A high-energy hip-hop monitor that embodies the group’s signature sound, “JJAM” is next-level dynamic with intelligent lyrics that add a private contact for followers to understand—just like the shout-out to member Lee Know within the remaining line of the bridge, “I know, you know, Lee Know!” Be certain to not miss the second Seungmin and I.N (a.okay.a. Vocalracha) harmonize to shut out the second verse.

“JJAM” isn’t ranked lowest as a result of it’s a foul track by any means, however doesn’t fairly compete on the similar stage of experimentation of different ATE songs. Still, this doesn’t detract from the enjoyment, however somewhat highlights the group’s capability to mix consistency with innovation​ by means of albums.

An inspiring, all-English monitor composed by members Bang Chan and Felix, “Runners” delivers relatable themes of perseverance and confidence. The track strikes from Changbin rapping, “Cybernetic system, yeah, I felt like a machine” to Seungmin and Lee Know’s daring assertions: “I know that I’m becoming/ G.O.A.T., I’m stunning, let me show the world/ I’m feeling edgy” demonstrating the group’s vary of drive. The euphoric pre-chorus practically eclipses the whole monitor with Hyunjin’s emotive texture in delivering traces like “Deeper and deeper, I’m thinking, I’m crying/ Too many thoughts in my head, gotta let it go,” spotlighting a beautiful rawness that makes the road significantly good for Hyunjin however can resonate with anybody who listens.

Reminiscent of the group’s greatest hype tracks like “Victory Song” or “Hall of Fame,” opening monitor “MOUNTAINS” opens ATE on an epic tone with roaring vocals from I.N and Seungmin towards a backdrop of stomping percussion. Penned and composed by 3RACHA’s Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, the showcases Stray Kids’ signature high-energy type whereas delivering introspective lyrics about overcoming obstacles: “Mountains, mountains, I woke up on the mountains/ Ain’t nobody stopping me, I’m walking like a titan,” Changbin spits. While “Mountains” definitely stays throughout the group’s consolation zone, its anthemic high quality makes it a standout monitor and the right track to open their upcoming world tour.

With flirty lyrics about having fun with a fling with out the pressures of affection, “I Like It” isn’t simply one other new thematic avenue that Stray Kids discover however somewhat distinctive for Ok-pop generally. In an trade the place songs about love and romance dominate, SKZ’s method in the direction of extra conventional Top 40 pop on a Ok-pop monitor is uncommon however refreshing—and makes one surprise if it is a monitor I.N referred to when he mentioned, “I hope you don’t get too surprised about the things that are going to come.”

Lines like “Let’s not go official, we can keep the ‘you and me,’” and “I love that I like you, but I don’t wanna love” spotlight the track’s playful angle, whereas Seungmin’s heat vocals and Han’s dynamic raps add vital depth to the efficiency. While letting Stray Kids push some boundaries and discover unconventional themes, “I Like It” also needs to assist the group attain new audiences.

Perhaps essentially the most surprising monitor on Stray Kids’ newest album, “twilight,” blends jazz and bossa nova sounds for a refreshing changeup for the high-energy ATE EP. Written fully by Han, identified for his R&B affect, the track provides a soulful contact, highlighting his versatility as a songwriter and producer. With its lyrics penned fully in Korean (a stark distinction for SKZ music generally, however significantly after following the all-English monitor “Runners” in ATE‘s tracklist), “twilight” is a soothing contrast to what’s usually anticipated from Stray Kids and may turn into a key monitor in touching followers and new listeners alike.

A track that acts as each a self-referential anthem to uplift the group whereas resonating universally, “Stray Kids” is a daring, particular declaration. The monitor lets them showcase their shallowness (on lyrics like Felix’s “So proud of myself / Never doubt who we are”) and displays the pleasure and ambition of their musical journey (“We do what we wanna do/ The message through our music,” sings I.N).

“Stray Kids” additionally contains quite a few references to their earlier songs (together with the first-ever Stray Kids “Hellevator” in addition to fan-favorite tracks like “Miroh” and “Lonely St.)” and different vocabulary longtime STAYs will catch to create a track with a vibrant tapestry of Ok-pop historical past. Stray Kids’ subtle type of mixing private and collective narratives into such an anthem makes it an much more highly effective track — which isn’t one thing many artists can pull off.

The standout monitor from ATE, “Chk Chk Boom” sees Stray Kids carry surprising Latin influences to their signature high-energy hit-making type in a real showcase of the group’s capability to be extraordinarily versatile musically whereas remaining on message because the musicians they have been from the beginning.

Written fully by Bang Chan, Changbin and Han for 3RACHA, “Chk Chk Boom” and its Latin hip-hop and reggaeton parts are refreshing in SKZ’s sonic world however nonetheless ship Stray Kids’ signature, insightful and introspective lyrics. Changbin’s raps have a number of standout traces about how he’s “Sick of this life/ It’s regular” and declares, “I’m the owner of my goal.” Seungmin provides inspiration by means of the lyrics, “Shoot down my goals one by one/ I snipe them,” whereas Han tells listeners, “I’m not a changed man.”

There are even some unexpectedly cheeky traces like, “Filling up my truck, yeah you want that ride/ Hit you like a truck, I’mma make you fly,” first sung by Bang Chan and later by Seungmin on the second pre-chorus. Another enjoyable shock is integrating Spanish into the Ok-pop mixture of Korean and English however remaining fully Stray Kids with traces like, “Lobos, we cannot stop hunting,” with lobos being wolves in Spanish and recollects how the group beforehand in contrast their unity and willpower to a wolf pack in 2021’s “WOLFGANG.”

Beyond the musical, lyrical and thematic triumphs, “Chk Chk Boom” will get further factors, pushing it to No. 1 on this rating since ATE additionally included a “Festival Version” to shut the EP. We’ll take that as indication that Stray Kids will little question proceed their run as pageant headliners as they push by means of an epic 12 months enjoying Lollapalooza in Chicago, BST Hyde Park in London, and I Days in Milan, in addition to affirmation that Stray Kids’ chart-topping reign isn’t letting up anytime quickly after breaking chart information and turning into the primary group to debut their first 5 chart entries at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.