Noeasy
Noeasy (stylized in all caps) is the second studio album by South Korean boy band Stray Kids. It was released on August 23, 2021, through JYP Entertainment, nine months after its predecessor, Japanese extended play "All In" (2020) and eleven months after the Korean reissue "In Life" (2020). A word-play of "noisy" and "no easy", the album conveys the idea of making a loud impact on the world with their music, showing that the group strives to be the noisiest despite the hardships that come with this. For the album, 3Racha (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han), an in -house production team from members of Stray Kids, worked with Korean and foreign songwriters and producers, including Versachoi, HotSauce, Hong Ji-sang, Krysta Youngs, and the group's other members. The album has fourteen tracks and engages various music genres of hip hop, EDM, pop, R&B, and rock, including the lead single "Thunderous", and previous releases: "Wolfgang" from the competition show "", and "" from their Mixtape Project. Upon its release, "Noeasy" received favorable reviews for its creativity, storytelling, theme substance, and energy. The album peaked on the Gaon Album Chart and among the top-20 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Hungary , Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland. The album sold over 1.3 million copies in 2021 and was certified a million-seller by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA), acknowledging it as the first million-selling album for the group and their label. "Noeasy" won Best Album (Bonsang) at the 36th Golden Disc Awards. Background. Stray Kids uploaded the video "Step Out 2021" through their social media on January 1, 2021, including the group's accomplishments in 2020 and plans for 2021, including a second studio album. From April to June, the group participated in the Mnet's competitive reality television  show "", joining Ateez, The Boyz, BtoB, iKon, and SF9, emerging as the winner. During the program, they released the song "Wolfgang" on May 28, from the EP "", as part of the final performance competition. This was followed by the mixtape project single "", surprise-released on June 26 with the announcement that Hyunjin would resume his activity schedule in July, following a hiatus from group activities since late February due to bullying accusations. On June 29, the South Korean news outlet "SpoTV News" reported that the group would release an album in late August and hold "Kingdom Week", a television program  benefit for the winner. Later, JYP Entertainment confirmed that the group was preparing a new album but had not decided on its format. Hyunjin also would participate to promote the new album. A month later, the group announced that their second studio album, "Noeasy", via the album trailer "Thunderous", was scheduled for release on August 23, 2021, marking their first Korean physical release in 11 months since " In Life" was reissued in September 2020. Before the album announcement, in early July, Stray Kids released "SKZ Camp Song: Howl in Harmony", a camp-type online program in five episodes documenting the  band's process in creating their songs and making music videos for them. They were separated into three teams: Quokka Bbang Daengi (Han, Seungmin, I.N; formerly Margarine Bbang) to write the song "Gone Away", Yeoreum Wangja (Lee Know, Changbin, Felix) for "Surfin'", and Bekka Wang (Bang Chan, Hyunjin) for "Red Lights". Additionally, the B-side "Sorry, I Love You" was teased a bit by the members on their V Live's live streaming content "Chan's Room" in early April, and "The View" was teased only as a title on the music video of "Mixtape: Oh" in late June. Title  and concept. The album's title, "Noeasy", is a word play of "noisy", describing the misconception of the group's music as "noise music", and "no easy", about obstacles and downs and lows of life. Both interpretations express that despite the group's hardships, they aim to be the noisiest. Bang Chan, the group leader told several South Korean news outlets, "it ["Noeasy"] means that we want to leave a loud impact on the world with our music." Seungmin also said, "the meaning (of "Noeasy") is something like, 'life is not easy because of the naggers who tell us to  do this and that, but we are Stray Kids, and we are not backing down.' …" Music and lyrics. "Noeasy" is forty-six minutes and thirty-five seconds long and has 14 tracks of various genres of music. The album's first four tracks are described as hip hop, and EDM songs with aggressive bass sounds to represent fighting and to mock the group's critics and haters. Tracks five through nine include "emotional" tracks with pop, rock, and R&B sounds. The album concludes with three sub-unit songs and two previously-released songs. All tracks were produced and written chiefly  by Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, who work together as 3Racha, a production team of Stray Kids. Other members also participated in song writing. Lee Know and Felix co-wrote "Surfin'". Hyunjin co-wrote "Red Lights". Seungmin and I.N co-wrote "Gone Away". In addition to the members, several Korean and foreign songwriter-producers also participated, including Versachoi, HotSauce, Hong Ji-sang, and Krysta Youngs. Songs. "Noeasy" opens with "Cheese", an EDM track with a "strong" rock sound, "cheerful" energy, and mixed in "rough" bass synth, which uses the word "cheese" as a wordplay to compare smiling with a variety  of cheeses. The lyrics respond flippantly to critics and haters who pay attention. "Thunderous", the second track, the album's lead single, is a hip-hop and trap song that includes elements of Korean traditional music ("gugak"), brass instruments, and "chuimsae". The song expresses the conviction that the group will not be discouraged and will maintain their principles no matter what anyone says. The Korean title "Sori-kkun" () has a dual meaning of "jansori-kkun" () meaning "nagger", and "sori-kkun" () meaning "("pansori") singer". The third track, "Domino", is hip-hop-influenced with a doorbell sounding at the outset alluding to  the pizza brand, "intense" beats, "distinctive" sounds, and high-pitched "taepyeongso". It compares their "extraordinary" ambition and confidence to a game of dominos. The lyrics imply that their actions act as a nudge to push everyone to follow after them in a domino effect. "Ssick", the fourth track, is a midtempo hip-hop and EDM song, which has the dual meaning of "sick", which means "cool" in English, and the Korean word "ssik" () means "grin smile". It references the influence of fame, and its legendary attraction, while offering the message that feeling special about oneself is enough. "The View", the  fifth track, is described as a "rhythmic", "summery", and "hopeful healing" upbeat synth-pop song based on EDM sound, which triumphs over past difficulties and future uncertainties while feeling refreshed and optimistic. "Sorry, I Love You", the mid-tempo R&B sixth track, expresses a feeling of guilt and regret for liking someone and potentially ruining a friendship. The seventh track, "Silent Cry", is an alternative rock song about two people who cannot see each other hurting, and offers comfort to the silent world-weary soul. The eighth track, "Secret Secret", is a slow-tempo R&B song that conveys comfort  and sympathy with the desire to let the secrets that they do not want to be shared with anyone but rain. "Star Lost", the dance-pop, soft rock ninth track, is a "feel-good" song with a nostalgic composition calling on fans who feel alone in the world to believe in themselves. The upbeat alternative R&B tenth track, performed by Bang Chan and Hyunjin, "Red Lights", features a "wild" feeling created by "violent" string sounds and electric guitar, giving a "ripened sexy charm". It uses the theme of continuing to love someone despite the red flags although it causes suffering , to talk about the unhealthy obsession or compulsion one can have towards their work. The summer-vibe upbeat dance-pop eleventh track, "Surfin'", which was sung by Lee Know, Changbin, Felix, is described as "like a glass of carbonated water" with tropical sounds and marimba beats with lyrics about having little adventures every now and then can heal the soul and mind, allowing them to keep their lives on track and not focus solely on working. "Gone Away", the ballad twelfth track, describes an unrequited one-sided love and the frustration of someone who is not able to be with  their lover, with Han, Seungmin, and I.N's vocals. "Wolfgang", the hip hop thirteenth track, describes a wolf pack making music by following Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and compares the habit of a wolf hunting for prey in a group to Stray Kids. It was intended to imprint a cohesive and solid appearance and unstoppable will toward the goal. The album concludes with the song from Mixtape Project, "", a mid-tempo electropop song with a reggaeton rhythm that describes the frustration of feeling immature in front of the object of one's desire and expresses one's feelings of resentment and  frustration at oneself for being clumsy and immature in front of the person they love. Release. Stray Kids set "Noeasy" to releaseon August 23, 2021 as a CD in both limited and standard versions, and both digital music platforms and streaming services. The jewel case version of the album was released on August 30, one week after the official release date. Previewing and pre-orders for the limited version album began on July 22, concurrent with the trailer release, the two types of standard versions began one week later. The album's limited and standard versions contain a CD-R , a package sleeve, a photobook, a lyrics book, a randomized member sticker, a unit folded poster, photo cards, and a double-sided photo card. The jewel case version, which features a member's solo cover, contains a CD-R, a sticker, and a randomized photo card. The limited version exclusively includes a randomized pop-up card and an all-member photo card set. A randomized poster, a frame photo card, and a special mini photo book solely available through pre-order. Promotion. On July 22, 2021, Stray Kids released a two-and-half-minute-long official comeback trailer named "Thunderous  and announced their second studio album, Noeasy", scheduled for release on August 23. Directed by Lee Hye-sung, and produced by Sushivisual with a superhero theme, the trailer shows the members transforming into avenger corps against the ear-shaped "sound monster" by inventing technology, weapons, and brainstorming strategies in an apocalyptic world. On August 2, they released an exclusive clip with behind-the-scenes footage of the trailer. It shows the members tease about the undisclosed lead single and the member Felix appears alone and greets Stays (fan club name). The group released the track's snippet videos called "unveil : track" for the eight out of new twelve tracks, i.e., "Cheese", Bang Chan and Hyunjin's "Red Lights", Han, Seungmin and I.N's "Gone Away", Lee Know, Changbin and Felix's "Surfin'", "Domino", "Sorry, I Love You", "The View", and "Secret Secret". The teaser images were uploaded in three sets. The first concept shows a red avant-garde outfit with a smoky background. The second depicts a black-and-white outfit with plain white or "hanok" background. The third expresses pastel casual outfits surrounded by neon light properties. The complete track listing was announced on August 12, serving "Thunderous" as  the album's lead single and including the previous releases "Wolfgang", and "" on it. The 44-second and 25-second music video teasers of the lead single "Thunderous" were released on August 20–21, and the performance video teaser with SKZoo costumes on the following day. The online cover artwork, and the 24-minute long documentary video "Intro: "Noeasy"" for introducing the album were also released on August 23, the same of the day of release. During promotion, the group held a listening party via Stationhead on August 27 (KST) and appeared on several television and radio programs, including the domestic  music programs, "Weekly Idol", "After School Club", "Day6's Kiss the Radio", and "Cultwo Show", etc. In addition to the lead single, the B-side accompanying music videos for "The View", "Cheese", "Red Lights", "Surfin'", and "Gone Away", and live videos for "Sorry I Love You", and "Secret Secret" were also released. Section::::"Kingdom Week <No+>". Stray Kids appeared on "Kingdom Week <No+>", a television variety show that benefits the winner of "Kingdom: Legendary War", which aired on Mnet for 7 episodes from August 17 to 23. The first and second episodes, titled "No Cut", showed the  group's behind-the-scenes during "Kingdom: Legendary War", with commentary by the members Felix and Seungmin. In the third to fifth episodes, titled "No Solo", the members appears to head to the villa to rest and play a game called "buddy catcher". The sixth episode, titled "Non Stop", collected the group's best performance chosen by the members. The final episode, airing the same day as the album was released, held the album showcase, called "Stray Kids Comeback Show "Noeasy"". Singles. "Thunderous" serves as the lead single (title track) from "Noeasy". It was accompanied by a music video posted  to YouTube, Naver TV, and V Live, directed by Bang Jae-yeob. Both were released on August 23, 2021, alongside the album. It peaked at number 33 on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart, number 3 on the US World Digital Song Sales, and number 80 on the "Billboard" Global 200, and took six wins from music programs: twice on "Show Champion", twice on "M Countdown", once on "Music Bank", and once on "Inkigayo". The accompanying music video reached 50 million views on YouTube in 6 days of release and 100 million views in 55 days, making it the group 's fastest and fifth 100-million-view music video. Live performances. Stray Kids gave the debut performance of "Noeasy" with a showcase, called "Stray Kids Comeback Show "Noeasy"", held on the same day as the release date, as part of the final episode of "Kingdom Week <No+>". The group performed the lead single "Thunderous", and the B-side "The View" for the first time at the show, alongside the show's final competition song "Wolfgang", and "Grow Up" from their debut EP "I Am Not" (2018). The group promoted "Thunderous" on several music programs in South Korea: "M  Countdown", "Music Bank", "Show! Music Core", "Inkigayo", and "Show Champion" for three weeks, August 26 – September 12, along with "The View" in the first week of promotion, and "Secret Secret" at "Show! Music Core" on September 4. "Domino" was also promoted and performed during September 24–26 on "Music Bank", "Show! Music Core", and "Inkigayo". Additionally, "Sorry, I Love You" was performed for the first time at Unite On: Live Concert on November 6. Songs from "Noeasy" were also performed at several awards ceremonies and year-end annual music shows. The group gave the debut performances of the sub-unit tracks  Red Lights, "Surfin'", and "Gone Away" as a medley, alongside "Thunderous" at the 2021 The Fact Music Awards on October 2. They performed "Domino", "Thunderous", additionally showed Lee Know's solo dance performance, and 3Racha's rap performance at the 2021 Asia Artist Awards on December 2. "Cheese" was given their debut performance on December 11 at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards as part of medley, titled "Stray Kids World Domination", alongside the "hero" version of "Thunderous", and the unreleased song "Hey, Monster", performed by 3Racha. The group performed "Thunderous" with a new arrangement at the 36th Golden Disc  Awards on January 8, 2022, alongside "Top", and "Wolfgang". Described as a "mega performance" and "action movie-like feeling", "Thunderous" was performed at the 2021 "KBS Song Festival" on December 17, which was shot at Namhansanseong, Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province with the theme "With K-Culture", assets K-pop and K-cultural asset. They performed the Christmas version of "Thunderous" at 2021 "SBS Gayo Daejeon" on December 25, additionally using canes, group dance, and parodying "Squid Game" ttakji, and dalgona game, alongside "Winter Falls" from the single album "Christmas EveL", and covered IU's "Merry Christmas Ahead", performed by the members  Changbin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N, as part of Christmas carol medley with various artists. They concluded 2021 with "Thunderous" performance at 2021 "MBC Gayo Daejejeon" on December 31, adding the ringing of a New Year's bell before the New Year ceremony, alongside 2PM's "Only You" cover. As an ambassador for the Korea Pavilion of Expo 2020, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Stray Kids performed "Thunderous", as part of the opening show of the Korea Pavilion's Korea National Day with the Little Angels, and K-Tigers on January 17, 2022. The group also performed "Thunderous", alongside  Miroh, "God's Menu", and "Back Door" at the Korea National Day K-Pop Concert on the same day, joining Forestella, (G)I-dle, Golden Child, Sunmi, and Psy. The debut performance of "Silent Cry" was given at the group's second fan meeting, 2nd #LoveStay 'SKZ's Chocolate Factory', which was held on February 12–13 at Olympic Hall. Critical reception. Upon its release, "Noeasy" received positive reviews from music critics. According to "Rolling Stone India", Divyansha Dongre appreciated the group that "keeps their identity intact as they reflect on hate directed towards their artistry" with "centered around a powerful message  of self-expression." Tamar Herman from "South China Morning Post" summarized the album "offers a lot of different styles to suit listeners and finds its strength in the band's creativity and storytelling," and also tells Stray Kids have grown with each release. Writing for "Pinkvilla", Ayushi Agrawal considered the album as "a book that can only be penned by Stray Kids," and praised the album "reinstated their tag of 'self-producing idols' in a way that is above and beyond any expectations," and "reaffirms the group's self-made mighty footing in the music industry." Ruby C writing for  NME rated the album four out of five stars, and described the album as both claps of thunder and gradually subsided storms, and "filled with depth, creative substance and a whole repertoire of 'noise' to boot." Chu Seung-hyun from "" wrote "Noeasy" contains "full of unique bold and energetic appearance." Crystal Bell of "Teen Vogue" describes the album as "more than noise", and compliments the group "perfect their ability to make even the quiet parts unabashedly loud, showing us how to live with the noise — not run away from it." "The Lantern" writer Chloe McGowan gave 4.5 out of five  score, and said the album features "fast-paced chart-toppers", "sultry anthems", "serotonin-boosting bops" and "heartbreaking ballads", all "incredibly on-brand" for the self-produced idol group. McGowan also said, "Stray Kids fully utilizes the individual talent of each member on this album as they continue to push boundaries and expectations for K-pop while testing the limits and creative devices of their own sound." Molly Matthews, a music critic from "Redbrick", gave the album full-score ratings and described it as "jaw-dropping" and "jam-packed" with "energy, emotions, and charisma". She also said every part of "Noeasy  drips in gold" from lyrics, vocals, rap to instrumentals. Commercial performance. On August 17, 2021, it was reported that pre-orders for "Noeasy" had surpassed 830,000 copies, and surpassed 930,000 pre-orders on the day of release, breaking their previous record of 300,000 pre-orders for "In Life". According to Hanteo Chart, "Noeasy" sold 355,946 copies on the first day, and 641,589 copies in the first week. Upon its release, "Noeasy" debuted and peaked at number one on the thirty-fifth, and thirty-sixth weeks, two consecutive weeks of the South Korean Gaon Album Chart for the issue dates of  August 22–28, and August 29 – September 4, respectively, becoming the group's fifth number one album on the chart, after "", "", "Go Live", and "In Life". The album has sold 1,127,800 as of the end of August, making it the first million-selling album of the group, and their label, JYP Entertainment, and the sixth 2021 South Korean million-selling album, after BTS's "Butter", NCT Dream's "Hot Sauce", Seventeen's "Your Choice", Baekhyun's "Bambi", and Exo's "Don't Fight the Feeling". All of the album's 14 tracks also entered the Gaon Download Chart simultaneously for the  first time, earning all top-40 hits. "Noeasy" received a million certification by Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) on October 7. "Noeasy" ranked at number eight on the 2021 year-end Gaon Album Chart, selling 1,303,106 copies as of the end of the year. In Japan, "Noeasy" peaked at number 2 on the Oricon Albums Chart, and number 21 on "Billboard Japan" Hot Albums. In the United States, the album entered the "Billboard" Heatseekers Album at number 4, World Albums at number 5, Independent Albums at number 38, and Top Current Album Sales at number 69 for the chart issue date  of September 4, 2021. Its tracks "Cheese", "Thunderous", "Domino", "Ssick", "The View", "Sorry, I Love You", "Red Lights", and "Wolfgang", charted simultaneously at the top 25 in the World Digital Song Sales. The album entered several national charts in Australia (14), Austria (12), Belgium, both Flanders (13) and Wallonia (5), Croatia (34), Denmark (3), Finland (5), Germany (64), Hungary (5), Lithuania (22), the Netherlands (18), Norway (27), Poland (6), Spain (67), and Switzerland (10). It additionally entered the component charts of French Physical Albums (63), Swedish Physical Albums (10), and the UK Album Downloads (26). Credits and personnel. Credits adapted  from the album liner notes. Musicians Technical Others Locations