Those that have adopted STAYC from the very starting would have instantly understood – even welcomed – the group’s newest mini-album ‘Teenfresh’. Since their debut, the lady group have been championing their “teenfresh” idea – A portmanteau of the phrases ‘teenage’ and ‘recent’, that are largely self-explanatory – encompassing STAYC’s drive to create their very own house and sound within the crowded Ok-pop panorama.
The “teenfresh” sound has been and continues to be a really aware, conceptual selection for STAYC. As thrilling as youth is, the rising pains of these years form who we’re. The recollections and behaviours of our youth grow to be the foundational parts of our grownup life. For STAYC, the “teenfresh” sound is their very own manner of celebrating the gloriousness of youth whereas additionally imbuing their listeners (and themselves) with the braveness to simply accept and embrace their flaws and variations.
The mini-album’s title monitor ‘Bubble’ performs proper into the idea. Peeling again the layers of the bubblegum pop sound, there lies a heartening message: all of us are inclined to entice ourselves within the bubbles of criticism and unrealistic expectations, or as STAYC stresses, “being totally different and being improper is totally different”. The “nagging” of the world is a flimsy bubble, and past it’s a world of acceptance and freedom. At instances, the track pleasantly reminds us of Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’, one other deliciously catchy banger that delivered an analogous message.
Extending the idea of ‘Bubble’ is ‘Not Like You’, the place STAYC revel within the liberation that self-love and confidence brings. The pretty easy track is complemented by a equally in-your-face hip-hop sound, as STAYC element how they’re totally different from the naysayers. “How can I be shameless, shameless however I prefer it / I would like you to respect me,” they proclaim. Whereas this album lower contrasts the “bubbly” strategy of the title monitor – the pun simply wrote itself – the underwhelming refrain takes away from an in any other case strong track.
Fortuitously, ‘I Wanna Do’ makes up for the frustration we really feel on ‘Not Like You’. With twinkling synths layered over a easy, mid-tempo R&B development, the track is clearly one for the nights if you want the help of a companion. Comforting vocals invite you to lean on the group as they promise they may all the time be right here for us. It’s a mild reminder that rising up could also be exhausting, unforgiving, merciless and lonely, however one will all the time discover a dwelling in companionship.
The one place the place factors must be docked on the album is ‘Be Mine’. Whereas the track holds up effectively musically – the Y2K-inspired R&B association overlaid on shimmering sound results melts very similar to butter – one can’t overlook the cognitive dissonance with the remainder of the album. After spending three tracks embracing our variations and dealing on our confidence, descriptors like “clumsy” and “needy” and asking somebody to be in love with us “even should you can’t do it casually” appears misplaced to say the least.
As STAYC’s ‘Teenfresh’ would most likely inform us, nevertheless, stumbles are an inevitable a part of the journey of progress. Regardless of its shortcomings, one can’t assist however admire the strong goal of ‘Teenfresh’, which works a good distance in establishing the lady group’s general identification. Right here be the world of STAYC: the place festive reverie meets profound introspection, and the place heat acceptance awaits everybody.
Particulars
- Launch date: August 16, 2023
- Report label: Excessive Up Leisure