Music Critic Simran Seera reviews K-pop band Stray Kids’ EP, Mixtape: dominATE, discussing the musical variety and reflections on fame and success present
Stray Kids’s Mixtape: dominATE marks a new rendition of the pop-rock genre they have used to their advantage throughout their previous albums. The mixtape is shorter and more compact, but the songs still explore each of the members’ unique interests and rhythmic styles. The six songs vary, consisting of soft vocals in ‘Cinema’ to the 2000s-esque synergy of ‘Burning Tires’, but in that respect, it offers a song for every mood or listener and reflects the band’s musical diversity.
The album opens with the title track ‘GIANT’ which is the Korean remix of the popular Japanese track they previously released. ‘GIANT’ has been a long-standing favourite within the Stray Kids fanbase, and here, it opens the album with the classic rock aesthetic Stray Kids typically embodies. The heavy rhythm and percussion around the chorus create an energetic yet dominating soundscape. With the year they have had and the success following their ‘Dominate’ world tour, Stray Kids are claiming their position as giants of the K-Pop industry, “crushing worlds below.” Their tradition-breaking music has always challenged the industry they are confined to, but their success lies beyond K-pop conformities, and they are using their music to speak for them as they “worked hard… and became a giant.” Reflective of the difficulties they have endured and overcome, ‘GIANT’ uses a strong synth bass and “fearless” attitudes to protect their “palace.”
“…[the EP] offers a song for every mood or listener and reflects the band’s musical diversity.
The remaining songs split the eight members into four duets, each with their own aesthetic. The first is Changbin and I.N’s ‘Burnin’ Tires’. The edgy and rebellious nature of ‘Burning Tires’ is almost a youthful reminder of the obstacles one faces when striving for greatness. Changbin’s rap collides with I.N’s vocals in a chaotic but also synergetic way. They’re competing with each other, “burnin’ until the end”, but ultimately, it is Stray Kids’ ability to create a sense of freshness and freedom in both their lyrics and musicality that drives them further.
Next, we have HAN and Felix’s song ‘Truman’, which begins with Felix’s soft vocals before the song transcends into a strong rap against societal pressures. Felix and HAN unapologetically celebrate their hard-earned success – they have “got trophies in the bag” – but still thank their beloved fans. The song is a cathartic mix of sonic celebration and introspective lyricism. The calming synths occasionally orchestrate into a heavy bass similar to ‘GIANT’, but here, it is almost a self-reflective acceptance of success as opposed to a dominating rock anthem.
“…ultimately, it is Stray Kids’ ability to create a sense of freshness and freedom in both their lyrics and musicality that drives them further.
In ‘ESCAPE’, we find the lost remnants of the ‘Red Lights’ era in Bang Chan and Hyunjin’s new rendition. Here they revive the beloved sensual R&B sound that has been a subtle addition to previous albums but never quite mimicked again. The pre-chorus allows for a strong crescendo to build before the chorus hits with a heavy musical base. This song offers the most scope for differing opinions, but the heart of it transcends the generic listening experience to become more personal and specific to an individual – an art not many can perfect. The highlight of the song (and, in my opinion, the album) lies in Bang Chan’s second verse, where his distinctive vocals emulate the escapism the song describes as he “escapes from reality.” His vocals play with the “sound of silence” before the song temporarily stops, only to build momentum again through the pre-chorus. Unlike the other songs, ‘ESCAPE’ stands out as a poetic promise shared between Bang Chan, Hyunjin and the listeners, as they do what every musician and music itself strives to do, “escape.”
Finally, Lee Know and Seungmin’s vocals mix to create a heartfelt ballad seeping with rock-like soundscapes in ‘CINEMA’. Like ‘ESCAPE’, the song is a haven filled with cinematic and yearnful melodic beats that reinforce the poignancy and love behind their lyrics. Lee Know and Seungmin propose that the “cinema” is the stadium in which they perform, the albums they release, the stage they have as celebrities, but also a platform they share and dedicate to their fans. The closing song (also the last on their ‘Dominate’ tour setlist) places their fans at the heart of their music and reiterates their purpose. The harmonies create a sound that differs from Stray Kids’ typical songs and the track’s predecessors on this mixtape, reinforcing the group’s musical diversity.
“Every song holds a uniqueness that allows the mixtape to be truly reflective of both the group’s gratitude and ambition.
Every song holds a uniqueness that allows the mixtape to be truly reflective of both the group’s gratitude and ambition. When listening to the album in order, the strong narrative is evident as both a celebration and a drive to go further. However, most honestly, the album invites listeners into each of the members individual musical stylings and perceptions of their journeys, welcoming us into “[their] cinema.”
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