Stray Kids’ ATE: Every Song Ranked

An energetic hip-hop track that embodies the group’s signature sound, “JJAM” is dynamic and features clever lyrics that add a personal touch that fans will appreciate, like the heartfelt cry to member Lee Know in the last line of the bridge, “I know, you know, Lee Know!” Don’t miss the moment when Seungmin and IN (aka Vocalracha) harmonize to close out the second verse.

“JJAM” isn’t ranked lower because it’s not a bad song by any means, but it doesn’t quite compete with the same level of experimentation as the others. ATE This doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the album, but rather highlights the band’s ability to combine consistency and innovation across their albums.

An inspiring, all-English track composed by members Bang Chan and Felix, “Runners” touches on relatable themes of perseverance and self-belief. The song transitions from Changbin’s rap, “Cybernetic system, yeah, I felt like a machine,” to Seungmin and Lee Know’s bold statements, “I know I’m becoming/ GOAT, I’m mind-blowing, let me show the world/ I feel angry,” demonstrating the group’s diverse desires. The euphoric pre-chorus nearly overshadows the entire track thanks to Hyunjin’s emotional texture as he delivers lines like, “Deeper and deeper, I’m thinking, I’m crying/ Too many thoughts in my head, I gotta let it go,” showcasing a beautiful rawness that makes the line particularly perfect for Hyunjin but can resonate with anyone who listens to it.

Reminiscent of the band’s best hype tracks like “Victory Song” or “Hall of Fame,” opening track “MOUNTAINS” opens ATE on an epic tone with IN and Seungmin’s roaring vocals set against a backdrop of pounding percussion. Written and composed by Bang Chan, Changbin, and 3RACHA’s Han, the track showcases Stray Kids’ signature energetic style while delivering introspective lyrics about overcoming obstacles: “Mountains, mountains, I woke up on the mountains/ No one stops me, I walk like a titan,” Changbin spits. While “Mountains” certainly stays within the group’s comfort zone, its anthemic quality makes it a standout track and the perfect opening song for their upcoming world tour.

With seductive lyrics about the pleasure of a fling without the pressures of love, “I Like It” is not only another new thematic avenue explored by Stray Kids, but rather unique for K-pop in general. In an industry where songs about love and romance dominate, SKZ’s take on more traditional Top 40 pop on a K-pop track is rare but refreshing—and one wonders if this is a track IN was referring to when he said, “I hope you don’t get tricked.” Also surprised by the things that are going to happen.

Lyrics like “Let’s not be official, we can keep the ‘you and me’” and “I like that I love you, but I don’t want to love you” highlight the song’s playful attitude, while Seungmin’s warm vocals and Han’s dynamic raps add significant depth to the performance. While allowing Stray Kids to push boundaries and explore unconventional themes, “I Like It” should also help the group reach new audiences.

Perhaps the most unexpected track from Stray Kids’ latest album, “Twilight,” blends jazz and bossa nova sounds for a refreshing change from the high-energy ATE EP. Written entirely by Han, known for his R&B influence, the song adds a soulful touch, highlighting his versatility as a songwriter and producer. With its lyrics written entirely in Korean (a stark difference for SKZ music in general, but especially after following the all-English track “Runners” in ATE(Stray Kids’ tracklist), “Twilight” is a calming contrast to what is generally expected from Stray Kids and should become a key track to reach fans and new listeners alike.

A song that acts as both a self-referential anthem to uplift the group while resonating universally, “Stray Kids” is a bold and special statement. The track allows them to showcase their self-worth (on lyrics like Felix’s “So proud of myself / Never doubt who we are”) and reflects the pride and ambition of their musical journey (“We do what we wanna do / The message through our music,” sings IN).

“Stray Kids” also includes plenty of references to their previous songs (including Stray Kids’ very first “Hellevator” as well as fan favorites like “Miroh” and “Lonely St.”) and other words that longtime STAYs are familiar with to create a song with a vibrant tapestry of K-pop history. Stray Kids’ sophisticated style of blending personal and collective narratives into such an anthem makes for an even more powerful song. — which is not something many artists can achieve.

The most remarkable piece of ATE“Chk Chk Boom” sees Stray Kids bring unexpected Latin influences to their high-energy hitmaking style, a true showcase of the group’s ability to be extremely musically versatile while remaining true to the message of the musicians they were from the beginning.

Written entirely by Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han for 3RACHA, “Chk Chk Boom” and its elements of Latin hip-hop and reggaeton are refreshing in SKZ’s sonic universe, but still echo Stray Kids’ introspective and insightful lyrics. Changbin’s raps feature several standout lines about being “fed up with this life/It’s normal” and declares, “I own my goal.” Seungmin offers inspiration through the lyrics, “Take down my goals one by one/I shoot them with a rifle,” while Han tells listeners, “I’m not a changed man.”

There are even some unexpected and cheeky lines like “Filling up my truck, yeah you want that ride/ Hit you like a truck, I’mma make you fly,” first sung by Bang Chan and then by Seungmin on the second pre-chorus. Another fun surprise is the integration of Spanish into the Korean and English K-pop mix, but still remaining entirely Stray Kids with lines like “Lobos, we can’t stop chasing,” with Wolves to be wolves in Spanish and recalls how the group previously compared their unity and determination to a pack of wolves in 2021’s “WOLFGANG.”

Beyond the musical, lyrical and thematic triumphs, “Chk Chk Boom” gets additional points, propelling it to No. 1 on this chart since ATE The EP also includes a “Festival Version.” This means that Stray Kids will undoubtedly continue their career as a festival headliner, as they have an epic year playing Lollapalooza in Chicago, BST Hyde Park in London, and I Days in Milan. It also confirms that Stray Kids’ reign at the top of the charts isn’t stopping anytime soon after breaking records and becoming the first group to have their first five chart entries debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.