"The fourth regular album 'KARMA' feels like an album that returns the efforts and sweat we've put in as karma. This album, which returns the love received from STAY, might also become karma for STAY?"
Stray Kids is returning with their album 'KARMA', which celebrates today built on their efforts and sweat.
Stray Kids will release their fourth regular album 'KARMA' and the title track 'CEREMONY' tomorrow (22nd) at 1 p.m. (midnight Eastern Time). Ahead of this, they posted 'Stray Kids [INTRO "KARMA"]' on their official SNS channel on the 20th, sharing stories about the new release from the eight members.
The album title 'KARMA' means fate and karma. Stray Kids added the meaning of 'Calmer' to this. The message is, "When bad karma comes, we will calm it down with our good karma." Stray Kids expressed confidence, saying, "'KARMA' is a proud statement we can make at our current position and current year. Though it sounds strong, what we have built up until now is our weapon and serves as a kind of warning."
The title track 'CEREMONY' is the perfect new outfit for Stray Kids at this moment. Stray Kids, who set numerous firsts and best records through their world tour 'dominATE'—the 'largest scale' with 54 performances in 34 regions—returns home to Seoul to sing a grand celebration song. The members expressed their satisfaction, saying, "We are confident" and "We think we can do well" regarding 'CEREMONY.' The production team 3RACHA, who worked on the track, said, "We started writing this song with the feeling of gifting something to STAY (fandom name: STAY) in a situation where a stadium tour is scheduled, and it is a very communal song. It fits well with large spaces and has an enormous synergy that everyone can cheer together."
The members also contributed their input to the performance. Hyunjin took the lead in suggesting various ideas, while Seungmin put meaning into every single choreography. Hyunjin said, "There are many elements in the song, and the melody is dynamic, so I wanted a rich choreography like the music," and Seungmin added, "Having gained stage skills and confidence over about a year of touring, we aim to show everything on music broadcasts. We decided to do our respective ceremonies at the ending. There will be something enjoyable to see as the ending fairy."
The regular album 'KARMA', presented after about two years since '★★★★★ (5-STAR)', can be summed up as 'Avengers.' Not only the title track 'CEREMONY' but also most of the other tracks, including 'Bichuli', 'In My Head', 'Phoenix', and 'Ban Jeon (Half Time)', were contenders for the title track. The group's producing team 3RACHA, consisting of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, participated in all 11 songs, showcasing Stray Kids' unique musical world.
As the most 'Stray Kids'-like song, the members cherish 'Bichuli', 'CREED', which was playfully and easily born in a hotel room, 'Eongmang (MESS)', which they are revealing after five years since doing the first guide, 'In My Head', which goes well with rock festivals, 'Ban Jeon (Half Time)' that has many twists just like its title, 'Phoenix', a song they want to sing while playing with STAY, 'Ghost', which intriguingly draws attention from the title, and the bright and refreshing fan song '0801'—each of these songs in a variety of genres unravels their unique stories.
Stray Kids said that today's 'KARMA' and the ceremony celebrating it are all thanks to STAY's love. They expressed that while they felt sorry for returning after a long time, they wanted to gift a high-quality new work to STAY as soon as possible, stating, "It was because of STAY's faith that we could believe in ourselves and move forward. This album 'KARMA' is a return for the faith and love from our fans."
There are those who oppose the saying, "Fate is given" by stating, "Fate is forged." After achieving a shining today through countless droplets of sweat and relentless efforts, Stray Kids is ready to burst out in cheers of "Hip hip hooray!" for their celebration.
[Photo] JYP Entertainment
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