Korean pop group Stray Kids has gained incredible popularity in the past year, and they continue to follow the K-pop industry’s tradition of having Japanese releases to cater to their large Japanese fanbases. “GIANT” was announced on Sep. 30 on Stray Kids’ Japan account on X with a mysterious image labeled “KING GIANT.” 

The album itself was released on Nov. 13, containing 10 tracks, with seven original Japanese songs, one Japanese version of an originally Korean track and two English versions of originally Japanese tracks. The album happens to include three tracks made for the anime series “Tower of God,” a popular show that started off as a Webtoon. 

“GIANT” is the album’s namesake title track, and it has a music video and choreography. The track has a complex instrumental that’s become a staple of Stray Kids’ discography, with heavy bass, dubstep and an overall grand sound that fits perfectly with the theme of supernatural powers and overcoming obstacles. 

The music video has a lot of special effects that depict the members using superpowers, reminiscent of live-action anime adaptations. The choreography has the typical strong, fast-paced moves that boy groups are known for; the Stray Kids’ specific brand of charisma and stage presence makes it shine. 

Though the chorus of “GIANT” itself is a tad bit underwhelming, as it’s a little repetitive and shouted more than sung, the post-chorus lines are quite catchy and flow well. The rap verses throughout the song shine as well, with one of the group’s rappers, Changbin, utilizing a unique flow that matches the descending musical scales in the instrumental. Overall, the instrumental and rap stand out the most throughout the song, and most fans agree it’s a solid title track.

“Night” is another standout track, as it’s an energetic song that takes a lot of inspiration from J-rock. The song was even featured in the second season of “Tower of God” by SIU. Stray Kids has made two tracks for the anime previously, and they continue to deliver the lyricism and energy that capture the protagonist’s ambitions on his journey. 

Lyrics like “Breaking my limits every fight / I’m climbing pinnacles and heights” include rhyme schemes that make the song pleasant to listen to while matching up with the protagonist’s story of climbing a literal tower. Overall, “Night” is a pretty motivating track that encourages its listeners to overcome any obstacle in their path.

“Christmas Love” is Stray Kids’ take on a holiday song, and it makes one feel warm and energized while listening to it. Bells incorporated into the instrumental provide a holiday vibe while preserving Stray Kids’ usual musical influences, as the rappers of the group incorporate more musical-sounding verses to fit the vibes of the song. The song feels like something one could dance to while still having a cozy holiday night inside, drinking hot cocoa with their loved ones. It’s a bit cheesy, but that’s what makes it a fun track that somehow doesn’t feel too out of place on the album, as there are still elements of instrumental beats that are used in other songs, like fast-paced drums in the background.

 

 “愛をくれたのに、なぜ” (“Aiwokuretanoninaze”) is a vulnerable breakup song that English-speaking fans have taken to unofficially calling “Love is Painful” for its solemn chorus lyrics: “Love is painful / why did you give me love?” This track has become a fan favorite for its lyrics and the members’ solemn voices,with a rock-inspired beat that’s less energetic and upbeat than the other tracks on the album. 

“WHY?” is a song that was released in April of this year for a Japanese drama, with an upbeat chorus and defiant message about ignoring people’s expectations. “Saiyan” is another track fans took a liking to, as it emphasized the album’s anime-inspired sound and message. It references the massively popular anime “Dragon Ball Z” and has lyrics that seem to come from the mind of a typical hero in a story: “I’m not gonna die young / I’ll make my dreams come true.” 

This track has a particularly nice flow in the lyrics as the members switch between English and Japanese, utilizing vocals and ad-libs that are pleasantly layered. There’s quite a bit of autotune, but this isn’t necessarily a detractor for those who like Stray Kids’ style of music–and their numerous live performances prove that it isn’t something they rely on for musical quality, anyway.

The English versions of “NIGHT” and “Falling Up” have lyrics that align with their Japanese versions, creating songs that have a fitting flow and work nicely as English songs. Sometimes, English versions of songs can be hit-or-miss in terms of matching up with the original language, but both of these tracks keep a consistent message and production. The Japanese version of their Korean track “Chk Chk Boom” also has lyrics that match the original version as closely as possible, further showcasing Stray Kids’ multilingual lyrical talents on this album. 

This album was well-received overall, especially from Stray Kids’ Japanese audience. Fans were excited for this release after teasers were dropped on X, and the album performed well in Japanese music charts. Promotion even took place in train stations in Japan, with posters and audio messages. The title track, “GIANT”, was first performed in Stray Kids’ Japanese leg of their ongoing world tour, and the clips quickly circulated among fans worldwide. 

Though this album was liked by fans, discussion about the album outside the fandom was somewhat lacking. Some theorize this may be because of clashing releases with other K-pop boy groups at the time, or it may simply be that Japanese releases sometimes tend to go unnoticed among non-Japanese fans in K-pop. 

Verdict: “GIANT” is an album that captures the energy of a powerful hero, but also contains vulnerable tracks about love and challenges. Every track has a distinct message, with the lyrics telling stories of strength, sadness and happiness that are sure to motivate and touch listeners.

 

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