Stray Kids Celebrate Their Journey with New Album 'KARMA'

"Our fourth studio album 'KARMA' feels like a reward for all our efforts and sweat. This album is our way of giving back the love we've received from STAY, and perhaps it will become their karma too."

Stray Kids are set to return with their new album 'KARMA', celebrating their journey built on hard work and dedication.

On the 22nd at 1 PM KST (midnight EST), Stray Kids will release their fourth studio album 'KARMA' along with the title track 'CEREMONY'. Prior to this, on the 20th, they shared 'Stray Kids [INTRO "KARMA"]' on their official social media channels, where the eight members personally discussed their new release.

The album title 'KARMA' signifies destiny and retribution, with an added meaning of 'Calmer'. Stray Kids convey the message, "When bad karma comes, we will calm it with our good karma." They confidently state, "'KARMA' is a proud statement we can make at our current stage and position. The title has a strong tone, symbolizing what we've built as our weapon and a kind of warning."

The title track 'CEREMONY' is a perfect fit for Stray Kids at this moment. After setting numerous records with their largest world tour 'dominate', spanning 54 shows across 34 regions, they return to their hometown Seoul with a grand celebratory song. The members express confidence in 'CEREMONY', saying, "We are confident," and "We think we can do well." The song, crafted by 3RACHA, is described as a communal piece, "written as a gift for STAY, especially with the upcoming stadium tour in mind. It's a song that fits large spaces and allows for collective cheering and synergy."

The members also contributed to the performance. Hyunjin led with various ideas, while Lee Know focused on meaningful choreography. Hyunjin stated, "With so many elements and a dynamic melody in the song, we wanted choreography as rich as the music." Lee Know added, "We plan to showcase the stage skills and confidence we've gained over a year of touring on music shows. Each member will perform their own ceremony at the end, offering a unique spectacle."

'KARMA', their first studio album in over two years since '★★★★★ (5-STAR)', is described as an 'Avengers' album. Many tracks, including 'CEREMONY', 'BEEP', 'In My Head', 'Phoenix', and 'Half Time', were contenders for the title track. The group's producing team, 3RACHA, consisting of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, participated in all 11 tracks, showcasing Stray Kids' unique musical world.

The album features a variety of genres, each with its own story, including the quintessentially 'Stray Kids' track 'BEEP', the fun and easy 'CREED' created in a hotel room, 'MESS', which was revisited five years after its initial guide, the rock festival-friendly 'In My Head', the twist-filled 'Half Time', the playful 'Phoenix', the intriguingly titled 'Ghost', and the bright and refreshing fan song '0801'.

Stray Kids attribute their 'karma' and the celebratory 'ceremony' to the love from STAY. They express a mix of apology for the long wait and eagerness to present high-quality new work to their fans. "Thanks to STAY's belief in us, we could believe in ourselves and move forward. This album 'KARMA' is our way of repaying the fans' trust and love," they explain.

Challenging the notion that "destiny is given," Stray Kids assert that "destiny is something to be carved out." With countless efforts and relentless dedication, they are ready to shout "Hip hip hooray!" in celebration of their shining present.

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr