2026 has been filled with excitement and anticipation for the next chapter of Stray Kids‘ history. We knew they were preparing something really special, and the pre-release of ‘RUN IT’ was enough to let us know this would be an era for the books. THIS & THAT was a storm even before its release, and it lived up to all the excitement and hype. Not only are Stray Kids out there making history, but they’re expanding their sound, creating something new, refreshing, and unique. Stray Kids always have the last word when it comes to offering new things and expanding their universe: there’s no stopping, there’s no standing still, just evolving and serving the best music.
The Title Track
‘This & That’ has many elements that are key to any Stray Kids song: the charisma, the wit, the catchy seeming-effortless lyrics, a perfect balance between clever rap verses and mind-blowing vocals, and yet it feels so distinct from anything Stray Kids have put out as a title track. ‘This & That’ still holds a lot of power, but it is more subtle, more laid-back, more cheeky, and it might have one of the most addictive, infectious, and catchy hooks Stray Kids have ever done. Stray Kids aren’t strangers to mixing and fusing different genres, especially when it comes to hip-hop and electronic, but ‘This & That’ feels like a new way to express that blend. The choreography is a huge highlight of this comeback as well, with sharp yet subtle hip-hop moves. And the festival version of the song fills the song with even more energy, easily getting added to Stray Kids songs we would play at a rave.
‘This & That’ feels so true to who they are as a group and as artists. They aren’t afraid to try new things and create something new by not compromising standards of what should go together and what shouldn’t. ‘This & That’ is simply proof of why Stray Kids‘ music has been making history.
The B-Sides
To accompany a title track that is all about how they will unapologetically take inspiration from everything around them and make it their own, of course, they had to release an album where every song feels so uniquely Stray Kids. Each b-side is a world on its own, and together they make way for an album that only Stray Kids could come up with and pull off.
‘RUN IT’
‘RUN IT’ was the grand opening for this new era, and the word ‘grand’ doesn’t even begin to describe the power and the legendary feeling of this opening track. ‘RUN IT‘ represents the most dramatically powerful tracks Stray Kids have ever put out, with a huge performance, lyrics that represent their entire journey, and one of the best outros in their discography. If, for some unknown reason, you’ve managed to go past ‘RUN IT,’ you might be missing out on one of the greatest Stray Kids songs ever.
‘After You’
THIS & THAT feels very special because Stray Kids truly tried to push their sound and influences to new levels. With songs like ‘Phoenix‘ in their discography, Stray Kids are absolutely no strangers to including pop-EDM in their albums, and they pull it off incredibly with ‘After You.’ A perfect pop melody, an immaculate late-night summer feeling, and you get a song about love at first sight full of yearning, hope but also a hint of nostalgia. ‘After You’ feels like an inevitable and satisfying release for Stray Kids, with a beautiful EDM drop, enticing rap verses, and a pop melody that will stick with you like honey.
‘FARMING’
Noisy and experimental Stray Kids will always have its place in every single release, and this time the award for the noisiest, most genius, witty, fun song has to go to ‘FARMING.’ It has every element that we love from tracks like this from Stray Kids, from distinctive fun rap verses, melodies that blend everything together, and a satisfying build-up. ‘FARMING’ is strange, irky in the best of ways, and so Stray Kids.
‘I DO’
Stray Kids premiered two songs during the 5-day opening of their RUN IT World Tour in Seoul: ‘After You’ and ‘I Do.’ Inserted in the section of the concert with ‘In My Head’ and ‘Blind Spot,’ it’s impossible not to relate this song to those songs, their message, and their vibe, especially ‘In My Head.’ They both have that pop-punk influence from the 2010s and a similar theme about feeling lost. ‘I Do,’ however, feels like the other side of the coin, when they can relate to the struggle and offer reassurance thanks to it.
‘Way Out’
THIS & THAT closes off with two ballads, both quite distinct from each other in both influence and theme. ‘Way Out’ is a heartbreak song, with influences from early K-Pop. ‘Way Out’ has a bit of an R&B vibe with its smooth melodies as the lyrics draw the picture of a falling out, a deception after a relationship. ‘Way Out’ explores the complexity of pushing away someone who hurt you but you used to love with vocals full of emotion and character.
‘Back Then’
All good things must come to an end, but ‘Back Then’ is so good, we can’t even be that mad about it. The song feels light and easy, like a breeze in summer. Inspired by the K-Drama Our Beloved Summer, ‘Back Then’ is a beautiful love song filled with nostalgia and love. The melody feels comforting yet hard-hitting, simple yet full of subtleties, and it’s everything that’s right about Han‘s music. ‘Back Then’ is the ideal way to wrap up THIS & THAT, as they create something unique once again to add to their flawless discography. Needless to say: Stray Kids did it again.
What’s your favorite song out of THIS & THAT? Are you more team ‘RUN IT’ or team ‘This & That?’ Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.
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