Only two months in the past, Stray Kids advised Billboard the band’s 2024 could be “very different from what we’ve done so far,” with the four-time Billboard 200 chart-toppers’ newest New York journey already proving that to be the reality.

Sitting inside a recording studio owned by their U.S. label, Republic Records, the Ok-pop sensations’ charisma, candidness and slight trepidation shone via in a laid-back, sincere chat to recount their Met Gala debut, just-released collaboration with Charlie Puth, and the anticipation surrounding their upcoming tasks.

Reflecting on their Met Gala expertise, the members expressed how their preliminary worries ultimately become pure pleasure. “We didn’t know anything about Met Gala,” Stray Kids chief Bang Chan shares in his affable Australian accent, earlier than including, “It was a really good experience.” Felix shares that “it was an honor and pleasure for us to show what our team color is like” with their look, because of Tommy Hilfiger, marking a major milestone in attending considered one of style’s most prestigious nights out, as they mingled with celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Baz Luhrmann and Jennie from BLACKPINK.

Shifting to their first authentic English single, their collaboration with Charlie Puth in “Lose My Breath” is highlighted as an expertise for his or her workforce to be taught but additionally share their years of expertise in mixing musical kinds. “We had a lot of freedom to express our opinions,” notes Han, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the undertaking that included Bang Chan, Changbin and himself writing and composing alongside Puth. For the pure-pop affair, Hyunjin says his aspiration is “to show that Stray Kids can do this kind of song” as a testomony to their versatility and willingness to discover completely different musical landscapes.

While SKZ spoke with nervous pleasure to Billboard simply hours earlier than the discharge of “Lose My Breath,” the band’s anticipation for his or her potential new future tasks was additionally palpable.

While particulars stay underneath wraps, Bang Chan hinted on the thrilling prospects: “If there was a new album, it’s definitely very new, very different yet very genuine and authentic.” The tour — that will or might not have been spoiled by Tommy Hilfiger himself — can be vital, and when Lee Know mentions how “there are countries we haven’t been to yet,” he appears to trace towards a very expansive international trek.

As Stray Kids proceed to interrupt boundaries and captivate audiences worldwide, the Kids themselves stay grounded and dedicated to repeatedly bettering and leveling up artistry. Like “Lose My Breath,” their upcoming tasks all present promise in showcasing an evolving and maturing sound to affirm their standing as boundary-breakers within the international music scene. Read the total dialog from Billboard‘s chat with Stray Kids beneath.

Welcome again to New York, Stray Kids. It’s nice to have you ever again, and we’ve to offer you a giant congratulations on your Met Gala debut. Overall, how was the expertise?

Bang Chan: There was loads occurring, however I imply, it was a very good expertise. We had enjoyable.

Felix: It was such an enormous honor as a result of it was our first time as a workforce, and to go together with Tommy Hilfiger to the Met Gala. Like what Chris [Bang Chan’s birth name] mentioned, it’s such an honor but additionally a pleasure for us to indicate what our workforce coloration is like. It was unimaginable.

Bang Chan: Because we didn’t know something about Met Gala! So, we went in, after which as quickly as we acquired in, we walked up the steps, after which there was Anna Wintour, Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez and Chris Hemsworth. So we mentioned “Hi,” after which Chris was like, “Oh, I know you guys! You guys are two Australians — aww, come here, boys!” He took actually nice care of us. Baz was there too.

Felix: Baz Luhrmann was there as effectively. So, we had a pleasant chat with him. It was very good, very good.

Bang Chan: Ben Simmons, the basketball participant, who is definitely from and born in Australia, he was there. There had been loads.

It was superb to see all eight of you there, however I’m curious how you bought eight invites for the Met Gala and the way you coordinated on the pink carpet together with your reveal as eight?

Bang Chan: Big because of Tommy.

Felix: Yeah, huge because of him.

Bang Chan: But on the Met, Tommy had a bit little bit of an concept. Because we’ve to unveil what was beneath, proper? So, we form of rehearsed how we should always present what our outfits had been. We did precisely what we needed to do and had been advised to do; it was all proper.

I feel it was extra vital than you would possibly notice. But let’s soar to the current with “Lose My Breath.” What’s the importance of this being Stray Kids’ first authentic English single?

Bang Chan: It is form of exhilarating if you concentrate on it. But one factor I wished to level out is, I’m very, very grateful to the members as a result of everybody recorded their components on level and excellent. The English has improved, I don’t know why, however yeah. [Laughs] So, I’m very very grateful to the members however we labored on the music right here [in this New York studio], I feel it was just like the room throughout. But we had enjoyable as a result of, you recognize, Charlie Puth may be very musically proficient so we learnt loads from him; it was an awesome expertise.

You are so concerned in your music, and Charlie Puth can be so concerned in his music. How did you discover the stability behind the scenes to collaborate?

Han: Since it’s a collaboration, the best way we work is perhaps completely different and there might have been clashes. But ultimately, we had been very open and Charlie was very open with concepts too. We had loads of freedom to specific our opinions and tried loads of issues So, we balanced it out from the get-go; it was very easy. And with all these concepts we get from one another, we developed the components that we wished to indicate one another and the components that we wished to get nearer aligned and ultimately completed off the undertaking.

Changbin: I used to be simply actually thrilled. There’s the Charlie that I do know on social media, on movies or YouTube or no matter, and I feel it was he much more than what I’ve seen on YouTube or social media so it was actually cool. It was cool. He’s so musically proficient, and it’s one thing that I, myself, need to be taught from and need to have in being so versatile if you’re making music.

What are your targets or hopes for this music?

Hyunjin: Since it’s a pop genre-type of music that we haven’t performed earlier than, I need to present that Stray Kids can do this type of music — I need to present the world, STAYs, everybody that we are able to do music like this. We even have a efficiency as effectively, and I would like everybody on the market to see what sort of efficiency we’ve ready this time.

Since it is perhaps a sound individuals don’t count on from Stray Kids, how do you concentrate on or hope to introduce one thing new to followers?

Felix: This entire pop style may be very completely different to us, however like what Chris hyung mentioned, we’re in a position to document the music and the lyrics completely via our personal emotions and our feelings, which implies we’re actually in a position to categorical what the music is. And as a result of we’re all skilled in making music and simply displaying followers what our fashion is, I feel followers will actually get pleasure from “Lose My Breath” as it’s.

Bang Chan: It may not seem to be a Stray Kids music, however ultimately, it’s our voices, we did write the lyrics, the melodies and every little thing as effectively. But I don’t know what individuals will assume! I hope they will get a touch of Stray Kids in the entire platter.

I’ve a principle that “Lose My Breath” is the primary style or connection to the “special album” you teased on the high of the 12 months...

Bang Chan: Um…I consider it as a facet quest. “Lose My Breath” would possibly simply be a facet quest…

I.N is smiling, although!

All: [Laugh]

Bang Chan: What I can say is: If there was a brand new album, um, it’s undoubtedly, very new, very completely different but very real and genuine. Because the messages that we need to say via music are all packed inside.

What’s the message you need to share relating to “Lose My Breath”?

Seungmin: We simply need to enchantment that we are able to, all of our members can sing the pop style. From the second we first started recording, everybody has been used to singing [in] like a very robust tone, however this time we attempt to, what the phrase in English? We tried to energy down and compress — compressed into our pure voices. We tried to tone it down and document with a sound that naturally match to the pop style. I feel that’s a giant distinction in comparison with the final album — I feel that it’s going to enchantment to STAYs.

Bang Chan: It’s humorous as a result of I don’t often get alternatives now to speak about what we did and every little thing, however undoubtedly, with “Lose My Breath,” we did attempt loads of completely different vocal methods whereas we recorded the music. I hear that particularly with Seungmin. Changbin as effectively. Everyone did their half so good.

Mr. Hilfger did share that you just’re making ready a 40-date world tour. Can you share or verify something in regards to the tour or preparations?

Bang Chan: He spoiled it on TV…and he spoiled it for us as effectively. [Laughs] I assume there could be a tour? But we’re nonetheless within the preparation course of so we don’t know what’s what or don’t know the way it’s gonna set out…

Seungmin: Lee Know needs to say one thing!

Lee Know: There are nations we haven’t been to but and meals we need to eat whereas on the tour; touring means we are able to see loads of STAYs. I feel that’s what I’m trying ahead to probably the most. It’s the possibility to satisfy completely different STAYs in numerous components of the world that’s actually vital. But we haven’t began choreographing or growing the blueprints for the stage but.

You’re within the second with this single, however what’s developing for Stray Kids within the instant future? Or what message do you may have for followers as you begin this new chapter?

Bang Chan: [To their team member in the room] How a lot can we are saying?

Stray Kids workforce member: The much less you speak, the higher!

Stray Kids: [Laugh]

Bang Chan: Well, we don’t need to elevate your expectations an excessive amount of however after we head again [to Korea], it’s going to be late May. We’ve acquired some preparations for, effectively, let’s say, I assume a tour. If there’s an album, most likely the album. Probably festivals. That’s is, you recognize, if. I don’t know if it’s true or not,

Han: There is nothing 100% actual. We don’t know what’s occurring.

Bang Chan: Lollapalooza is one thing that we’re actually trying ahead to. The one in Paris was superb, there have been lots of people within the viewers, and now we’re off to Chicago.

I.N: We need everybody to stay up for “Lose My Breath,” however there are loads of issues which are gonna come up and I hope you don’t get too shocked in regards to the issues which are going to return.