Music Elixir
Eavesdrop on a conversation between two friends about their favorite Asian artists and music and how music is their tonic of life.
Music Elixir
Stray Kids This And That Breakdown
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
One word turns into a full-blown debate: “FARMING.” If that track made you laugh, squint at the lyrics, or immediately hit replay, you’re going to love this Music Elixir conversation about Stray Kids’ THIS & THAT. We’re Sarashi and DJ Panic, and we try a new album review format built around pointed questions rather than a strict track-by-track checklist, so we can get closer to what the music is actually saying and why it hits different depending on who’s listening.
We talk about 3RACHA’s production choices and whether they “outdo themselves” by expanding Stray Kids’ sound without draining the energy. We dig into the title track messaging of “this and that” versus “this or that,” compare the impact of recent title tracks, and explain why some STAYs hear a bold refresh while others miss the harder edge. Along the way we highlight the Festival remix, the anthemic pull of “RUN IT,” and how a single vocal moment from Felix can redefine a hook.
We also spend time on the softer, more nostalgic side of the album, including why “Back Then” feels like an end-of-summer memory and why “After You” proves Stray Kids can move into smoother vocals and acoustic textures while still sounding like themselves. Finally, we tackle the big question for any K-pop recommendation list: is THIS & THAT the album you’d use to introduce a brand-new listener to Stray Kids?
If you enjoy Stray Kids analysis, K-pop album reviews, and honest fandom talk, subscribe, share this with a fellow STAY, and leave us a five-star rating and a comment with your take. Which track are you defending to the end?
Please help Music Elixir by rating, reviewing, and sharing the episode. We appreciate your support!
Follow us on:
Twitter
Instagram
Bluesky
If have questions, comments, or requests click on our form:
Music Elixir Form
DJ Panic Blog:
OK ASIA
Welcome Back And New Schedule
SPEAKER_00Thank you everybody for joining us here at Music Elixir. I am Sara She, and with me is Mr.
SPEAKER_02Japanic. I was reading something when Sarah was saying. Yeah, it's like hello. Okay. All right. So it's been a while. Sarah and I were thinking of doing bi-weekly episodes. You know, it's something to happen that we really want to discuss. Well, we're giving each other time more.
SPEAKER_00Time, yeah, to deal with our lives, yes.
SPEAKER_02Basically. Yes. 2026 in the mid-2026, things that happened before between us, like uh privately. So we're like, yeah, let's we might need to not see each other as much. And just take a slower approach. Take time. Well, it's not something that happened between us. Okay.
SPEAKER_00Well, you're making it sound like you know, we had a fight, so we need to break from each other.
SPEAKER_02No, no, privately. Okay. Privately, I'm having issues. She's having her own issues. So we So we want to clarify. It wasn't like Is that how it sounded? Yeah, you you were like, Maybe I kept the latter way. People will start listening. Oh my god, I'm having issues, especially for our haters because they love that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no, in our private lives, things have been happening, you know. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Plus all the we had had and have events coming up and things that just it's like, Yeah, uh, we got you know, started with the the two-week well for those who just love us so much that you know they love us too hate and it's a they pr just give you a little like oh my god, yes, they're going through some issues. Yeah, no, no, it's not that we got it's not that.
SPEAKER_00Sorry to give you a hope so we got lives, and since this isn't our main job, it's harder to organize our lives to we have said in the past that if this is something that we can live off, definitely we we can dedicate this.
SPEAKER_02Totally we would do that, of course. Yeah, so so that's something we still manifesting and working towards, you know. It does take time to actually produce and bring something that is entertaining, informative, and you know, and fun. Because we hate to make mistakes, let's say, yeah, because we have made once a major mistake, and we felt like I felt crappy.
SPEAKER_00Oh, I totally did.
SPEAKER_02And I was my mistake, so so it's like you know, and it's like oh especially putting it out there in the in the interwebs, and the you know, and yeah, we backtracked that really quick when they let us know that well that did not happen. And yeah, let's say we get a talk down, and I was not did not like that. No, and I felt really bad.
SPEAKER_00So did I. I felt bad for ages. I still look back on it and cringe, so it's you know, it's not but also we're human, mistakes happen, yeah, yeah, and we learn from it.
SPEAKER_02We're not ones that'll be like, oh, oh well, no, I can't do that. No, that's just no. I you know, I have feelings, and that person has feelings, and the fans have feelings, so yeah, indeed. Anyways, oh we digress, but today we have taken some time to listen to an album from a group that we hope no we are going to see when they come to North America, and they're gonna come to Boston. Oh yeah, Gillette.
SPEAKER_00They're going to Gillette. We're manifesting that. They will.
SPEAKER_02They're going to Gillette. Not this year, because now football season's starting. Nina.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Look at me, Nina. Yeah, Nina. You see, college football already started the season.
SPEAKER_00Oh, I know.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. So, you know, if college football is a good one.
SPEAKER_00Well, they've already been doing preseason stuff too.
SPEAKER_02So yeah, so it's yeah, football season's here. Yay. Okay. I want hockey season to start. Yay! Um, of course, yes, we're a Muslim you say podcast people. Sorry about that. But I mean, for Gillette to be available for groups, you know, bands and whatnot, it will probably be in the summer. When football season's over.
SPEAKER_00No, that's not until February. Ugh.
SPEAKER_02Anyways, we're hoping that it's like in May.
SPEAKER_00Oh, definitely. Uh you know, May or June? Yeah, the earlier, late spring, early summer, because Gillette in August is Oh my god.
SPEAKER_02Lady, lady, the second night was oh, I couldn't. I'm like, I'm I'm shocked that I'm still alive. I didn't faint. I did I didn't faint like the rest, a lot of you we saw. But anyways, this is a really, really long intro for stray kids. We're talking, we're gonna chat about the this and that album that is already have uh was released on August 8th, I believe. Right? Don't tell me on that.
SPEAKER_00No, no, no. The was it July? Was it no? It was August, wasn't it the 6th? Because it dropped the night we were at one of the other shows. Oh my god, yes. So we were listening to it in the car after. Remember?
SPEAKER_02Should we say this story? Okay. Because some of you know that BTS and straight kids are buddy buddies, you know.
Concert Plans And Gillette Dreams
SPEAKER_02You know, members have gone members of BTS have gone seen straight kids shows, and vice versa. Uh so this is the week where Sarah and I went to see BTS at Gilles Stadium. And uh that Friday was the is it the seventh?
SPEAKER_00Oh wait, actually, it was it was the seventh. It was when we were we were coming home. That's when it was. Although actually, because it dropped at midnight, we were still in the car trying to leave the BTS show. Okay, it did technically came out the seventh, but we were driving till 2 30 in the morning anyway. So that's why I thought it was the sixth, but it's okay. Officially it was the seventh. Yeah, but we were still trying to leave the BTS show.
SPEAKER_02So we had a Dilomu Lulu moment, like majorly the Lulu, like the Lulu. That we this is a Delulu because we don't know, we had no idea where BTS were staying. So our Dululu mine was like that. We found the hotel for BTS, that we got into a car and started blasting this and that stray kids and go into the lobby, drive the drive by, blasting stray kids, this and that, and going, Did yes, get out of here. This is stay territory. This is come on, this is us the Lulu being, just having fun. We're just being silly. Yeah, either being army, we're stay as well. You know, we're have multi- we're we have multiple hats when it comes to fandom. And this was just a little ha ha moment.
SPEAKER_00Like despite what everyone says, you can in fact be a fan of more than one group.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, you can. Yeah, yes, you can. Uh your bank account won't like it. No. You know, you can be a fan of more than one. Exactly. Yes, yes, exactly. Hello, hello. Yeah, uh we're both exactly. We are addicted to music. We're addicts, we're music addicts, and and so that was just a fun CD-Lulu moment, just for Ha ha's because it would have been funny.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah, whatever BTS, this is still territory now. We got the new album.
SPEAKER_02Oh my god, and this album. I'm comparing so from listening to Karma to this album, completely different. I mean, each song had like a different feel, a different genre, you know? Yeah, it could have been yes, this there's some poppy songs, but I mean there was like other songs like festival, the remix for the this and that festival version.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, God.
SPEAKER_02It's wow. We were like, yeah. I think I like this version.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely. It was like written for us. We love the party. Well, because what I like about like you said, it's a different sound, but there's not it's not like there's less energy or less, you know, musicality to it. It's just sort of a different tone. It's a remix. Like a lot well, no, I mean the whole album. Oh, okay. Sorry. Like energetically, it's still there. They're still danceable and sing along. But like a lot of this was also sort of more like uh conversation, more like uh interaction, as opposed to just like here's some in-your-face music. Do you know what I mean? I I love the in in your face music. I do festival version of this and that. But like, yeah, this is sort of a shift sound-wise for them, which is which is good. Like I said, no less energy, just different.
SPEAKER_02So there I was telling Sarah before we started, because we like to have a little meeting before we do we start the uh recording, that this time we're actually uh talking about the album differently than how we have talked in the past past, where we have talked for individual songs and then we speak about my favorite is, you know. So I have 15 questions, and we are to answer at that question. So the first question, now that you said that, did three racha, because we know that three racha is their main writer's producer, and you know, they're the ones that created this album, of course, with some help. Let's do not forget about that. Uh, did three racha outdo themselves with this album?
SPEAKER_00Well, like I was saying, the energy is still there. So I don't know that's necessarily like outdid themselves, but they're bringing out a side of themselves that's a little different, a little more approachable. That's why I was saying, like, this is sort of more interactive as opposed to just you know, in your face, loud, which we love. But like this is more more interactive, more give and take with the audience, sound-wise and emotion-wise. So I guess in that respect, yes, they did. They totally have grown in the way they're approaching music and producing music and writing. So, yes.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, this album for me is co of course a completely different vibe than their previous album, which it was Karma. I don't want to compare the two, but definitely it was different. The you know, way that they have doing themselves is because it was a different feel for each song, different genre for each song. They approached this differently than previous uh albums. Uh creatively, yes, they have outdone themselves. And I what I have seen from other stays comments, there's a lot of mixed reactions.
SPEAKER_00Oh really?
SPEAKER_02Yeah. There's like 50-50, but it's being like kind of in the middle. As you know, a lot of the fans that have been around for it doesn't sound like blah blah blah. But I'm like, it doesn't supposed to sound like blah blah blah because you know the age old argument. They need to continue in a global market, they do need to refresh their look, refresh their sound. They I mean, why sound the same if they wanna continue to grow themselves? Because this is another one thing.
BTS Parking Lot Album Release Story
SPEAKER_02The boys wanted to grow themselves, you know, as as musicians. Yeah, I just would like some fans to get out of their head that these are not just pretty boys singing, you know, and be sexy and just just trying to attract you to m for marriage. Because some of these are the really, really the Lulu.
SPEAKER_00Yes, definitely.
SPEAKER_02They are artists, they are entertainers to keep fresh into the end in the industry to compete with new groups, they need to think and do things else out of the box. So definitely this album, it's they're outdoing themselves, right? Just because of that, they're like, uh, yeah, we need to change well, you know.
SPEAKER_00They're mixing up sound, there's a lot of emotion, like different emotions going on in this. And again, you don't want your artists to sound the same all the time. And this is why I was saying the age-old problem, right? Everybody, it doesn't sound like blah, it's not supposed to. No, otherwise, you could just listen to the same album over and over. Exactly. And as artists, they don't want to remain the same, they want to take chances, they want to try new things. So that's why I sort of said changed my answer to yes, they did outdo themselves because they've shown that they're growing as far as how they approach music, how they deal with music, how they deal with lyrics, and just the overall feel of the final product, you know what I mean? Because I definitely I had I was all over the place feeling-wise with this album.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, yeah. I have uh our friend who's now like now getting into straight kids. Cause uh, you know, she was all like, Oh, yeah, I'm an army now, beat the ass, it's like, what are you guys doing now? It's like we're changing gears to straight kids. This is the album we're listening, you know. There's and which she already knew about straight kids, but now that she has more friends to like, oh okay, now I'm not the only one that likes straight kids, so I can so she was mentioning that uh yeah, this album for her was like really good. And there's one song in particular that she liked a lot because it reminded her of her early days liking boy bands, like in sync. Okay. So, anyways.
SPEAKER_00I bet I can guess which one then.
SPEAKER_02Okay. So my this next question is Is this and that actually better than the previous title tracks? Meaning this and that the song. Better than than the previous title tracks.
SPEAKER_03Hmm.
SPEAKER_02So we're talking like maybe Karma and you know. Ah, see.
SPEAKER_00Again, this is hard, right? Um, this and that is well, it shows they're not choosing. Okay, so it's it's strong musically because it's sort of like hip hop-y, but electro and synth. It's very I don't want to say aggressive, but it's very strong. And as opposed to, you know, like during ceremony, karma. When you think of karma, they're like, yeah, karma, karma. So there it's sort of like uh you're gonna get yours kind of feel, right? Whereas this and that is saying we're not gonna choose anything anymore. Because they're not saying this or that, they're saying this and that. I'm gonna have both. I'm gonna take both. So it's strong in that sense, because it's um it's a more like, I know who I am, I know what I want, I'm gonna stand firm with this, and no more choosing, no more picking sides. It's it's both. I'm having that, this and that, taking it all. So it's you know, yeah, I'd say it's very strong in that in the in the lyrical sense, you know, it's very much like mmm, because I mean, sorry, I there's no denying karma is like uh rate, like, oh, you're just like, yeah, party, party, stomp, stomp, stomp. But this one, this one's a little more subtle, a little more, yeah. You know what? Hey, let's take a step back and I'm gonna tell you no more wishy-washy. I'm having it all.
SPEAKER_02So, yeah, no, um, I just wanna, yeah. So there's so many bops when it comes to their title tracks in uh previous albums that it's you can tell the e the evolveness when they have evolved, because I want to go back to their first title song, which it was Hello Vader. God, was that different? But that was it was just I mean, that was JYP. I don't think that was the voice, and um which is completely different. I remember listening to the song, and I was just like, huh? There's other better songs for a title track, which we have said. Sometimes it's like we listen to the album, we're like, this should have been the title track. Why that one?
SPEAKER_00Who was in charge of this decision?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, exactly. But also from that album, they had District 9, which it was like, whoa, and I'm like, this should have been the title track, but um, so I'm just gonna go just for their latest from um from karma to like right now, just to get people more into like more relevant. So, so the title track for karma, it was ceremony. So if I compare ceremony to this and that, I'm like, geez, that was a really good one. But this and that is really good too. They both, it's like they both have like kind of si not similar, similar power, you know, feels they have similar feels, but is it I'm torn here. Do I prefer okay, so if this and that a better track than previous tracks, no, it's good, but there's being other previous tracks that I'm like I'm always thinking of this one. This one is growing on me because then I'm doing also the dance, and everybody's doing their thing. And I love how Felix sounds. Felix has been like honing this this tone that I think is just like Chris has been like, okay, do this. Like, I don't know, for some reason, nah. He's he's just like growing on me. More and more his voice is just changing and just being just wonderful.
A New Way To Review Albums
SPEAKER_02I know who's my bias, yay. But ceremony, I have more impact with ceremony than it comes with this and that.
SPEAKER_00But I do like this and well again, because during ceremony, the fact that they're like karma, karma, karma. I mean, they're in your face with that karma, karma, and then have ceremony. I always call it karma because they say karma so much because Felix is like karma, karma, you know, like ah yes, I know. And everything you see is like karma instead, you know, so but yeah, ceremony. It's but they're also completely different feels. That's why I'm saying I it's hard to say because I love that particular sound of ceremony, but there's something about this song and its use of words. Do you know what I mean? Because like, like despite them talking about, you know, the the truck in the coop and vroom vroom vroom, it's still it's not a vroom vroom song. It's not like it's more laid back, more mellow. It's without being like a slow song, because it's still, like I said, got that hip-hop and the techno and the whatever. But it's I don't know, with ceremony, they were almost like angry. You know what I mean? In this one, they're just like, nope, we're not gonna pick sides. Nope.
SPEAKER_02It's a lot more playful. Yeah. Ceremony is like, oh chambain. Chambane. Chamben on ceremony. We're gonna bat that.
unknownIt's like what?
SPEAKER_02So for me, is it better than previous? Like, uh but no, but I do like it. I mean, I I'm just more attracted to another title track that isn't that that is not like this and that.
SPEAKER_00Well, that's why I'm saying I'm just gonna say it's different, so I can't compare them.
SPEAKER_02I'm telling it like it is for me.
SPEAKER_00I know you are, but I I I don't because I do like this and that a lot. Yeah. And I think it's it's very much about the the lyricality of it.
SPEAKER_02It's very catchy. I do catch my soul sometimes. Now it's if I hear something that says this or that or this and that, and I'll be like, mm-hmm, mm-mm. Mm-mm. Mm-mm. Yeah. Especially when it comes to like Americano and Express. I'm like, yeah, coffee. Okay.
SPEAKER_00Love my coffee. The first time I heard it, I was like, am I hearing that? Yeah. Are they talking about coffee? Coffee. Coffee.
SPEAKER_02And then you're doing the whole like the hand gesture for coffee. I was like, okay. Nice. So next question, or next like, is farming genius or chaos?
SPEAKER_00I think it's genius. And it's it is definitely chaotic because it's got that uh video game sounding, you know. You know, definitely elements of chaos, but I think it's genius because. My honest to God first reaction about it was nothing to do with what the song was actually about. I was talking with my I was playing the album for my sister and we were talking about it and I stopped for a moment. I was like, okay, you know, I'm hearing certain words, but like seriously, when I think of farming in a musical sense, there's a double entendre to it for me. Uh my sister laughed at me because I said, So do you think this is about like, you know, collecting things and and generating, or do you think this is about sex? My sister busted out laughing and says to me, Oh, you mean like spinal tap, sex farm woman? I'm like, exactly, right? They're making all these allusions to you know plowing through your bean fields, but what they're that's not talking about farming. They're talking about something, and only they were more blatant in their title, but yeah, but you know, upon closer listening and inspection of the song, I was like, oh no, no, they are sort of really more talking about uh collecting more fans, maybe globally, the like trying to to get more out of every situation and out of every interaction and whatnot. They're building, they're you know, literally farming for information, for fans, for music, for contact and whatnot. But you know, the the college music theory class that I took really instilled into me that everything can have a double meaning. Yeah, that what you think is something innocent is not as innocent as you think, right? They're just saying it in a nice way. So it's not obvious. But my my literal first re I was like, what exactly are they talking about? Because I think for some reason my mind always goes to the left when it should go right.
SPEAKER_02Well, like you like you said, the video, they're like video gaming kind of thing and whatever. And uh Yunjin is looking evil like it always does. To me, oh my god, he's an evil boy, he's evil. It's just he gives that look, and you're like, oh my god, like away, look away. It's like yeah, this boy, his look has a spell that I'm like just it freezes me. Like, I'm like, ooh, no. I'm like, where's Felix? Felix, say something, and your voice will take, you know, will break the spell. And of course, you hear him going, farming.
SPEAKER_00Well, see, that's sort of what did it, right? It's Felix's voice saying farming. You're like, um, okay.
SPEAKER_02Okay. Well, and you know, Banchang is the one that's like, okay, do farmin. Farming.
SPEAKER_01I was like, oh.
SPEAKER_02He was like, have you seen the the behind the scenes for this song?
SPEAKER_00No, no, I've only seen I saw the video, but I didn't know.
SPEAKER_02So I saw the you know, there's they're behind the scenes for for the song, and and he was like, Okay, Felix, say farming. He goes, farming. He's like, whoa. He was like, he gave him chills because he knows he knows Felix's voice. So anyway, so then he of course my voice saying those words, I'm like, oh my god, farmin. That's all I there's all the words in this song. All I can hear is farmin.
SPEAKER_00So I don't know who finds this deep voice of his, you know, like makes anything sound borderline bronchie.
SPEAKER_02Yo, no, so I don't know if this question is from genius or or chaos. It's genius because you guess Felix saying
Did 3RACHA Outdo Themselves
SPEAKER_02farming. See, it's genius, it's very genius, you know, just because of the attractiveness of his voice. You know, I uh thank you, JYP, for keeping him in a group. Cause another yes, there was some a lot of things going on with Felix starting with the group, and people were like, I don't know, then this and that. And I'm like, there were boys, they happen not there's some things, okay. Not gonna go into details with that, but there were some things when he was in the debut stage with Felix, where I'm like, Well, thank god you keep him, you kept him, and he's there, and he's there to stay his part, the group, and everybody loves him, and I think it was he's one of one of the top members that I love by staying, anyways. That's just not me, but it's what I've been seeing from interviews and whatnot. But farming is genius, I and also the music, even the way it's not it's k-pop in a sense because it's Korean pop, but definitely not really K-pop. I it's a completely different genre. Um it's electron, yeah, it's electronic, definitely, it's EDM, but not really your typical K-pop, and it's genius.
SPEAKER_00Yes. Well, like I said, and anything that can make you think twice about what it's about, girl, it's genius. They knew what they were doing with that. That's why it's genius. The boys knew like this could be suggestive, you know.
SPEAKER_02Of course. Barn Chan knew, Barn Chan knew very well. He's like, Okay, Felix, say farming.
SPEAKER_03Farming.
SPEAKER_02Even he was just like, whoa. Whoa. I'm like, yes, boy, yes. You got the right voice for that. All right, so on the song I do, do you find it too repetitive?
SPEAKER_00I wouldn't have thought of that, actually. Because I do I liked the song a lot because it it reminded me of like, you know, early 2000s indie emo stuff. Like it's very it's angsty, you know what I mean? So I I didn't I was focused more on what the the song was really uh talking about. I didn't know notice particularly repetitiveness, and now I can't really quite because I got farming stuck about that.
SPEAKER_02So I'm trying to I should've asked that question later.
SPEAKER_00So I don't I don't know. I didn't notice it at the time. Now that it's been presented, maybe I will notice when I'm listening to it, but I didn't feel that because again, I was sort of feeling the actual music itself and feeling what the lyrics were trying to convey. Do you know what I'm saying? Like this was I don't know, about like unloading a burden or or sharing a burden and and the idea of I do, you know, is that marital promise, right? To always be there for whatever. So that was sort of more where my mind was was that this is just a a promise to to be there and to share, share the load and not, you know what I mean, face things alone. So, you know, it was yeah, I don't know, I didn't think. So I guess really like thinking in terms of it being an anthem, anything that's an anthem is repetitive, but that's also I sort of like that kind of sound. I like things that are chants, I like things that are cheers, you know. Let's think of Mickey from Tony Basil in the 80s, right? That it was like a cheerleader song, it was very repetitive. So I think I don't always necessarily notice that because I don't mind that cadence and that constant rolling sound. And I think somewhere in the middle they mix it up a little, if I'm remembering correctly. So it's not like solid repetitive to me.
SPEAKER_02Those who do not know the song Mickey is the one that goes, Oh Mickey, you still find you still fine, maybe Mickey. Mickey.
SPEAKER_00I don't want to sing it too much, because I should not be singing lyrics, but but yeah, it's it's a it's a cheer song, it's like a cheerleader, you know.
SPEAKER_02So um that how about that? This one is giving me giving me emo vibes, like Skater Boy for like Avril Lavine, yeah, giving me that vibe just because I was not that into much into that era. This one it I was like, yeah, I like, but it's just like okay, it's it's okay. Repetitive. I don't know how to call it repetitive, but I just like listened to it, but for some reason my brain was just like, it's a song. What I do like me. The thing about this album is like they're giving chances to other genres they're not they have not touched much in previous albums, right? So this is just like we are putting different songs in there because we want to catch as many fans. Firmen! You know, so that's kind of the core for this album. No, I didn't find it too repetitive because guess what? When something is repetitive, it gets stuck in my head. So this wasn't. This wasn't. I wasn't if it's repetitive meaning a genre that's been done, I guess. But repetitive as of like lyrics? No. No, no, okay. So let's talk about this song back and then. Why does back and then hit so differently?
SPEAKER_00Well, because even though it's a a genre that's been done before, um, it's got that it's that nostalgic feel. It's it's a song that you sit there and it makes you think of uh recalling memories. It's got that sort of dreamy nostalgic feel to it. That's the only way I can describe it. You're you're reminiscing about things, you're remembering little things that happened here and there. This is what we like to refer to as like the summer party song or the end of the summer song. It's got those vibes. It's not so much party as you're at a party and everybody's like, oh, we're gonna have to go back to school soon, or you know, whatever the summer vacations from work are ending and we gotta go back to work. So you're you're sort of sitting back and thinking about not only what happened
This And That Versus Past Title Tracks
SPEAKER_00this time, but things that have happened before, previously, like other times you've all been together and hung out around the bonfire discussing life and whatnot. So that's that's what I got from it was that it's very much, you know, the title back then even just says it like how we used to be, how things things used to be, how life used to be. And we're just remembering fondly but a little bittersweetly because this is something that's ending or ended, and you gotta go on with life. So that's how I I felt about it.
SPEAKER_02Isn't that it's very K-pop for me? Um, it's something that uh it has that formula of K-pop, you know? It's sweet, it's loving. Even Felix's voice is very sweet and loving. Yes, I'm gonna be talking about Felix's voice, okay? And even though everybody just have done their voices amazing. I mean, they have an amazing group with different voices that actually blend very well. And then you can find actually hear who is who. Because sometimes some of these groups, some of the some members do blend, and you're like, who's that? Who's that blah blah or that blah blah blah? Who's this? Like you can distinctly know who's who. And this is a sweet song. Very k yeah, this is a sweet K-pop, I guess. I want to call it mathematically when it comes to like the mood, the sense, and everybody together. I do like your hey, it's that yeah, in the summer, everybody's together, and we gotta go or part our ways or go back to school and do the same thing, and blah blah blah blah blah. Very youthful song. Yeah, very, very useful song. Okay. Okay. Is after you evidence that stay kids straight kids can successfully move away from their harder songs.
SPEAKER_00Yes. Cause this after you is actually one of my favorite songs. I love this because this is part of this whole experimental stage of music for them where they're experimenting with sound and style, um, smoother sounds, smoother vocals, more blending and less like aggressive chanting and things. So yeah, this one I think they pulled it off great. I I loved everything about this song. Musically, the whole acoustic, like college boy singing his heart out about heartbreak. So musically, lyrically, it's very good too, you know. Like, it's sort of a a growing song too, because it's a breakup that they're like, How do I go on without you? But the way the music progresses towards the end, I sort of got the impression that they're less saying, How do like it's not so much um I'll never be the same after you, but more reflecting on do they want to be the same. So the music sort of transitions from this acoustic to more more instruments coming in, a little more electro beats and whatnot, upbeat tempos. And so it's it's sort of like they're growing from this this breakup and this idea of like, will I ever be the same? How do I get over you? You changed my life completely. So I think this was definitely a growing song for them, a step outside of what we're used to in many respects. And I think it's beautifully handled in all respects of again, music, lyrics, and how they delivered it. It was just awesome. I love this song. This is probably my favorite of the album. But like, since they're all so different, it's hard to say that I really have a favorite. But I listened to this a lot. I woke up with this song in my head. This was very different from like everything else on the album, I feel. How about you? I think I think it was definitely showing a different side of them, and uh, and in that sense, it's definitely a growth song, and definitely a step away, a departure from the normal vocals are more mellower, of course, they're not you know heavy.
SPEAKER_02It's giving me that oh my god. It's giving me another summer song. It's giving me type of like the vibes of like, even though it's you might hear some sorrow on their voices, you know? Mm-hmm. Because after you. You know? Yeah. They can actually it's they can actually pull it coming out of because they're very when it comes to the heart songs, they're very like, yeah, they're they're very popular in that sense. This one is another one in the B side that you know why they make a video for this song? I think they I think they did. Did they? I know they did one for farming.
SPEAKER_00I I think there is one. Yeah, they did.
SPEAKER_02They made a video for I did not see that one. Anyways. But it's like, yeah, it's it's the refreshing, it's a different side of stray kids, you know? As this album, each song is gonna be a different side of stray kids. And this is another one that yes, they can actually come out of that their their heart sound. What is it? The question was it's if after you evidence for that stray kids can successfully move away from the harder sounds. Yes, they can. Yeah, they can.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely, yeah. Because like I said, this had it had a progression to it of going from this like sorrow of breakup to almost like you did me a favor. That music's increase sort of gave a change, and that's an amazing feat to pull off musically, like lyrically and musically to to make this emotion roll over to not just heartbreak but sort of something more. Well, that's why I was drawn to it. I was like wow, that's it.
SPEAKER_02Yes, definitely successfully move away from harder songs. Yes, yes. I mean, this album is like an evidence of them doing what they can in different genres. Absolutely. So yay! Yay on that. So now, next question. I don't know if I'm gonna ask, hold on. Nah, no, I'm not gonna that question, I don't like that. Okay, okay. Because it's yeah. Oh, is the album intentionally designed for global audience?
SPEAKER_00Absolutely.
SPEAKER_02Oh yes.
SPEAKER_00Oh you don't you don't have to elaborate anymore on nope that other than it's exactly what it's designed for.
SPEAKER_02Exact, exact right. I mean, like I like we have been mentioning it's nostril k-pop. There's different genres. Some songs have less Korean as well. Right. So definitely they want to go more, you know, they're they're catering to everybody, to a global audience. So yes, definitely.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, just the range of sounds between all these songs. Yet they blend together because there's elements of one into
Farming Genius Or Chaos
SPEAKER_00the next, or you know, a couple songs later. Because we've got a couple of anthem-sounding things, we got a couple of nostalgic retro sounds. So yeah, they and then again, current K-pop standard, and yeah, they've definitely that's what they're working on.
SPEAKER_02So why does this and that seem to resonate differently with different parts of State? If we look into some, we have seen it that some some stay, they're like, Oh, I don't like the remix of this and that. You have told me that. Yeah, I saw more than one. There's some people that are just like, oh, what is like I have seen people talk about farming. They're like, oh, what is this song? It's like I don't get it. Exactly. Like, I don't get it. And what is this song? And oh, and and in blah blah blah. So there there have been some stays that don't get some of the songs, or just like dismiss some of the songs. So I can see I can see why some fans are this, you know, like hit differently in in some of the songs. Like they don't they might not see the the album com as a complete haul. Right. But they're just like, I just like this song and that song. Look, not not like not this and that, but like I I don't I can't get they're they're going with this or that as opposed to the. I'm talking about the farming one because I have seen many fans and many stays saying, like, oh, farming, I don't really like this song. I'm like, what?
SPEAKER_00Well, what? Because it's so different though. I that's why I really like it. And it's I liked it from the first listen, but I had to keep listening to it over and over again to really fully because I was like, this can't be what I'm thinking. It can't be what I'm thinking. And I had to look at the lyrics because I was like, I am hearing something different here. I don't know.
SPEAKER_02So once, you know, I like this song just because it's a different formula of song that it comes supposedly quote unquote K-pop group, you know? Because I'm like, this is so different, it's awesome, besides McForce Felix.
SPEAKER_00But and I'm still gonna mention it, but it just it had this crazy energy, right? You were just like and it did, it made you question things like what am I hearing?
SPEAKER_02And the blend of each member's tone, yeah. It's it's different because one will be very melodic, you know, like it and then then you got feelings farming. Well, that's you know, think about thank you.
SPEAKER_00Every everything though that they have Felix do. Because I always think of do it, do it, do it, and then like you said on ceremony, him go, karma, comma. Yeah, I'm like, they use Felix for very specific things, yeah.
SPEAKER_02They know which words like if they want the word to hit, you just bring Felix in, and he's just like, oh bunch, bonta, thank you, bunch Christopher, thank you, Christopher.
SPEAKER_00I think it's genius. He knew exactly what he was doing. He's like, I know what we need here.
SPEAKER_02He's like, Peter, come over here, come get in there, say this word, just say this word three times. And Phoebe's like, Piece of cake, how much am I getting? Oh my god, yes. Anyway, so you know, those who those days that find you know the different songs differently. Well, you know, that's your opinion. And but uh thank you for supporting the other songs that you like, because I'm sure you're streaming those songs that. You really like and then that's it what's important. Exactly. And that's what's important. So oh I gotta like this one. Which song will you defend if someone said it was the worst song on the album?
SPEAKER_03What are we talking about, Martin?
SPEAKER_00Well, since you mentioned that people are like farming and the this and that festival, yeah. Both of those, because again, they've you've got to well, you don't have to.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
SPEAKER_00But there it there is a genius behind it, and there is like I said, they wrote the festival version for us because that's exactly the kind of music we like. Oh yeah. It's exactly the kind of feel we like. You mean us you you and I? Yes, yes. Yeah. Sorry, that's not the rest of the not everybody for for us. Panic and I specifically. This is it was like they knew they just said, Oh, you know, Panic and Satoshi need this festival version with all these crazy sounds and this music and this beat and everything. So we're giving it to them. But also with farming, same thing. You have like there's there is this genius behind how it's produced, what it's saying, how it's written, how it makes you feel. So I just I would defend those two.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. To the d to the death of the time. Yeah. No, me too. Me too. Definitely it would.
SPEAKER_00They're genius, they are.
SPEAKER_02So if you could remove one song, which one would it be? Well, Sarah's like, oh shit.
SPEAKER_00I don't I don't know that I would remove one. Hmm. I guess I don't know. That's really tough. Because I like them all. Because we haven't really touched on Way Out, but I like that as a direct opposition to After You. It's a completely different type of breakup song. So I really like I like those two because they're both breakup songs, but with completely different feelings. I do like I do because of the that retro emo indie. I like back then because of the retro gentle feelings. This and that, farming, run it, run it's amazing too. Because it's such a like fanfare heralding. So I just I can't pick one that I would take out. Because they're they're all so different. It's not like you're saying, oh, this sounds like that, so why do I need to hear it? You know what I mean? It they're all I guess I'd take out the standard this and that version and just go with the festival. How's that?
SPEAKER_02Uh is that cheating? That's not cheating. I will, you know what? Yeah, because they're both in the album. You know, huh? You know, I go with you too. I will go, I will take out the
Why Back Then Hits So Hard
SPEAKER_02original version of this and that and put in the this and that festival version just because we love it so much. And we go hard on that one. We go hard on that one.
SPEAKER_00That was the one, yeah, when we were driving back. We were like, yeah, right?
SPEAKER_02We're listening. Okay, so we were listening to the album on our way back from the our vacation. And then when this one came out, we're like, oh, yeah, this one's hidden. Yeah, this is like really good. This is it. This is the one. This is the one. Okay, so that's that will be our opinion. The remix of this and that stays, but and then we take out the original this and that. It's still this and that. Come on. Exactly. Okay. All right, so which B size deserve a music video? There's some already that have music videos, yeah. But let's see, uh, which one I know run it, of course. This and that. And um after you I believe has one. Farming has one, and then farming has one.
SPEAKER_00Hmm.
SPEAKER_02So now we have now I do way out and back then.
SPEAKER_00So which one deserves a video?
SPEAKER_02The one that I wanted to deserve a video, but which it has one is farming now. So I don't know.
SPEAKER_00Because I don't know at this moment if they have a video for I Do Way Out or Back T. But I think I would like to see what they do with back then. So if there's not a video, I haven't looked recently.
SPEAKER_02By the way, everybody were recording on August 29th. Yes.
SPEAKER_00Uh so if they don't have one already for that, that would be the one I go with. Because I'd like to see how they portray that, how they express that.
SPEAKER_02Right. Okay.
SPEAKER_00How about you?
SPEAKER_02Well, mine would have been farmin, but there's already a video for farmin. I know, look at me, everybody's like, Medea Panic only likes farmin, okay? She is obsessed with farmin and you know, farmin, farmin, farmin. Yes. How about this and that festival version? Yeah, definitely. Because it's festival version, you know? It's there's gotta be a party, there's gotta be something going on. It's like fireworks and confetti and all kinds of just dancing and just paw pows everywhere, you know? Mm-hmm. Definitely. Okay, so that's what I want to see. Your version is the this and that remix video. Excuse the people talking in the background. It's nothing. It's nothing. Anyways, so that was for me. Now on this album of Stray Kids, This and That, which song will age the best? Hmm. It's a good question. Right? I'm saying run it.
SPEAKER_00Well, do you think because it's sort of a such a strong anthematic kind of song?
SPEAKER_02The the whole the fanfake, yeah. The trumpets, the the the go get it, we're here, we're running it, you know, dah dah.
SPEAKER_00The drums, the bass, the the Yeah, it's got a a momentum. Yeah. It's it just keeps driving forward. It's very strong. So yeah, I would say that's probably a good choice. Unless, you know, I know more about how everybody's thinking of the other songs, like you won't when you know how the audience is reacting to things, that's how you'll know that one's gonna make an impact and it's gonna stay around. I haven't really looked at the s the numbers on these, but but run it just as a song that's all encompassing as far as like getting you involved. Yeah, it just pulls you in. It does. Yeah. So yeah, definitely that one has stay in power. Do you see what I did there without even trying?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, no. It will age, yeah. Run it definitely, will age better in the from this album. Uh, you can go back to it and be like, who's this? In what year was it? Because it could you can it could be brand new next year or then the year after that, and the year after that. Right. Uh it does not have a definite era uh feel, let's say.
SPEAKER_00Right, yeah. It doesn't have a specific sound locking it into something.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. So to me, run it, it's is gonna age the best. Now, is this and that a better title track than run it?
After You And Softer Stray Kids
SPEAKER_02To end it, to end our questionnaire. Is this and that a better title track than run it? You know, we have said sometimes like, hey, how come this wasn't the title track and is this one?
SPEAKER_00No, I think run it still that's more sort of uh hitting the point of what they're doing with this album. They're gonna hit the streets with it, run with it, all around the world. Do you know what I mean? It's very much like uh a point they're driving home that we're here and we're gonna take it for as long as we can and run it as long as we can. So I think it's it's stronger in that sense. It's more I think because of the fanfare and the the the horns, the brass, the drums, the beat, everything about it. This and that's kind of a little like sassy, you know what I mean? So it's I think run it stronger in the sense of being like a leading to introduce this album, yes.
SPEAKER_02Run it is the the best choice. Uh of course the second song will of course being this and that because now you're like, oh my god, yes, the boys are back, woo! You know, so it's um it's a warm-up. Run it is definitely is a warm-up to the album, and definitely, yes, it's it's the best title track for this album. And then, of course, you know, this and that is the name of the album as well, even though Run It is the title, the title track. Awesome. I actually I lied. I do have another um another question. Um so if someone had never listened to straight kids before, would this and that be the album you would use to introduce them to the to the to the group? And why?
SPEAKER_00Well, I used it to introduce my sister. I mean she's familiar with straight kids, but not like since you know several albums ago. Like she doesn't follow them in that sense. So having her listen to this, she was like, Wow, this is so varied, so different. And I think so, yes, it would be a good one because it's showing them expanding their horizons, sort of playing with everything. They're starting to come into what they want to do and what sounds they want to capture. So I think this would be good because it's got a really amazing range to it.
SPEAKER_02I would use as well this and that to somebody who never heard of K-pop, or it's like, what is K-pop? And I'm like, hey, check this group out. Just because the different type of genres on each song. So there could be if somebody it's like, oh, maybe they'll like the whole album, or maybe they just like a couple of songs, but definitely that if any songs will attract to that person, it's a win. Exactly. But definitely, this album is great to introduce to somebody who never heard of K-pop, and but also give the group a chance of like a brand new listener and be like, hey, I kind of like, I don't know, Farman. Like that guy's voice, who is it? Jace, who's the guy saying Farmin? You know, which a lot of people I when I introduced Felix to people, they're like, hear this voice. They're like, wow, and I'm like, picture it. Can you give me a picture of how this person looks like? And everybody is completely way off of how this guy looks like and how old he is, you know? It's like, yeah, this guy's probably like in his 30s, just big buff guy. And it's like, okay. Then show them the pictures of Felix. It's like, this is the guy who's singing that song. And they're like, no way. They're like, what? Isn't he like 16? What? This is a boy. And I'm like, no, not a man. He just has a very powerful voice. So definitely, yeah, definitely we'll use this and that to introduce to somebody who never heard of straight kids so they can appreciate different types of genres within the album. Because I'm sure they if they listen for the first time, and maybe not let's just throw it out there. I'm sure some people will be like, and who's this group? And who's this group on each song? Because they're not gonna be hearing familiarities or kind of sounding the same within the album because everything is different.
SPEAKER_00Well, and then also because they're also different, you can refer them to other things based on what they're like, oh well, I really prefer this sound or this, you know what I mean? So you can because that's what's good about it, is that you can connect it to other songs that would suit do you know what I mean? Right. Like without
Global Audience And Mixed STAY Reactions
SPEAKER_00forcing the person to have to just accept everything as this, but you can be like, so try this album, because there's a few songs like this, right? And maybe the exposure to all of the different sounds would eventually break through.
SPEAKER_02Well, with one of our friends, they were introduced to stray kids, not with this album, it was another album, but it opened up their curiosity to listen to everything they did. So now they're stay. Hey, all right they love the group just because of that. Awesome. So yay! Win and win. All right, so anything else, Miss C around? No, okay, so everybody, thank you very much for listening to this music elixir episode, completely different that we have done for like dip dives on when it comes to songs, and uh let us know what do you guys think of this concept? I just gonna bring it back because nobody wants to say anything to me. Sarah, what do you think? It's a different style, yeah.
SPEAKER_00No, it is because you listen to it and pick out all the the things you you like about it and think about it, but then having these questions to sort of like focus it in and make it focus on the album instead of us like, well, this sounds sound like EDM and it gives you this, and it's like blah, and it's like how many people are I mean, we done that, but then I was like, everybody's doing that.
SPEAKER_02Like, I want something fresh and different for the podcast. It's uh we go.
SPEAKER_00But we still mention those things because it's a part of the whole experience, but yeah, no, I like sort of making you think about well, why was I attracted to that song? Exactly. Why do I think that was yes, you know what I mean?
SPEAKER_02And also, this I want this to spark your conversation with us. Please let us know. Do you think that three of Raja outdo themselves? That's one question. Do you think that this and that actually is better than the previous tracks, title tracks, you know? Uh, is farming genius or chaos? Well, you all know how I feel about farming. Till the end, I'm saying farming, and also if you will use this album to introduce it to other people, and and why will you do that? We would like to know. You can leave us a comment on our ex Twitter at okayasia. No, sorry, sorry, because I say it's every time I go on there. Music elixir underscore, also blue sky at music elixir pod. Also, we have an Instagram that is kind of like um dormit dormant, it's taking us sleep time. It's in sleepy mode. Maybe we'll it's on sleepy mode. Something there. We'll do something.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, but it's in sleepy mode. Um, but then we also have Google form on our yes, we do Buzz Sprout.
SPEAKER_02On our show notes. Go down there. There's a link to the Google Forms. You can leave us your comment, your question, answer the question, give us your comment, and then on the next episode, we'll read them. Please, come on, stay. You I know you are very vocal when it comes to this. You go on the people's platforms and you say blah blah blah. How about us? You know, we would like
Listener Questions Five Stars And Bias Shift
SPEAKER_02to hear your opinion. Open conversation. Yes, all right. So please give us five stars because we love our constellations, and we had a major lunar eclipse this week. Was crazy. I know, right? That was some my dreams were whoa, jeez. Anyways, uh, what else? Yeah, kill five stars and oh, we have a fan mail. Okay, if you go to our website, fan um bus proble let's say, hey, send us you can send there your uh question and answer. Yeah, exactly. On straight kids uh this and that. All right, so until next time. Bye-bye.
SPEAKER_00Johnny Bang Chan's always been like my bias, yeah. Chanbin became my wrecker after that concert. Like, does he go up in status when I become more focused on him than my original bias? He was my wrecker, but now he's sort of like I just am obsessed with him. He can do no wrong for me. Banchan or Chanbin? Chanbin. Chanbin? Ban Chan was my yeah, you he's your bias. Chanbin was the wrecker. Okay. And now he's like always my focus. He's that unhinged rapper that we love, you know. So does he now move up to bias and ban chan's just the wrecker?
SPEAKER_02Well, it's your it's it's how you feel about it. Did you feel like he has you know up the rank to bias and gone down and then Chan Bing um Ban Chan gone down to the Yeah, I th I think that's what's happened.
SPEAKER_00I think that there's been a shift in the bias universe.