix with full English lyrics. ‘Runners’ is a song full of power and ambition, but also pain. It beautifully embodies the duality and ambiguity that comes with chasing your dream. But ultimately, Stray Kids have always been ready to take over and that’s what ‘Runners’ is all about.

‘twilight’

Any day we get a new Hanpop song is a good day. So we were already grateful to ‘twilight,’ but it still blew us away. ‘twilight’ doesn’t sound like any of Han’s previous songs, or any song in Stray Kids’ discography for that matter. This song is all about soft vocals, poignant lyrics, and a jazzy piano. It is smooth, hauntingly beautiful, and an absolute masterpiece as it truly creates an atmosphere of its own. It’s the song in ATE that shows a different side to Stray Kids than the one that most people will associate them to. Stray Kids can be loud, confident, and unapologetic, but they can also have songs like ‘twilight’ because they can do it all. ‘twilight’ feels like a breath of fresh air and a blessing, showcasing yet again Han‘s genius.

‘Stray Kids’

You knew of ‘3RACHA‘ by 3RACHA. Get ready for ‘Stray Kids’ by Stray Kids. Only this time, you’re going to need tissues for your tears. ‘Stray Kids’ is an emotional yet powerful song about their journey in the past seven years as a group. It’s not only an ode to their hard work, their music or the safe place they’ve created for their fans but also their bond with each other. The lyrics reference some of their most beloved and iconic songs like ‘Hellevator,’ ‘Haven,’ ‘Lonely St.‘ and so many more. The sound feels nostalgic, hopeful, emotional and so true to Stray Kids’ sound. It truly encapsulates everything Stray Kids have been about since the very beginning and all they’ll continue to be. Because, yes, this song hits harder when you know all eight members of Stray Kids renewed their contracts almost a year before its initial termination.

So it’s safe to say, we’ll be hearing from Stray Kids for a long time and we’re continue to be here for ever step of the way.

Was ‘Chk Chk Boom’ what you expected? What is your favorite song in ATE? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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