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Noeasy
Digital cover
Studio album by
Stray Kids
ReleasedAugust 23, 2021 (2021-08-23)
Studio
  • JYPE (Seoul)
  • Jisang's (Seoul)
  • Channie's Room (Seoul)
Genre
Length46:35
Language
  • Korean
  • English
LabelJYP
Producer
  • 3Racha
  • Versachoi
  • HotSauce
  • ByHVN (153/Joombas)
  • Telykast
  • Millionboy
  • Hong Ji-sang
  • JinbyJin
  • Earattack
  • DaviDior
  • Armadillo
  • Gump
  • Kobee
  • Holy M
Stray Kids chronology
All In
(2020) 		Noeasy
(2021) 		Christmas EveL
(2021)
Singles from Noeasy
  1. "Thunderous"
    Released: August 23, 2021

Noeasy is the second studio album by South Korean boy group Stray Kids. It was released on August 23, 2021, through JYP Entertainment, nine months after its predecessor the Japanese-language extended play (EP) All In (2020), and eleven months after the Korean reissue In Life (2020). The album's title is a wordplay on "noisy" and "no easy", and conveys the idea of the group making a loud impact on the world with their music.

For the album, 3Racha (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han), an in-house production team consisting of members of Stray Kids, worked with songwriters and producers including Versachoi, HotSauce, Hong Ji-sang, Krysta Youngs, and the group's other members. The fourteen-track album spans the musical genres hip hop, EDM, pop, R&B, and rock, and includes the lead single "Thunderous", and earlier releases "Wolfgang" and "Mixtape: Oh".

Upon its release, Noeasy received favorable reviews for its creativity, storytelling, themes, and energy. The album peaked at number one on the Gaon Album Chart, and in the top 20 of album charts in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland. Over 1.3 million copies of Noeasy were sold in 2021 and the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) certified it a million-seller, 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

[edit]
3Racha, consisting of Bang Chan (left), Changbin (center), and Han (right), a production team of Stray Kids, who wrote and produced all the group's release, including Noeasy.

Stray Kids uploaded the video "Step Out 2021", which describes the group's accomplishments in 2020 and plans for 2021—including a second studio album—.through their social media channels on January 1, 2021.[1] Between April and June of that year, the group participated in the Mnet competitive reality television show Kingdom: Legendary War, in which they competed against other similar groups and emerged as the winner.[2] During the program, they released the song "Wolfgang" on May 28, from the extended play (EP) Kingdom <Final: Who Is the King?>,[3] as part of the final performance competition.[4] This was followed by the single "Mixtape: Oh" on June 26 and the announcement Hyunjin would rejoin the group in July following a hiatus since late February.[5][6]

On June 29, 2021, the South Korean news outlet SpoTV News reported the group would release an album in late August and hold Kingdom Week, a television-program benefit for the winner.[2] Later, JYP Entertainment confirmed the group were preparing a new album but had not decided its format. Hyunjin would also participate in the new album's promotion.[7][8] A month later, via the album trailer "Thunderous", the group announced their second studio album would be titled Noeasy and was scheduled for release on August 23, 2021, marking their first Korean physical release in 11 months.[9][10]

Before the album announcement, in early July, Stray Kids released SKZ Camp Song: Howl in Harmony, a five-episode camp-type online program that documents the group's song-creation process and the making of music videos for them.[11] They group were separated into three teams: Quokka Bbang Daengi (Han, Seungmin, I.N; formerly Margarine Bbang) to write the song "Gone Away";[12] Yeoreum Wangja (Lee Know, Changbin, Felix) for "Surfin'";[13] and Bekka Wang (Bang Chan, Hyunjin) for "Red Lights".[14][11] In early April, the group also teased the B-side "Sorry, I Love You" on their V Live's live-streaming content Chan's Room,[15][16] and "The View" was teased as a title on the music video of "Mixtape: Oh" in late June.[17]

Title and concept

[edit]

The album's title, Noeasy, is a wordplay on "noisy"—describing the misconception of the group's music as "noise music"—[18][19] and "no easy", reflecting the highs and lows of life.[20] According to Bang Chan; "We [Stray Kids] actually thought the term 'noise music' was something that we could use as our own weapon".[19]

Both interpretations express that despite the group's hardships, they aim to be the noisiest group.[21] Bang Chan, the group leader, told several South Korean news outlets; "[Noeasy] means that we want to leave a loud impact on the world with our music". Seungmin 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' ... "[22]

Music and lyrics

[edit]

Noeasy is forty-six minutes and thirty-five seconds long, and has fourteen tracks of various music genres.[23] 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 are "emotional" songs with pop, rock, and R&B sounds. The album concludes with three sub-unit songs and two previously released songs.[21][18][24] All of the tracks were produced and mostly written by Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, who work together as the group's production team 3Racha. Other group members also participated in song writing; Lee Know and Felix co-wrote "Surfin'", Hyunjin co-wrote "Red Lights", and Seungmin and I.N co-wrote "Gone Away".[23][24] Several other Korean and foreign songwriter-producers, including Versachoi, HotSauce, Hong Ji-sang, and Krysta Youngs, also contributed to the album.[23]

Songs

[edit]
The Korean title of "Thunderous", "Sori-kkun", is inspired by a singer position of pansori (pictured) of the same name.

Noeasy opens with "Cheese", an EDM track with a "strong" rock] sound, "cheerful" energy, and "rough" bass synth, which uses the word "cheese" as a wordplay to compare smiling with a variety of cheeses.[25] The lyrics include a flippant response to the group's critics.[26][27] "Thunderous", the second track and the album's lead single, is a hip-hop[18] and trap[18] song that includes elements of Korean traditional music (gugak), brass instruments, and chuimsae. The song expresses the conviction the group will not be discouraged and will maintain their principles despite criticism. The Korean title "Sori-kkun" (소리꾼) has a dual meaning of jansori-kkun (잔소리꾼) meaning "nagger", and sori-kkun (소리꾼) meaning "(pansori's) singer".[23][28][19]

The hip-hop-influenced third track "Domino"[26] begins with a doorbell sound, alluding to the pizza brand; the song also has "intense" beats, "distinctive" sounds, and high-pitched taepyeongso.[29][27] It compares the group's ambition and confidence to a game of dominoes. The lyrics imply the group's actions encourage other to follow after them in a domino effect.[30] "Ssick", the fourth track, is a mid-tempo[30] hip-hop and EDM song whose title has the dual meaning of "sick", which in English is slang for "good", and the Korean word ssik (씩), which means "grin smile".[24] It references the influence of fame[21] and its attraction, and conveys the message feeling special about oneself is enough.[30]

"The View", the fifth track, is described as a "rhythmic",[27] "summery",[27][30] and "hopeful healing",[31] upbeat, synth-pop track.[32][33] The song is based on an EDM sound;[32] its lyrics are about winning over past difficulties and future uncertainties while feeling refreshed and optimistic.[24][30] "Sorry, I Love You", the mid-tempo R&B[33] sixth track expresses a feeling of guilt and regret for liking someone and potentially ruining a friendship.[34][35] The seventh track "Silent Cry" is an alternative rock song about two people who cannot see each other's pain, and offers comfort to the silent, world-weary soul.[24][30] The eighth track "Secret Secret" is a slow-tempo R&B[26] song that conveys comfort and sympathy with the narrator wanting to tell their secrets to rain.[36][24] "Star Lost", the dance-pop,[33] soft rock[37] ninth track, is a "feel-good" song with a nostalgic composition[24][26] that calls on fans who feel alone to believe in themselves.[30]

The upbeat,[38] alternative R&B[39] tenth track was performed by Bang Chan and Hyunjin; "Red Lights" features a "wild" feeling created by "violent" string sounds and electric guitar, giving it a "ripened sexy charm".[14] Its lyrics use the theme of continuing to love someone despite having concerns and suffering, and talk about an unhealthy obsession with work.[38] The summer-vibe, upbeat, dance-pop[40] eleventh track "Surfin'" which is sung by Lee Know, Changbin, Felix, is described as "like a glass of carbonated water" with tropical sounds and marimba beats and lyrics about how having occasional little adventures can heal the soul and mind, allowing one to keep one's lives on track and not solely focus on work.[13][27][41] "Gone Away", the twelfth track, is a ballad that describes an unrequited love and the frustration of someone who cannot to be with their lover; it is sung by Han, Seungmin, and I.N.[12][42]

The title "Wolfgang" was inspired by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (pictured).

"Wolfgang", the hip-hop thirteenth track, describes a wolf pack making music by following Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and compares Stray Kids to the pack-hunting behavior of wolves. It was intended to convey a cohesive and solid appearance,[clarification needed] and unstoppable will to pursue a goal.[4] The album concludes with "Mixtape: Oh", a mid-tempo electropop song from the Mixtape Project; it has a reggaeton rhythm that describes the frustration of being clumsy and immature in front of the object of one's desire, and expresses feelings of resentment and frustration at those feelings.[5][6][43]

Release

[edit]

Stray Kids released Noeasy on August 23, 2021, on CD in both limited-edition and standard versions and download, and on streaming platforms.[44][45][18] A jewel case version of the album was released on August 30, one week after the official release date.[46] Previewing and pre-orders for the limited-edition version began on July 22, concurrent with the trailer release,[47][48] the two standard versions began one week later,[49][50] and the jewel case version began on the day after the release date.[51]

The album's limited and standard editions contain a CD-R, a package sleeve, a photobook, a lyrics book, a randomized member sticker, a 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 are available through pre-order.[47][49][52][46]

Promotion

[edit]
A scene in "Thunderous" trailer shows the "sound monster", who is Stray Kids' enemy, and Korean subtitles translating to "there has been a rampage going on by people who have lost their voices."[53]

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 was scheduled for release on August 23. The trailer was directed by Lee Hye-sung and produced by Sushivisual;[54] it has a superhero theme and shows the members transforming into avenger corps against the ear-shaped "sound monster" by inventing technology and weapons, and brainstorming strategies in an apocalyptic world.[9][10] On August 2, they released an exclusive clip with behind-the-scenes footage of the trailer. In the clip, the members tease the undisclosed lead single; Felix appears alone and greets the group's fans.[55]

The group released snippet videos for the eight of the twelve tracks: "Cheese",[25][56] "Red Lights",[14] "Gone Away",[12] "Surfin'",[13] "Domino",[29][16] "Sorry, I Love You",[34][35] "The View",[31] and "Secret Secret".[36] The teaser images were uploaded in three sets. The first concept shows a red avant-garde outfit with a smoky background.[57][58][59] The second depicts a black-and-white outfit with plain white[60][61][23][62] or hanok background.[28] The third shows pastel-colored casual outfits surrounded by neon lights.[63][28][64]

The complete track list of Noeasy was announced on August 12, 2021, with "Thunderous" as the album's lead single, and the previous releases "Wolfgang" and "Mixtape: Oh".[23] Two music-video teasers of"Thunderous" were released on August 20 and 21,[65][66] and the performance-video teaser with SKZoo's costumes was released the following day.[67] The online cover artwork, and the 24-minute-long documentary video Intro: "Noeasy" introducing the album, were also released with the album on August 23.[68][69] To promote the album, the group held an online listening party via Stationhead on August 27 (KST),[70] and appeared on several television and radio programs, including domestic music programs,[71] Weekly Idol,[72] After School Club,[73] Day6's Kiss the Radio,[74] and Cultwo Show.[75] In addition to the lead single, the accompanying music videos for B-sides "The View",[32] "Cheese",[76] "Red Lights",[38] "Surfin'",[41] and "Gone Away",[42] and live videos for "Sorry I Love You"[77] and "Secret Secret"[78] were also released.

Kingdom Week <No+>

[edit]

Stray Kids appeared on Kingdom Week <No+>, a television variety show that benefits the winner of Kingdom: Legendary War, which aired on Mnet for seven episodes from August 17 to 23.[79] The first and second episodes showed the group behind the scenes during Kingdom: Legendary War, with commentary by Felix and Seungmin.[80] In the third, fourth, and fifth episodes, the members go to a villa to rest and play a game called "buddy catcher".[81] The sixth episode includes the group's best performance chosen by the group members.[82] The final episode, airing the day as the album's release, called Stray Kids Comeback Show "Noeasy", showcases the album.[83]

Singles

[edit]

"Thunderous" is the lead single from Noeasy.[23][45][18] It was accompanied by a music video that was directed by Bang Jae-yeob,[84] and posted to YouTube,[85] Naver TV,[86] and V Live.[87] Both the single and the video were released alongside the album on August 23, 2021.[44][45][18] "Thunderous" peaked at number thirty-three on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart,[88] number three on the US World Digital Song Sales,[89] and number eighty on the Billboard Global 200,[90] and took six wins from music programs: twice on Show Champion, twice on M Countdown, once on Music Bank, and once on Inkigayo.[91] The accompanying music video reached 50 million views on YouTube in six days of release[92] and 100 million views in fifty-five days, making it the group's fastest and fifth 100-million-view music video.[93][94]

Live performances

[edit]

Stray Kids gave the debut performance of Noeasy with a showcase, called Stray Kids Comeback Show "Noeasy", which was held on the day as the album's release 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).[95] The group promoted "Thunderous" on South Korean music programs[71] M Countdown,[96][97][98] Music Bank,[99][100][101] Show! Music Core,[102][103][104] Inkigayo,[105][106][107] and Show Champion[108][109] for three weeks, August 26 – September 12, along with "The View" in the first week of promotion,[96][102][105][108] and "Secret Secret" at Show! Music Core on September 4.[103] "Domino" was also promoted and performed during September 24–26 on Music Bank, Show! Music Core, and Inkigayo.[110] "Sorry, I Love You" was performed for the first time at Unite On: Live Concert on November 6.[111]

Stray Kids also performed songs from Noeasy 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.[112] They performed "Domino" and "Thunderous", and also showed Lee Know's solo dance performance and 3Racha's rap performance, at the 2021 Asia Artist Awards on December 2.[113] "Cheese" was given its 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", whis was performed by 3Racha.[114][115] The group performed "Thunderous" with a new arrangement at the 36th Golden Disc Awards on January 8, 2022, alongside "Top" and "Wolfgang".[116]

The group performed "Thunderous" at the 2021 KBS Song Festival on December 17 at Namhansanseong; the performance was described as a "mega performance" and "action movie-like feeling".[117] They performed the Christmas version of "Thunderous" at 2021 SBS Gayo Daejeon on December 25, using canes and group dance, and parodying Squid Game's 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 other artists.[118][119] They closed the year with a performance of "Thunderous" at 2021 MBC Gayo Daejejeon on December 31, adding the ringing of a New Year's bell before the New Year ceremony.[120]

As an ambassador for the Korea Pavilion of Expo 2020 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.[121] 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.[122] The debut performance of "Silent Cry" was given at the group's second fan meeting on February 12 and 13 at Olympic Hall.[123]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
NMEStarStarStarStar[27]

Upon its release, Noeasy received positive reviews from music critics. Writing for Rolling Stone India, Divyansha Dongre said Stray Kids "keeps their identity intact as they reflect on hate directed towards their artistry", which is "centered around a powerful message of self-expression".[18] Tamar Herman from South China Morning Post said the album "offers a lot of different styles to suit listeners and finds its strength in the group's creativity and storytelling", and that "Stray Kids have grown with each release".[39] Writing for Pinkvilla, Ayushi Agrawal considered the album a "a book that can only be penned by Stray Kids" and said the album "reinstated their tag of 'self-producing idols' in a way that is above and beyond any expectations", and that it "reaffirms the group's self-made mighty footing in the music industry".[30] Ruby C writing for NME rated the album four stars out of five, and described the album as both claps of thunder and gradually subsiding storms, and "filled with depth, creative substance and a whole repertoire of 'noise' to boot".[27]

Chu Seung-hyun from Seoul Economy Daily wrote Noeasy is "full of unique bold and energetic appearance".[124] Crystal Bell of Teen Vogue described the album as "more than noise", and complimented the group, saying they were able to "perfect their ability to make even the quiet parts unabashedly loud, showing us how to live with the noise—not run away from it".[125]

Year-end lists

[edit]
Critic lists of Noeasy
Critic/Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Genius 50 Best Albums of 2021 5 [126]
PopCrush 25 Best Pop Albums of 2021 Placed [127]
Rolling Stone India 10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2021 1 [37]
South China Morning Post 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2021 5 [128]
Paste The 30 Greatest K-Pop Albums of All Time 10 [129]
Time The Best K-Pop Songs and Albums of 2021 Placed [130]
Select year-end rankings of the tracks from Noeasy
Critic/Publication Accolade Work Rank Ref.
Genius Korea 20 Best B-Sides of 2021 "Cheese" 12 [131]
Teen Vogue The 54 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 Placed [132]
Tonplein Best Songs of 2021 41 [133]
"Thunderous" 16
Billboard 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021: Critics' Picks 9 [134]
Bollywood Hungama 25 Korean Songs That Defined 2021 Placed [135]
Dazed The Best K-Pop Tracks of 2021 12 [136]
Spotify Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 25 [137]
Young Post 15 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 15 [138]
Rolling Stone India 21 Best Korean Music Videos of 2021 "Red Lights" 5 [139]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
List of awards and nominations received by Noeasy
Ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Gaon Chart Music Awards 2022 Album of the Year – 3rd Quarter Nominated [140]
Golden Disc Awards 2022 Best Album (Bonsang) Won [141]
Seoul Music Awards 2022 Main Award Nominated [142]
Popularity Award Nominated
K-wave Popularity Award Nominated

Commercial performance

[edit]

On August 17, 2021, it was reported pre-orders of Noeasy had surpassed 830,000 copies;[143] on the day of release, August 23, pre-orders had exceeded 930,000, breaking the group's previous record of 300,000 pre-orders for In Life.[144] According to Hanteo Chart, Noeasy sold 355,946 copies on the first day,[145] and 641,589 copies in the first week of release.[92]

Upon its release, Noeasy debuted and peaked at number one on the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth weeks of the South Korean Gaon Album Chart for the issue dates of August 22–28, and August 29–September 4, respectively,[146] becoming the group's fifth number-one album on the chart after Clé 1: Miroh, Clé: Levanter, Go Live, and In Life.[147] The album had sold 1,127,800 copies by the end of August,[148] making it the group's first million-selling album, and that of their label, JYP Entertainment.[149][150] It was also the sixth South Korean million-selling album of 2021.[a][151] All of the album's fourteen tracks also simultaneously entered the Gaon Download Chart for the first time, all becoming top-40 hits.[147] Noeasy received a million certification by Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) on October 7.[152] 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.[153]

In Japan, Noeasy peaked at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart,[154] and at number twenty-one on Billboard Japan Hot Albums.[155] In the United States, the album entered the Billboard Heatseekers Album at number four,[156] World Albums at number five,[157][158] Independent Albums at number thirty-eight,[159] and Top Current Album Sales at number sixty-nine[160] for the chart issue date of September 4, 2021.[90] Its tracks "Cheese", "Thunderous", "Domino", "Ssick", "The View", "Sorry, I Love You", "Red Lights", and "Wolfgang" simultaneously charted in the top 25 in the World Digital Song Sales.[89][161] The album entered several national charts in Australia (fourteen),[162][163] Austria (twelve),[164] Belgium (both Flanders (thirteen),[165] and Wallonia (five)[166]), Croatia (thirty-four),[167] Denmark (three),[168] Finland (five),[169] Germany (sixty-four),[170] Hungary (five),[171] Lithuania (twenty-two),[172] the Netherlands (eighteen),[173] Norway (twenty-seven),[174] Poland (six),[175] Spain (sixty-seven),[176] and Switzerland (ten).[177] It additionally entered the component charts of French Physical Albums (sixty-three),[178] Swedish Physical Albums (ten),[179] and the UK Album Downloads (twenty-six).[180]

Track listing

[edit]
Noeasy track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Cheese"
  • Bang Chan (3Racha)
  • Changbin (3Racha)
  • Han (3Racha)
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Versachoi
Versachoi3:02
2."Thunderous" (소리꾼)
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • HotSauce
  • HotSauce
  • Bang Chan
3:03
3."Domino"
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Versachoi
  • Versachoi
  • Bang Chan
3:19
4."Ssick" (씩)
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • ByHVN (153/Joombas)
  • ByHVN
  • Bang Chan
3:10
5."The View"
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Krysta Youngs
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Telykast
  • Krysta Youngs
  • Telykast
  • Bang Chan
3:22
6."Sorry, I Love You" (좋아해서 미안)Changbin
  • Changbin
  • Millionboy
  • Millionboy
  • Bang Chan
2:58
7."Silent Cry"
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Hong Ji-sang
Hong Ji-sang3:30
8."Secret Secret" (말할 수 없는 비밀)Han
JinbyJin3:30
9."Star Lost"
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Earattack
  • Callous
  • Earattack
  • DaviDior
  • DaviDior
  • Earattack
3:35
10."Red Lights" (강박; Bang Chan, Hyunjin)
  • Bang Chan
  • Hyunjin
  • Bang Chan
  • Hyunjin
  • Bang Chan
  • Versachoi
3:10
11."Surfin'" (Lee Know, Changbin, Felix)
  • Changbin
  • Lee Know
  • Felix
  • Changbin
  • Lee Know
  • Felix
  • Versachoi
Versachoi3:11
12."Gone Away" (Han, Seungmin, I.N)
  • Han
  • Seungmin
  • I.N
  • Han
  • Seungmin
  • I.N
  • Armadillo
  • Gump
  • Armadillo
  • Gump
4:01
13."Wolfgang"
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Versachoi
  • Versachoi
  • Bang Chan
3:11
14."Mixtape: Oh" (애)
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Bang Chan
  • Changbin
  • Han
  • Kobee
  • Holy M
  • Kobee
  • Holy M
3:33
Total length:46:35

Notes

  • "Mixtape: Oh" is stylized as "Mixtape : OH".
  • Track titles in Korean translation:
    • Track 2 "소리꾼" (Sori-kkun) means "singer" of Korean traditional music storytelling pansori, and a play with the Korean word "noise" (sori) and the suffix -kkun, an indicator that a thing is someone's profession or hobby.
    • Track 4 "씩" (Ssik) means "grin smile" and play with the word "sick".
    • Track 6 "좋아해서 미안" (Jo-ahaeseo Mi-an) means as same as the English title.
    • Track 8 "말할 수 없는 비밀" (Malhal Su Eomneun Bimil) means "a secret that can't be told".
    • Track 10 "강박" (Gangbak) means "compulsion" or "obsession".
    • Track 14 "애" (Ae) means "love" or "child".

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Musicians

  • Stray Kids
    • Bang Chan (3Racha) – lead vocals (except 11, 12), background vocals (5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14), lyrics (except 6, 8, 11, 12), composition (except 6, 8, 9, 11, 12), arrangement (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 13), instrumentation (3, 6)
    • Changbin (3Racha) – lead vocals (except 10, 12), background vocals (5, 7, 13, 14), lyrics (except 8, 10, 12), composition (except 8, 9, 10, 12)
    • Han (3Racha) – lead vocals (except 10, 11), background vocals (5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14), lyrics (except 6, 10, 11), composition (except 6, 9, 10, 11), vocal directing (8)
    • Lee Know – lead vocals (except 10, 12), background vocals (5, 7), lyrics (11), composition (11)
    • Hyunjin – lead vocals (except 11, 12), background vocals (5, 7), lyrics (10), composition (10)
    • Felix – lead vocals (except 10, 12), background vocals (5, 7, 14), lyrics (11), composition (11)
    • Seungmin – lead vocals (except 10, 11), background vocals (5, 7, 12), lyrics (12), composition (12)
    • I.N – lead vocals (except 10, 11), background vocals (5, 7), lyrics (12), composition (12)
  • Versachoi – composition (1, 3, 11, 13), arrangement (1, 3, 10, 11, 13), instrumentation (1, 3, 10, 11, 13)
  • HotSauce – composition (2), arrangement (2), keyboard (2), drum programming (2), computer programming (2)
  • ByHVN (153/Joombas) – composition (4), arrangement (4), keyboard (4), drum (4), bass (4)
  • Krysta Youngs – lyrics (5), composition (5), background vocals (5)
  • Telykast – composition (5), arrangement (5), instrumentation (5), drums (5), keyboard (5), computer programming (5)
  • Millionboy – composition (6), arrangement (6), instrumentation (6)
  • Hong Ji-sang – composition (7), arrangement (7), background vocals (7), electric guitar (7), bass (7), keyboard (7), computer programming (7)
  • JinbyJin – composition (8), arrangement (8), guitar (8), piano (8), synthesizer (8), computer programming (8), vocal directing (8)
  • Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker – composition (8)
  • Gabriel Brandes – composition (8)
  • Earattack – lyrics (9), composition (9), arrangement (9), background vocals (9), instrumentation (9)
  • Callous – lyrics (9)
  • DaviDior – composition (9), arrangement (9), instrumentation (9)
  • Nickko Young – guitar (10)
  • Armadillo – composition (12), arrangement (12), instrumentation (12)
  • Gump – composition (12), arrangement (12), instrumentation (12)
  • Jung So-ri – guitar (12)
  • Jeon Sang-min – piano (12)
  • Yi Sung-chan – bass (12)
  • Holy M – composition (14), arrangement (14), bass (14), computer programming (14)
  • Kobee – composition (14), arrangement (14), guitar (14), drum (14), computer programming (14)

Technical

  • KayOne Lee – digital editing (except 4, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14)
  • HotSauce – digital editing (2)
  • Lee Hwa-shin – digital editing (4)
  • Jung Yu-ra – digital editing (9, 12)
  • Woo Min-jung – digital editing (11)
  • Lee Sang-yeop – recording (1, 2, 6, 9, 14)
  • Lim Hong-jin – recording (2, 7, 10)
  • Goo Hye-jin – recording (3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13)
  • Eom Se-hee – recording (6)
  • Hong Ji-sang – recording (7)
  • Park Eun-jung – recording (7, 9), mixing (11)
  • Bang Chan (3Racha) – recording (10)
  • Choi Hye-jin – recording (11), mixing (12)
  • Yoon Won-kwon – mixing (1, 3)
  • Tony Maserati – mixing (2, 13)
  • Master Key – mixing (4, 6)
  • Jay-P Gu – mixing (5)
  • Shin Bong-won – mixing (7)
  • Lee Tae-sub – mixing (8, 9, 12, 14)
  • David K. Younghyun – mix engineering (2, 13)
  • Kang Seo-yeon – mix engineering (5)
  • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering (except 13)
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering (13)
  • Will Quinnell – mastering assistant (13)

Others

  • J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul" – executive producer
  • Jimmy Jeong – executive producer
  • Bang Jae-yeob – video production, director
  • Jung Min-hee (Mu: Creative) – photographer
  • Kim Chan (Prod) – photographer
  • Jay – hair/makeup director
  • Seo Ji-hye – hair/makeup director
  • Jung Min-ju – hair/makeup director
  • Jeon Ji-won – hair/makeup director
  • Park Jung-ah – style director
  • Lee So-young – style director
  • Ahn Yu-na – style director
  • Hyun Seung-jae (Zesstype) – album logo design
  • Laundry Office – album design

Locations

  • JYP Publishing (KOMCA) – original publishing (all), sub-publishing (5, 8)
  • 153/Joombas Music Publishing – original publishing (4)
  • Trevor Klaiman Music (BMI) – original publishing (5)
  • Kyle M T Music (ASCAP) – original publishing (5)
  • Linus AK Music (ASCAP) – original publishing (5)
  • Petal Rock Publishing (ASCAP) – original publishing (5)
  • Copyright Control – original publishing (6, 9, 12), sub-publishing (5)
  • EKKO Music Rights Europe (powered by CTGA) – original publishing (8), sub-publishing (8)
  • Fujipacific Music Korea Inc. – sub-publishing (5)
  • JYPE Studios – recording (except 10), mixing (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14)
  • Jisang's Studio – recording (7)
  • Channie's Room – recording (10)
  • Studio DDeepKick – mixing (1, 3)
  • Chapel Swing Studios (Valley Glen) – mixing (2, 13)
  • 821 Sound – mixing (4, 6), mastering (except 13)
  • Klang Studio – mixing (5)
  • Glab Studios – mixing (7)
  • Sterling Sound – mastering (13)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales figures for Noeasy
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan
Physical 		— 53,300[196]
Japan
Digital 		— 869[197]
South Korea (KMCA)[199] 2× Million 2,001,169[198]
United States — 16,100[200]

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for Noeasy
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various August 23, 2021
— JYP [24][201]
South Korea CD
  • Limited
  • standard
 [47][49]
August 30, 2021 Jewel case [46]

See also

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Noeasy

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Noeasy is the second studio album by the South Korean boy group , released on August 23, 2021, through as their first full-length project following their win on the survival show Kingdom: Legendary War earlier that year. The album comprises 14 tracks, all self-produced by the group members, with "Thunderous" serving as the , which incorporates traditional Korean elements into a hip-hop framework to convey the group's bold presence in the music industry. Drawing its title from the English phrase "No Easy," the record explores themes of perseverance and innovation through inventive and neologisms that challenge conventional structures, marking a significant evolution in ' artistic expression. Commercially, Noeasy achieved massive success, selling 641,589 copies in its first week according to Hanteo Chart data, nearly tripling the group's previous record set by their 2020 album In Life. By the end of its first month, it surpassed 1.1 million units on the Gaon Album Chart (now ), making the first act under to reach million-seller status and topping the chart in ; as of October 2025, it has exceeded 2 million copies sold on . Internationally, the album debuted at No. 1 on albums charts in 40 countries upon release and peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's World Albums chart in the United States. Critically, Noeasy received widespread acclaim for its dynamic production, lyrical depth, and the group's ability to blend high-energy hip-hop, EDM, and balladry into a cohesive "noisy" that reflects their unapologetic identity. Reviewers praised standout tracks like "Domino" for their infectious energy and "The View" for emotional introspection, with the album earning high ratings from specialized outlets and solidifying ' reputation as innovative self-producers in the genre.

Background

Development

Stray Kids announced their second studio album, Noeasy, on July 21, 2021, positioning it as their first major comeback following their win on the survival show Kingdom: Legendary War on June 3, 2021. The announcement came through a cinematic trailer released by , highlighting the group's intent to channel the momentum from Kingdom into a full-length project that built on their growing global profile. This victory had elevated their visibility, with performances on the show showcasing their self-produced style and stage presence to a broader audience. Recording sessions for Noeasy took place in the months immediately after Kingdom, allowing the group to refine their creative process amid heightened expectations. The album emphasized self-production as a core strength, extending the approach established in their debut full-length GO LIVE from 2020, where the members took greater control over songwriting and arrangement to define their unique sound. Influences from Kingdom were evident in the project's scale, as the competition had pushed the group to experiment with diverse genres and incorporate traditional Korean elements, fostering a more ambitious production framework. Primary production duties fell to 3RACHA—the sub-unit consisting of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han—who handled writing and producing the majority of the tracks, reinforcing Stray Kids' reputation as a self-producing idol group. Additional contributions came from JYP Entertainment's in-house producers, such as VERSACHOI and HotSauce, who collaborated on select songs to complement 3RACHA's vision without overshadowing the group's hands-on involvement. All eight members received credits across the album, underscoring a collective effort that solidified their creative autonomy post-Kingdom.

Concept

The album NOEASY embodies Stray Kids' artistic vision of transforming criticism into empowerment, particularly by reclaiming the label of "noise" often applied to their intense, genre-blending sound. The title itself is a deliberate portmanteau, combining "noisy"—a direct response to detractors who dismissed their music as mere cacophony—with "no easy," symbolizing the group's unyielding perseverance amid life's challenges and external pressures. As Bang Chan explained, the name reflects a resolve to "leave a loud impact" without being deterred by naysayers, positioning the album as an unapologetic declaration of their unique identity. At its core, NOEASY celebrates resilience and self-confidence, weaving themes of defiance against while embracing within the group's dynamic. This concept underscores ' evolution, highlighting their commitment to an "" style that fuses bold, experimental elements with emotional depth, as a means to assert authenticity in the face of industry expectations. Seungmin elaborated on this foundation, stating that the conveys " is not easy because of the naggers who tell us to do this and that, but we are , and we are not going to change because of them," emphasizing a narrative of steadfast growth and collective strength. The album's production, led by the in-house team 3RACHA, reinforces this vision through tracks that balance high-energy rebellion with introspective moments. Visually, the teasers amplify this thematic fusion of tradition and modernity, featuring motifs like village settings, historical palace backdrops, and silhouettes evoking —such as (goblin) figures with blue flames and red hanbok-inspired attire—to symbolize a rebellious reinterpretation of cultural roots. These elements represent ' maturation, marking NOEASY as their first full-length release following their victory on the survival show Kingdom: Legendary War in June 2021, which propelled them from contestants to chart-topping artists. Lee Know noted this milestone, describing it as "our first comeback after winning first place," underscoring the album's role in showcasing their refined teamwork and artistic independence.

Music and lyrics

Musical style

Noeasy encompasses a diverse array of genres, primarily rooted in hip-hop, EDM, pop, and rock, while incorporating elements of traditional Korean music such as and percussion. The album's sound is characterized by its cacophonous and thunderous intensity, blending modern electronic production with cultural influences to create a versatile palette that shifts from aggressive anthems to reflective ballads. This fusion is evident in tracks like "Thunderous," which merges brassy horns and controlled EDM beats with storytelling vocals, evoking the dramatic flair of traditional Korean performances. Production techniques on Noeasy heavily feature self-produced elements by the group's subunit 3RACHA, who incorporate heavy bass drops, industrial hip-hop beats, and layered vocals to amplify the album's dynamic energy. Synths and percussion drive the tracks, as seen in "Domino," where deep basslines pair with taepyeongso samples for a genre-twisting electronic assault, while drums and add rhythmic texture in lighter moments like "Surfin'." These methods emphasize bold, impactful sonics over subtlety, with industrial elements providing a gritty undercurrent that underscores the group's signature intensity. The album's sonic progression unfolds like a storm, beginning with high-energy, noise-infused openers such as "Cheese" and "Domino" that build relentless momentum through rapid tempo shifts and distorted sounds. It gradually eases into introspective ballads like "Sorry, I Love You" and "Secret Secret," where drum-led rhythms and emotive, melodic vocals offer a mellow contrast, creating a cohesive flow that mirrors emotional and resolution. Experimentation with is central to Noeasy's identity, transforming what critics once labeled "" into a deliberate strength through distorted audio effects, heavy percussion, and abrupt shifts that leave a lasting impression. This approach reinforces the album's theme of unapologetic boldness, with tracks employing unconventional sounds—like the "construction noise" rebuttal in "Thunderous"—to challenge norms and assert the group's unique auditory voice.

Lyrical themes

The album NOEASY explores central themes of self-empowerment and resilience in the face of adversity, with Stray Kids transforming criticisms of their music as mere "noise" into a symbol of unapologetic strength and impact. Bang Chan emphasized that the title itself, a play on "noisy" and "no easy," represents the group's determination to leave a "loud impact" on the world despite external pressures, reflecting broader introspection on the challenges of fame and authenticity in the K-pop industry. This motif of defiance against detractors recurs throughout, positioning the members as bold creators who prioritize genuine expression over commercial conformity, often drawing on modern youth struggles with judgment and self-doubt. Key songs illustrate these themes through vivid personal narratives. In "Thunderous," the group adopts the of sorikkun—traditional Korean singers known for powerful, resonant shouts (sori)—to declare their unyielding presence against "naggers" (jansorikkun), with lyrics like "Man I’m not sorry, I’m dirty / Keep on talking, we don’t play by the rules" serving as a bold clapback to critics who dismiss their sound. "CHEESE" shifts to a playful yet pointed party anthem, mocking detractors with lines such as "I love what you hate / Whatever you say, it’s all fun to me," embracing controversy as fuel for their creative freedom. Vulnerability emerges in tracks like "Sorry, I Love You," which delves into the pain of unrequited romance and emotional hesitation, capturing the turmoil of confessing feelings to a friend without risking the bond. Similarly, "Gone Away," a heartfelt co-written by members Han, Seungmin, and I.N., addresses themes of loss and personal growth, reflecting on the necessity of releasing a long-held crush to move forward, evoking a sense of bittersweet maturity. The album's narrative structure unfolds as a personal journey, front-loaded with defiant anthems like "Thunderous" and "CHEESE" that assert dominance and joy amid chaos, before transitioning into more introspective ballads such as "Sorry, I Love You" and "Gone Away," mirroring the emotional arc from confrontation to quiet reflection on love and healing. This progression underscores the pressures of fame while affirming growth through authenticity. Culturally, the lyrics incorporate Korean traditional elements, such as references to proverbs and folk performance styles like in "Thunderous," to emphasize resilience rooted in heritage, contrasting with contemporary battles against superficial expectations in .

Release and promotion

Album release

Noeasy was officially announced in July 2021, with promotional teasers commencing that month, including a cinematic trailer released on July 21. The full tracklist for the album was revealed on August 12, 2021. Ahead of its launch, Noeasy garnered over 930,000 pre-orders, marking the highest pre-order figure in JYP Entertainment's history. The album was released on August 23, 2021, through in and for international markets. Physical editions included standard versions A and B, each with an 84-page photobook, lyrics book, CD, sticker, folded poster, and multiple photocards; a limited edition featuring similar components plus additional posters; and eight individual jewel case versions dedicated to each group member, containing a 20-page photobook, photocards, and stickers. Digital versions were made available for download and streaming on platforms such as and . In its debut week, Noeasy sold 641,589 copies on the Hanteo Chart, nearly tripling the first-week sales of Stray Kids' previous full-length album.

Marketing and singles

The marketing for Stray Kids' second studio album Noeasy centered on building anticipation through a structured teaser schedule, emphasizing the group's bold and noisy identity. The comeback trailer, released on July 21, 2021, introduced the album's theme with chaotic, high-energy visuals that highlighted the members' dynamic presence and set the tone for the promotional campaign. Image teasers followed, featuring individual and group concept photos starting August 6, 2021, which showcased varied aesthetics from intense expressions to playful poses to engage fans visually. Fan engagement was amplified via the Bubble app, where members shared personal messages and behind-the-scenes updates during the pre-release period to foster direct interaction with supporters. Additionally, collaborations with brands like NACIFIC for skincare products tied into the album's rollout, offering limited-edition items such as photocard sets that aligned with Noeasy-themed merchandise. The , "Thunderous," served as the album's centerpiece, released alongside its on August 23, 2021, coinciding with the full album drop. The video incorporated village settings and traditional Korean elements fused with modern production, while the choreography featured powerful, synchronized movements that underscored the track's energetic hip-hop and EDM influences. There were no formal pre-release singles, but the promotional rollout included teaser unveilings of select tracks like "Wolfgang" during the group's comeback show on the same day, previewing its intense ahead of the album's tracklist reveal. Post-release, "The View" and "Domino" were promoted as secondary title tracks, receiving dedicated unveil videos and performance highlights to extend the album's visibility beyond the lead single. The "Thunderous" music video quickly gained traction, surpassing 100 million views on in 56 days, reflecting strong initial fan response and the campaign's effectiveness in driving global interest.

Live performances

Stray Kids premiered tracks from Noeasy during their dedicated comeback show on August 23, 2021, broadcast via Mnet, where the group performed "Thunderous," "The View," and "Wolfgang" in a high-production setting to mark the album's release. The lead single "Thunderous" dominated music show promotions from August 26 to September 12, 2021, with performances on major programs including M! Countdown on August 26, Show! Music Core on August 28, Inkigayo on August 29, Show Champion on September 1 and 8, Music Bank on September 3 and 10, M Countdown on September 2 and 9, and Inkigayo on September 5 and 12. These appearances culminated in six music show wins, highlighting the track's strong reception and the group's synchronized stage presence. The group brought Noeasy selections to special events, including at the SBS Unite On: Live Concert on November 6, 2021, as part of the ON:Hallyu Festival, where showcased "Thunderous" medleyed with "Sorry, I Love You" and "Back Door," marking the live debut of the emotional "Sorry, I Love You." A performance of "Thunderous" followed at the 2021 on December 17, delivered with an intro-linked setup alongside other top artists. Secondary tracks from the album also received spotlight moments, with "Domino" performed on on September 26, 2021, extending promotions beyond the title track. The for "Thunderous" stands out for its high-energy execution, blending traditional Korean influences with modern hip-hop elements, fan-directed interactions during key breaks, and intricate group formations that showcase the members' precision and stamina across promotions.

Critical reception

Reviews

Upon release, Noeasy received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its high energy, creative production, and genre versatility across hip-hop, EDM, and traditional Korean influences. NME awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as an "unapologetic reminder" filled with "depth [and] creative substance," highlighting how Stray Kids turned criticisms of their sound into a bold artistic statement. Teen Vogue commended the group's embrace of "noise music" as a direct response to detractors, noting that tracks like "CHEESE" and "Thunderous" transform perceived flaws into empowering anthems that blend brash confidence with emotional vulnerability. Some reviewers pointed out flaws in the album's structure and intensity. The praised the innovative industrial pop elements and noisy aesthetic as fun and creative. Aggregate scores reflected this favorable leaning, with an average of 80/100 on sites like Album of the Year based on professional critiques. Redbrick Music hailed Noeasy as a "jaw-dropping" showcase of charisma and maturity, marking ' evolution following their Kingdom: Legendary War victory with a more refined yet audacious sound.

Accolades

Noeasy received significant recognition following its release, including a win for Best Album (Bonsang) at the in 2022. The album was also nominated for Album of the Year – 3rd Quarter at the in 2022. The "Thunderous" achieved notable success on South Korean music programs, securing six wins between August and September 2021, including on , , Music Bank, Inkigayo, The Show, and Music Core. In terms of certifications, Noeasy earned a Gaon Million in October 2021 for surpassing 1 million units sold, marking the first JYP Entertainment album to achieve this milestone. Additionally, "Thunderous" received RIAA certification in August 2024 for 500,000 equivalent units in the United States. Noeasy and its tracks garnered nominations at other events, including categories at the 2021 Mubeat Global Choice Awards, where ultimately won Global Pick. The album was also nominated in several categories at the in 2022, such as Main Prize (Bonsang) and Worldwide Fans' Choice Top 10.

Commercial performance

Charts

Noeasy debuted at number one on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart, where it also topped the monthly ranking for August 2021. The album maintained strong domestic performance, ranking eighth on the Gaon year-end Album Chart for 2021 based on total sales. By late 2025, Noeasy had remained in the top 100 of the successor for over 200 weeks, demonstrating sustained popularity. All 14 tracks from the album charted on the Gaon Download Chart, with every song entering the top 40 during the week of September 4, 2021. Internationally, Noeasy achieved number one on the Top Albums chart in 40 countries upon release, including the , , , , , and . The album entered various national album charts in the top 20, reaching number 14 on 's Albums Chart, number 16 on Japan's , number 21 on Japan's Hot Albums chart, and number 5 on 's official albums chart. It also peaked at number 5 on the World Albums chart. The "Thunderous" performed notably on global rankings, debuting and peaking at number 3 on the chart.

Sales and certifications

Noeasy achieved remarkable sales upon its release, selling 641,589 copies in its first week according to Hanteo Chart data. In its first month, the album sold 1,127,800 copies on the Circle Chart (formerly Gaon Chart), becoming the first million-seller album from . By the end of , sales reached over 1.3 million units domestically. The album continued to perform strongly in subsequent years, surpassing 2 million cumulative copies sold by 2025. Noeasy received several certifications recognizing its commercial success. In 2021, it was certified Million by both the Gaon Chart and the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) for exceeding 1 million units shipped in . In November 2025, the Circle Chart awarded it a 2x Million for surpassing 2 million units. Internationally, while the full album did not receive , the "Thunderous" earned Gold status in 2024 for 500,000 units sold .

Track listing and credits

Track listing

The standard edition of Noeasy features 14 tracks with a total runtime of 46:35. There are no alternate editions or bonus tracks, and the digital release is identical to the physical formats. Songwriting credits are primarily attributed to 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han), with additional co-writing contributions from other group members and external collaborators such as .
No.TitleDuration
1"CHEESE"3:02
2"Thunderous" (소리꾼)3:03
3"Domino"3:19
4"Ssick" (씩)3:10
5"The View"3:22
6"Sorry, I Love You" (좋아해서 미안)2:58
7"Silent Cry"3:30
8"Secret Secret" (말할 수 없는 비밀)3:30
9"Star Lost"3:35
10"Red Lights" (강박)3:10
11"Surfin'"3:11
12"Gone Away"4:01
13""3:11
14"Mixtape: Oh" (애)3:33

Personnel

The production of Noeasy was primarily handled by 3RACHA, the in-house production team consisting of Stray Kids members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, who served as producers, composers, and arrangers on the majority of the album's tracks. Additional producers included HotSauce on "Thunderous," and Gump on tracks such as "Sorry, I Love You," and VERSACHOI on "CHEESE." Other notable contributors to composition and arrangement were earattack on "Thunderous" and various songwriters like ByHVN, Millionboy, and Hong Jisang across select songs. All eight members—Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, , Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N—provided vocals, including lead and background parts on every track, with Bang Chan contributing lead vocals to most except "The View" and "Gone Away." Background vocals were also supported by the group's vocal subunit Vocalracha (Seungmin and I.N), alongside additional session vocalists such as Krysta Youngs on several tracks. Technical personnel included multiple mixing engineers, such as Gu Jongpil at KLANG Studio for tracks like "Sorry, I Love You," David K. Younghyun for "Thunderous," and Shin Bong-won for "Silent Cry," with engineering assistance from Kang Sun-young and others at JYP Studios. Mastering was primarily handled by Kwon Nam-woo at 821 Sound Mastering for all tracks except "Wolfgang," which was mastered by at Sterling Sound.
RoleKey Personnel
Executive ProducerJ.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"
Producers/Composers/Arrangers3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, Han); HotSauce, VERSACHOI, , Gump, earattack, ByHVN, Millionboy, Hong Jisang
Lead & Background Vocals (Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, I.N); Vocalracha (Seungmin, I.N); Krysta Youngs (session)
Mixing EngineersGu Jongpil, David K. Younghyun, Shin Bong-won, Yoon Won-kwon, MasterKey, Choi Hye-jin
Mastering EngineersKwon Nam-woo (most tracks); ("")
Recording EngineersGu Hye-jin, Lee Sang-yup, Im Hong-jin (JYP Studios)

References

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  32. https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-stray-kids-thunderous-takes-first-music-show-win-show-champion
  33. https://www.soompi.com/article/1504289wpp/watch-performances-from-the-2021-kbs-song-festival
  34. https://www.soompi.com/article/1490316wpp/lee-mujin-takes-4th-win-and-triple-crown-for-traffic-light-on-inkigayo
  35. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/stray-kids-noeasy-album-review
  36. https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3146322/review-stray-kids-album-noeasy-noisy-fun-and-crowning-glory
  37. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/401408-stray-kids-noeasy.php
  38. https://www.redbrick.me/album-review-stray-kids-noeasy/
  39. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2022/01/winners-from-the-2022-golden-disc-awards
  40. https://meaww.com/gaon-chart-music-awards-2022-air-date-how-to-vote-and-nominees-for-k-pop-award-show
  41. https://thehoneypop.com/2022/03/29/key-moments-that-led-stray-kids-to-top-the-billboard-200-chart-with-oddinary/
  42. https://www.soompi.com/article/1486434wpp/stray-kids-noeasy-becomes-1st-million-seller-album-from-jyp-entertainment
  43. https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/08/19/stray-kids-are-racking-up-gold-records-in-america/
  44. https://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/304834/20220217/2021-mubeat-awards-winners-blackpink-lisa-seventeen-stray-kids-ive.htm
  45. https://kprofiles.com/stray-kids-awards-history/
  46. https://www.koreaboo.com/lists/kpop-companies-alone-made-nearly-album-sales-in-2021/
  47. https://www.soompi.com/article/1790404wpp/stray-kids-ive-twice-meovv-day6-idntt-plave-woodz-qwer-and-more-earn-circle-million-and-platinum-certifications
  48. https://twitter.com/StrayKidsGlobal/status/1445921677087444996
  49. https://koreansalestwt.blogspot.com/2020/10/stray-kids.html
  50. https://www.allkpop.com/article/2025/11/stray-kids-achieve-new-circle-chart-certifications-with-karma-and-noeasy
  51. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/stray-kids/noeasy/
  52. https://www.discogs.com/release/21136006-Stray-Kids-Noeasy
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