STAYC return with first full album Metamorphic and title Cheeky Icy Thang.
STAYC are back! I’m sure you guys know that STAYC are one of my favourite girl groups and I’ve immensely enjoyed their previous releases, even the more bubble-pop ones which were so fun. Online discourse has led me to notice I’m not the only one who thinks their new title Cheeky Icy Thang sounds like a younger sibling of their RUN2U which can only be a good thing and a partial comeback to that era of their career. I know some people aren’t the biggest fan of bubbly, youthful tracks but I’ve really loved both Teddy Bear and Bubble so I’m excited to see how STAYC will switch things up with this new track. Let’s review!
Cheeky Icy Thang definitely has that RUN2U energy right from the very start, mostly because of that interesting instrumental during the verses. It’s like they’re bringing back that era but bringing a different kind of atmosphere to the table as well – making it a bit more summery but also mature. I didn’t expect the verses to be so low on melody and with a lot of sing-talking, but I think my biggest surprise is the two-part chorus which caught me off guard the first time I heard it. The first part is more on the attitude side of things and isn’t my favourite thing currently (but it will probably grow on me) whereas the second section is full of melody and vocals and does a great thing – lifts the song up into a summer vibe after the laid-back verses. I think Cheeky Icy Thang could’ve benefited a bit from a fuller chorus in general, a fully sung one, or a stronger instrumental just to elevate the energy of the song which is definitely there but painfully simmering underneath the surface. Cheeky Icy Thang is catchy, though, and brings the recognizable STAYC sound and style but in a new way. I think the main hook is catchy as well (although I’m not sure what Cheeky Icy Thang actually means) and I do want to go back to it this month. The music video is so fun, fresh and perfect for summer. I love the aesthetic they have in their music videos, the choreography as well as the styling in this era. It just screams summer! Cheeky Icy Thang might not be my favourite STAYC song but it’s a solid one and one I’ll go back to.
Now, what’s really important is that this is a full album! So many new songs and I’m just so overall full of joy at this. The b-sides are so good and I’d even dare say that there are a few tracks that I’d totally see as title tracks instead of Cheeky Icy Thang, such as the amazingly fun 1 Thing. Am I the only one who thinks this song gives off Britney Spears vibes? It’s so good and the chorus is so catchy and upbeat. I’d totally love to see a video for this song as it’s musically colourful in all the right places. So fun! Definitely make sure to check it out. The new album also offers us some solos and some sub-unit tracks which I was very interested in checking out, especially Isa’s Roses because that’s my girl! However, I have to say that Sumin and Yoon’s Fakin’ has been such a great surprise for me because it sounds so quintessentially STAYC. This is a track you’d hear and think oh, that’s STAYC for sure, and it brings these lovely nostalgic vibes with it. There are two additional songs that really bring that unique STAYC sound and those are Flexing on My Ex and Twenty – both reminding me a bit of my favourite STAYC song Young Luv.
Twenty is so criminally short and I’m so sad because this is by far my favourite b-side on the album. It has an emotional, laid-back energy to it but then the chorus kicks in and the melody just enchants me. It reminds me so much of some older STAYC b-sides and brings such a unique wave of nostalgia into my earphones. I’d definitely recommend checking the whole full album as I’m sure there’s a song for absolutely everyone there but Twenty is the one for me right now. A no-skip album for sure – STAYC have really delivered AOTY with this one.
STAYC girls, we’re going down this summer!