.png)
October 1, 2024
GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...
Read more.png)
October 1, 2024
When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...
Read more.png)
September 21, 2024
Read more.png)
September 20, 2024
One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...
Read more.png)
September 20, 2024
Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...
Read more
September 20, 2024
When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...
Read more.png)
September 19, 2024
For many aspiring musicians, the dream of creating a professional-quality home studio seems out of reach due to costs and space constraints. However, with the right strategies and tools, it's...
Read more.png)
September 18, 2024
Collaborating on music remotely has become more common, but as you’ve experienced, it can be a challenge to get it right. Audio latency, control sensitivity, and lack of real-time feedback are...
Read more.png)
September 18, 2024
In today’s digital age, building a loyal fanbase is essential for musicians to thrive. Social media platforms have become powerful tools for connecting directly with fans, sharing music, and...
Read more.png)
September 18, 2024
As a songwriter, it can be frustrating to have melodies or lyrics in your head but no way to bring them to life without instrumental skills. Thankfully, with modern technology, there are apps and...
Read more.png)
September 18, 2024
Creating music often feels like an intricate puzzle. You might have a melody that you love, but when it comes to pairing it with chords, you feel stuck. If you're in this situation, you're not alone.
Read more.png)
September 18, 2024
As an indie musician, creating professional music while sticking to a budget can be challenging. You might not have the resources to afford high-end software or pay for expensive marketing...
Read more
Photo: @Stray_Kids on Twitter
Dare I say its, EXTRAODDINARY?
Stray Kids have returned with the release of their new mini-album, ODDINARY – a collection of seven songs that proclaim the message of embracing all of the things that make us unique, despite how odd we may think they are.
Co-produced and co-written by Stray Kids’ 3RACHA (Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han), the album definitely feels more mature than their previous hits and you can hear how their level of technique has enhanced over the years. Changbin explains, “If we focused on Stray Kids' explosive energy in our music so far, this time we have this controlled beauty and relaxation on top of that energy.” While a lot of their music in the past has centred around high energy beats and electric vocals, the group take on a different approach working on their vocal control and finding the beauty in simplicity, making this album truly groundbreaking.
Photo: JYP Entertainment, Stray Kids ＜ODDINARY＞ UNVEIL : TRACK 1 "거미줄"
“VENOM” is a definite standout from the album. It’s simple, catchy, and the build-up toward the anti-drop of Felix’s hook is fire. What truly makes this song special however is Hyunjin and Han’s rapping, which we can tell has only gotten better over the years.
“MANIAC” is a strong title track, and we can see why it was chosen as such. It has a simple yet catchy hook that’s perfect for huge crowds – just in time for their upcoming world tour.
“Charmer” makes us feel like we’re in those movies where the main character walks into a club and everyone’s hot and having a good time. It radiates confidence and is perfect for when you want to feel like the hottest in the room. Stray Kids solidifies their place in the industry and they’re only going up from here.
Another standout from the album is “FREEZE”. Changbin starts the track off strong with his verse that talks about living life by your own rules without caring about what others may think. The breakdown of the song has a hyperpop feel to it that’s been on the rise for the past few years, especially on the social media platform, TikTok.
The final three songs differ from the previous as they each have their own unique sound. “Lonely St.” is an alternative pop and hip-hop ballad about going through life on your own path and not following the crowd.
“Waiting For Us” and “Muddy Water” are the songs that truly let each of the boys shine and show off the talents they’ve been working on for years. “Waiting For Us” features Bang Chan, Lee Know, Seungmin, and I.N., each of them showcasing just how much they’ve worked on and developed their voices over the years. “Muddy Water” is reminiscent of 90s to early 2000s hip-hop, while also using a retro piano sample that carries along through the song.
ODDINARY features pretty different sounding songs than we’re used to from Stray Kids, but I think that the entire point of this album. They’ve truly shown just how adaptable their sound is and it’s refreshing to see a group moving away from the norm.
