Time To “Do It”: Breaking Down Stray Kids’ New EP

After wrapping up their “DominATE” world tour, reaching No. 1 on the Spotify Countdown Chart, and earning five Korea Grand Music Award wins, K-pop boy group Stray Kids are back with their newest release, Do It. The octet, which consists of Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N., have self-produced five new tracks, including the double title tracks “Do It” and “DIVINE.”

Feel the Rhythm

Stray Kids is no stranger to mixing genres, from their reggaeton-inspired tracks like “Chk Chk Boom” to their EDM tracks like “Side Effects.” In fact, their newest track feels like a sister to “Chk Chk Boom,” the lead single of their ninth mini album. “Do It” highlights Stray Kids continued musical growth by blending reggaeton, pop, and R&B elements. 3RACHA, the group’s producer subunit composed of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, contributed to writing and arranging the track, while the Grammy Award-winning duo Space Primates handled production.

The track is about being confident and daring while being sure of yourself. In their INTRO series, where they discuss the creation of the album prior to its release, the members mentioned that “Do It” feels freeing — it’s a song to run to while working out or to dance around to. Hyunjin also mentioned that the song feels more mature, slightly sultry, even a bit sexier, signaling a shift to the start of the group’s new era.

The track also has a Festival Version with a strong EDM presence and a more electronic feel. This version incorporates house elements and energetic drops that channel the atmosphere of late-night dancing and club-like environments.

The music video takes us into an apocalyptic universe where bright pinks contrast with stark black-and-white visuals. Featuring strong choreography and dynamic one-shots, the video revolves around the members dancing and fully embracing the rhythm of the song. They’re joined by what appear to be zombie-like dancers in this chaotic world, all while the members take turns singing the chorus.

A DIVINE “Masterpiece”

The group flips the switch with the second track, “DIVINE,”which also serves as the EP’s double title track. This one is for the fans of R&B and ‘90s hip-hop, as the group blends the genres to create a new sound that is still characteristically “Stray Kids.” The track opens with an old-timey narration stating “All we need is love, dreams and Stray Kids” before Seungmin’s soulful riff sets the tone for the song. With “DIVINE,” the group reflects on their talent and the fame they’ve gained over a playful old-school hip-hop instrumental.

Fans of the group will probably catch on to the subtle references they make throughout the track as they recount their success, especially since Stray Kids are known for their wordplay. On the track, rapper Felix, asserts “What, what, what should I do? Just do what I want to do / The song that shot us up like du-du-du, a phrase that refers to us, ‘giants on stage,’” making direct callbacks to “Do It,” “GIANT,” and the song that arguably blew them up: “God’s Menu.” Lyrics aside, the instrumental is littered with comedic sound effects and a lighthearted cadence that mirrors the message seamlessly. The group put it best when they boast: “A masterpiece made whilе just playing around / If you want more, follow me.” It’s the perfect blend of catchy and witty, making it a certified earworm and – well – “DIVINE.”

Digging Deeper

The tone shifts from playful to pensive on the third track with the album’s first B-side, “Holiday.” The group lets out all their frustrations as they discuss their exhaustion from burnout. While they sing about being so tired that they just want to rest, the instrumental is almost a juxtaposition to the earnest lyrics – the beat draws from elements of UKF drum and bass, with an almost lighter and more whimsical take on the genre that still keeps that fast-paced beat.

While the group pleads to take it slow, the beat speeds up – a subtle reflection to the fast paced tone of modern day life. It’s a feeling anyone can relate to. That overwhelming feeling of just wanting to give up can be felt as they confess, “Without a thought in my head, I’ma take a deep breath / Just fill up my chest, I don’t want any stress […] yeah, I’m sick and tired as I’ma need a holiday […] I’ve been working hard, no cap, yeah, just let me take a break.” While there’s nothing wrong with letting it all out and letting that be the end of it, Stray Kids come full circle and realize that all they need is some rest before getting back to the grind. Ending the somber track on a bit of a hopeful note, Lee Know and Hyunjin muse on the bridge, “When I’m ready, I’ll be back, don’t worry, let me take a break.”

The album closes with the fourth and final track,  “Photobook.” The track serves to slow the album down to a vocal-heavy, rock ballad. The group takes us through a story of heartbreak and memory, using “Photobook” as a metaphor for a love that once was. The group expresses regret for a significant other who is no longer part of their lives, looking back on their past together as if flipping through an album of shared memories and once-felt love. Holding onto the hope of reuniting in the future, they sing about their memories being enough while still wishing for the return of that love. “The past won’t return, but it will stay forever. There are still so many moments to fill this back page,” sing Seungmin and Han longingly, expressing the feeling of heartbreak that the song conveys. A soft ballad with subtle percussion in the background, the song is emotional and highlights the group’s raw vocals.

Building a Legacy

After being together for seven years, the group shows no signs of slowing down. Stray Kids have had a successful year with their two EPs, a collaboration with DJ Snake, and the completion of their world tour, along with an encore stage in Korea, showing that they are truly at the top of their game right now. With a dedication to their fans and a love for both each other and what they do, we can only expect more record-breaking celebrations in the future.

Keep up with Stray Kids as they begin promotions for “Do It” by following them on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Interested in more Stray Kids? Check out our coverage of their album “ATE” here.