Unfiltered Review of Stray Kids' comeback

[MASHUP] Stray Kids: Insomnia & My Pace

http://dai.ly/x6rtthc

This blog will be unfiltered, meaning I will mainly be fangirling/rambling about Stray Kids' first comeback.

Released photos commentary

The photos below in which are of each member shows three photos from this comeback and one photo of them pre-debut. Initially, I was very thrilled that Stray Kids is having their first comeback so soon. When they started to release teaser/concept photos, I became flabbergasted and at a lost for words. I really love that there was more colors in these released photos, since their debut teaser photos were grayscale with a touch of darken yet flashy red and blue.

Music video review

The music video did give me vibes to Hellevator and it truly their own color. It is because I have never seen anything like it before. They reminded me that in life, you just gotta stay in your lane and go at life at your pace. I forgot that for a while this summer. This song is really on another level. I am speechless, but my comment is that I did not blink watching the video. I couldn't blink and miss a facial expression or detail or sound. I love that this song has a balance between dark Stray Kids and sentimental Stray Kids. I really love the colors it had compared to District 9. I am loving their first comeback and they shattered my unwritten expectations. I prepared myself for their comeback but I did not prepare myself for them. Prior to watching the music video, I watched their Dingo 100 Sec video and I was blown away by the different sides to them. The covered other JYP Entertainment artists. Personally, I do not have a favorite entertainment company in K-pop, however JYP is the entertainment in which I've listened to the most of their artists. From my first time watching the music video, my favorite part would be when Felix had his shot, of course. But seriously, I do love all of their individual shots. I also love the glitches throughout the video; it is also an amazing sight to see. Even though this music video is playful, colorful, and awesome, I see a meaningful side as well. Most K-pop music videos or any music videos are up for the viewers' own interpretation. My interpretation of their music videos is:

first they were on their "hellevator" (an escape from pain) to find their place, their penthouse (a lyric in "Hellevator" talks about riding their hellevator up to their penthouse as a way of saying they will go up and grow from their pain).
then in search of their "penthouse," basically their place, they found it and it is their "District 9;" this place is their own somewhat of a safe space and happy place
and now that they have gone through what it is they went through and found their place for security and happiness, they are going at their "pace" to continue in this crazy thing people call life

This music video alone is fulfilling enough for a STAY (Stray Kids' fandom). Their "My Pace" music video filled my angst-driven life and angsty heart. My favorite line is "My Pace" is

하지만 일단 내 앞에 길을 달려
고민은 다음 갈림길에서
그때까지는 자꾸 나의 옆을 돌아보지 마
잊지마 my speed, my lane, my pace

Translation: But first, let me go on my way
I’ll deal with the worries at the next crossroads
Until then, stop looking next to you
Don’t forget, my speed, my lane, my pace

Comparison

Comparing it to their pre-debut and debut title tracks, "My Pace" really does show Stray Kids' colors; they mentioned it before the music video release. The sound is more upbeat and it amplifies each members' aspects.

Favorites

"WHO?" favorite line: the song entirely to be honest, but okay, these two lines are my favorite:

1. What's the reason for my real existence?
2. 세상은 이게 답이라지만 내가 원하는 답은 없잖아 [Translation is "This is the world's answer, but it's not the answer that I want."]

"Voices" favorite line: 모두 신경 쓸 필요는 없으니까 [Translation is "You don't have to worry about everything.]

"Question" favorite line: 현실에선 대체 둘 중 누가 진짜 나일까 [Translation is "In reality, I question myself which one of the two is really me."]

"불면증 (Insomnia)" favorite line: 이불을 구기고, 소리를 쳐봐도 결국엔 난 다시 일어나 [Translation is "Even after crumpling my blanket, after screaming it out, I'm still awake again.]

"M.I.A." favorite line: 널 보고 싶어 널 보고 싶어 행복한 입이 귀에 걸린 널 [Translation is I miss you. I miss you. Happiness used to be hung on your ears.]

"갑자기 분위기 싸해질 필요 없잖아요 (Awkward Silence)" favorite lines:

1. 갑자기 분위기 싸해질 필요 없잖아요 [Translation: There's no need to make the mood so down suddenly.]
2. 그 밝은 얼굴에 어두운 표정 짓지 마요 [Translation: Stop with the dark expression on that bright face.]

My favorite songs are: "My Pace" and "Voices" and "M.I.A." For their song "My Pace," they reminded me to go at life in a steady pace, in my own pace. I felt better after listening to the track. The song "Voices" really helped my understanding my anxious mind and reflect on my past events. Hearing this song was like finding the light waiting at the end of the tunnel. As for "M.I.A.," I really love the intro and the entire meaning of the song. It makes me realize when I am not me and that I should calm down and remember who I am. Others can see if I changed, but I won't be able to see until it's pointed out. Honestly, I enjoy listening to all the songs. Due to the handful amount of English, they emphasize on the important points for listeners to hear. I am very moved by this album because it is 100 percent relatable.

Album review

For some odd reason, with "My Pace" being the utmost lively song compared to the rest, it compliments the other songs nicely like a perfectly wrapped gift. I love that in this album there are more lyrical raps and soothing vocals. I also love the order of the songs, because it can tell a story in a way.
The story would go like this:

after going through pain and finding their place, they start pondering about WHO they are
they realized that they just have to go at the on way without (My Pace)
along the way they stumble upon others' VOICES and they deal with it by snapping or "stepping" out of it
in the midst of it they have many unanswered questions and life questions (Question)
with the many voices and questions joined, they have trouble sleeping and they always think and think (불면증 (Insomnia))
they then lose themselves and change for the worse, therefore others cannot recognize them and would think that they've gone M.I.A.
after all the wondering, eagerness, voices, questions, anxious nights, and confusing changes in personalities, they are back to themselves and daily life but they are dealing with something else now, small talk and free time. (갑자기 분위기 싸해질 필요 없잖아요 (Awkward Silence))

In conclusion

Overall album is very sentimental and brings out unspoken and hidden emotions of my angsty mind. When they mentioned that this album is toned down and more vocals, they weren't lying because the majority of the album gave off a calm and emotional vibe. I hope to look back on this album in a year or so and see that I changed and grew as well as the members. I love that they released this album since I can feel the impact enough to know that I can change and grow more as a person within the lyrics of each song.

Last thoughts

I am shocked that "Voices" isn't their accompanying track on music shows. But I am loving their live performances of "My Pace" and "Insomnia".