K-pop album of the year?
I could understand why.
Let’s start with the title track, of course, since it was highly anticipated and heavily teased leading up to December 9th’s release date. My first thoughts? I could only think about the track in comparison to previous efforts. In fact, this track was much slower and more melancholy compared to previous title tracks such as “Miroh” or “Side Effects.” In fact, this is a song I could totally vibe to when I’m looking to relax or seeking music that quite literally soothes the soul. The combination of heavenly vocals, brilliant music effects, and interesting harmonies make this track unique and super catchy!
But, hey! I just wanna be myself.
And in comparison to a song like “Astronaut?” A complete 360. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that “Astronaut” is the missing dimension to Stray Kids that we’ve been looking for since debut. A high-paced, electronic-based, pop thriller that seems more of a celebration as opposed to anything else. And those music breaks? Super fun and highly addictive.
Felix’s rap in this track is also legendary. I don’t make the rules.
Another track I’d also like to mention is “Sunshine!” If you check out the writing credits, you’ll notice that most of the efforts are contributed to rapper and vocalist Han. And it certainly reminds me of “19” in that it seems super nostalgic, but incredibly touching. Actually, the first thing that struck me was the calming instrumentation, attributed to two classical artists, and the focus on vocal performance as opposed to energetic beats which Stray Kids are more popularly known for. This unexpected combination results in a song that really just makes you feel warm and happy on the inside, much like its title suggests.
I could talk in more length about the other tracks such as “STOP” which picks up from where “Road Not Taken” ended. Or, the efforts of the rap line in the heavy bass track “Double Knot” which is nothing like 3racha’s earlier effort of the same title. And let’s not forget to acknowledge Stray Kids’ producing unit who have credits on every single track. This is really awesome because it’s not something you see a lot in the K-pop industry.
In conclusion, Levanter is an album that introduces new sounds, new elements, and a few surprising vocal efforts from members who have traditionally not been associated with those performing roles. It is a terrific album that deserves a lot of attention.
