A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
There are at least three songs on the new Stray Kids album I prefer to the title. This is a relatively rare feat and just crystallizes the fact that I prefer when the group focuses on fleshed-out musical ideas that feel consistent from beginning to end. Both the pop rock of sub-unit track Can’t Stop and the EDM-fueled, 1Take/TAK-produced Give Me Your TMI were “buried treasure” candidates, but I find myself more charmed by the goofy Super Board.
This summer, I highlighted the equally sound-effect-heavy Free Fall from ITZY. I’d put these two songs in the same category. Yes, they’re gimmicky. But, they’re also focused. They’re not constantly trying to grab your attention. They simply lay out their groove and trust you to follow along.
In Super Board’s case, the groove comes courtesy of a nostalgic rap-rock throwdown. The more I listen to Stray Kids’ music, the more their verses do nothing for me (enough with the “pings,” guys!). But, I’m in love with the big rock drums and rugged electronic textures that fuel Super Board. The production gives the guys plenty of momentum to work with. And though the chorus is as simple as it gets, the track makes the most of this catchy exclamation. Much of Super Board sounds as if it’s swerving here and there, giving the song a tactile sense of movement that pulls you in and heightens the overall concept. It would have made a fun title track.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Can’t Stop is so good, though. Would’ve been my personal pick. I have it at a 9 and I can see it growing on me.
This one is alright, but yeah, mid 8s seems about right.
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Those three were also my favorites 🙂
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But I cannot even believe this was compared to Free Fall. I really think that is a terrible song and I am shocked it was given an 8.5; I can barely listen to it.
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I expected a lot of the beat at the end of the first trailer, because it gave me Benny Benassi vibes, so I was disappointed when it turned to be mainly underlined at the very beginning of the song, but it still a fun, Skz goofy song (I had a major Block B nostalgia after listening to this album on a side note…)
I’m getting used to the underwhelming title track now, and try to think of it as a cunning twist of the universe that gets people to go listen to bsides and full albums, and JYP ent seems to be pushing for Chill, Super Board and Give me your TMI with the trailers and all. Based on the previous comeback, I thought the Chill mv would be out today then Super Board five days after then TMI in 10 very long days, but that makes for a looooong wait…
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TMI would have been my buried treasure for sure; I love that breakdown towards the end. Super Board is actually near the bottom for me– just too repetitive for my tastes. But I knew you’d like “Can’t Stop.” Always happy to hear more of that bright pop-rock sound 🙂
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The b-sides are way more consistent than I’m used to hearing from SKZ and TMI/Can’t stop are also two of my favorites. Can’t Stop and the bright pop-rock sound in general really suit their vocalists :)) I’m also enjoying Taste and Chill more than I expected to just based on what I thought of them earlier.
This one, though?? I got a laugh out of it on first listen because of the sound effects. It’s too repetitive for me to see myself returning often.
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oh I expected another song in maxident for the buried treasure but cool
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Seems like Super board for a buried treasure isn’t super popular overall… I’ve been loving it so thanks for the validation (also agreed with the TMI standout). The instrumental is soo satisfying not just in the intro people keep mentioning but the verses and chorus also (giving 80s vibes). The rapping fits it perfectly (gotta love the all over the place-ness of Han’s 2nd verse).
The subunit track Taste though—the atmosphere is perfect (reserved instru in the verses + floating sensation) and idk the terminology but the melody in a vaguely music theory related way is extremely addicting. Melancholic is the word maybe. Also shout out to Lee Know for vocal improvement
As a long time lurker just want to say I love this website’s analytical take on kpop 😀
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Agreeeeee
I love this 😭😭😭
I don’t like Case 143 … Well, I don’t like the chorus
I wish this one for the title track or at least they gonna promote this after the Case 143
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