Stray Kids’ “This & That” is an Interesting Swing

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Stray Kids Stray Kids K-POP GROUP Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. are consistent. As a casual listener, I can’t speak to their deep collection of b-sides. But I’ve constantly been struck by how of-a-kind their title tracks are. They are loud and largely rap-driven with pretty, but often abrupt, melodic interludes. They almost always center on self-hype (which given Stray Kids Stray Kids K-POP GROUP Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. ’ self-generated creativity and industry achievements, fair enough). And they are usually accompanied by MVs with stereotypical “tough” and “cool” imagery and a dash of humor, though the specific genre influences vary.

This rock-solid identity has undoubtedly contributed to their longevity and success. Formulas, however, are a double-edged sword. Stray Kids Stray Kids K-POP GROUP Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. have a winning one, but they flirt dangerously with repetition and a lack of evolution. To be honest, this is one of the reasons I’ve struggled to get into them beyond a general sense of respect. To a certain extent, if you’ve seen one Stray Kids Stray Kids K-POP GROUP Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. title track, you’ve seen them all.

At first glance, “This & That” looks like more of the same. It ticks all the requisite Stray Kids Stray Kids K-POP GROUP Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. boxes and lacks the standout momentum of their best singles, such as “God’s Menu” or “Maniac.” However, a closer listen reveals that something is, ever so slightly, different here. Namely, by opting for a smoother beat and slicker line delivery, “This & That” nudges the members out of their comfort zone with fascinating results.

“This & That” has its strongest moment right up top, with quick camera cuts and Bang Chan launching listeners straight into the drawled chorus:

> Everything I do, multiply it by two
>
> I got this and that, this and that
>
> We could take a coupe or a truck vroom vroom
>
> I got this and that, this and that

This is not topically original territory, but the vibe is distinct. This is a lazier, edgier declaration of confidence compared to Stray Kids Stray Kids K-POP GROUP Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. ’ usual, and it’s accompanied by a lot of MV eye contact and attempted swagger.

‘Attempted’ is a key word here because not every member pulls it off. Bang Chan and Hyunjin are among the most successful, slipping into a languorous performance mood. Other members look more awkward, struggling to convey the mix of self-assurance and indifference the song calls for.

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There’s similar variety when it comes to adapting to the song’s musical style. Felix’s signature baritone has long been Stray Kids Stray Kids K-POP GROUP Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. ’ musical ace in the hole, and their usual style is a wonderful fit for his tone. Here though, his growl almost disrupts the flow of the chorus when he takes a turn.

“This & That” also isn’t immune to old patterns as Seungmin pops up to dutifully perform a perfectly adequate, but shoehorned-in, pre-chorus and bridge. The best vocal moment in “This & That” actually comes from a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it I.N part in the second verse, largely because it’s actually properly woven into the track.

Old, bad habits aside, “This & That” offers something truly sonically exciting in how it forces the group’s rappers to do something, anything different. Han and Changmin are both unusually gifted rappers in the K-pop sphere, but Changmin in particular has a tendency to use the same hollered, staccato delivery over and over again. Here, both push themselves to meet “This & That” on its smooth road and the results are excellent. Changmin’s verse is a standout within the whole track, still with a touch of staccato but alongside tighter volume control and impressive speed. It’s both a delight to hear and — confronted with proof that versatility is and probably always was an option — makes you a bit bitter for all the past missed opportunities.  

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Overall “This & That” is ultimately a big swing and a little hit: it has interesting moments but is crushed by its overreliance on its catchy chorus. Repeating anything four times is a choice, especially when the chorus itself is essentially a pair of back-to-back repetitions of the same refrain.  The song cries out for more moments like the tempo-switch up outro, which is also visually punctuated by some cool slow-motion shots.

That being said, “This & That” still stands out among Stray Kids Stray Kids K-POP GROUP Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. ’ discography, and that alone makes it worth paying attention to. My personal hope is that Stray Kids Stray Kids K-POP GROUP Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. aren’t discouraged by the inevitable bumps that come from pushing out of a long-stuck to comfort zone. Yes, “This & That” highlights some of the reasons Stray Kids Stray Kids K-POP GROUP Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. might not have chosen to branch out beyond their proven formula. But it also showcases the rewards of risk.

Stray Kids Stray Kids K-POP GROUP Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. can keep doing what they’ve always done, and it will be fine, and it will do well. Or they can experiment, stumble, and evolve towards something stranger and far, far more interesting.

(YouTube. Lyrics via YouTube. Images via JYP Entertainment.)