The 2023 VMAs are almost here, and I can’t wait to see all of the upcoming acts and winners take the stage (let’s just hope there aren’t any award snubs this year). Stray Kids is one performance I’m very excited to see! The South Korean boyband was nominated for Best K-pop at the 2022 VMAs. This year, the group will perform their latest single “S-Class,” so it’s time to get my Stray Kids playlist ready for their VMAs performance.
Stray Kids is an eight-member boyband founded by one of the largest Korean entertainment companies, JYP Entertainment. The band frequently experiments with many genres and is noted for not sticking to a single type of music. If you want to learn more about the group’s music before the VMAs ceremony on Sept. 12, I’ve created a list of five Stray Kids songs that you should know about!
1. Miroh
“Miroh”, my favorite Stray Kids tracks, is at the top of the list of songs you need to check out after their VMA performance. The song is a dramatic dance/electronic song that highlights the rebellion that Stray Kids exhibit in most of the group’s storyline. “Miroh” is inspired by the Korean word miro, or “maze” in English, and features lyrics showcasing the group escaping their trials and going headfirst into their fears as in the lyrics “In this rough jungle, It was me who ran into it” and “I keep going I just need to look ahead and run.”
The song was produced by 3racha, the hip-hop sub-unit of the group, comprised of Bang Chan, Han, and Changbin. If you’re looking for the perfect tune to listen to while working out or give you a quick pick-me-up, look no further. “Miroh” is the perfect song for you!
2. “Maniac”
“Maniac” is another dance/electronic sound that makes you want to get up and move. The song is the title track from their 2022 EP, ODDINARY, and highlights the group’s concept of accepting our uniqueness and showcasing our most authentic self regardless of what others say. Leader Bang Chan shared the message of “Maniac” and the overall EP during a Global press conference, saying, “With the title ODDINARY, we want to bring the message that everyone has their own odd in them, and that’s totally ordinary.”
3. “CASE 143”
“CASE 143” is one of the newer releases that I can’t seem to get out of my head. The song is a lively dance track that talks about the complexities of love and all of the feelings that come with being in love. The title track is from the group’s EP, MAXIDENT, and the music video depicts the members being hypnotized by love and transforming into completely different people. The song is absolutely charming and entertaining, and you will fall in love with it (pun intended).
4. “Side Effects”
While fans of Stray kids (also known as Stay) are divided on whether they enjoy “Side Effects” song or not, I believe this track serves to highlight the range of Stray Kids sounds and their overall music style. As the title track of their 2019 EP, Clé 2: Yellow Wood, “Side Effects” is a psychedelic trance and hip-hop infused song that tackles the repercussions of self-doubt and the confusion of growing up. 3racha also produced the song, which had an explosive chorus and a voice that repeats side effect descriptions within the song. It’s probably a song you haven’t heard before, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a listen if you’re searching for something new to add to your playlist!
5. “Sorry, I Love You”
“Sorry, I Love You” delves into an entirely different genre than the songs I’ve suggested above. It is a gentler R&B track about a person professing their love for someone else but being afraid of rejection. The song appears on Stray Kids’ 2021 album, NOEASY, as a b-side. If you’ve been searching for a song to listen to while studying, I highly recommend this one!