STAYC - RUN2U
STAYC has very quickly proven themselves to be the dark horse of 4th generation K-pop. They are infamously backed up by producer duo Black-Eyed Pilseung (BEP), whose own jump into a new era of production has generally benefited STAYC in standing out in the current oversaturation of K-pop. Just take a listen to 'Dumhdurum' and 'Dilemma' by Apink, or even 'Stereotype' by STAYC, and it's obvious why their music is so popular. BEP's signature sound has a very eccentric fusion of elegance with teen-crush, and the overall product is packaged with a range of eye-catching, peculiar electronic synths. The end result is a subdued, yet captivating song. STAYC's own 2021 hit 'ASAP' is the perfect example of this. With these unique offerings complemented by a range of standout performers, and a hefty budget, STAYC has rapidly risen through the ranks of modern K-pop groups.
Their recent comeback Young-Luv.com takes this concept on a more sophisticated, R&B-heavy spin, but without squandering their signature whimsicality. "RUN2U" is probably STAYC's simplest title track yet, but within that simplicity, there is much to be appreciated. The song immediately hooks in the listener with an ethereal, engine-speeding-like melody of synths and percussion (it's a weird description, I know, but it fits when you listen to it!).
This is followed by a cheeky verse by rapper J. I particularly love this section of the song because the progression of the melody feels so nostalgic and satisfying. But immediately after establishing familiar ground, vocalist Sieun embarks on a disorienting verse that quickly propels the song onto its main playing field. A prancing pre-chorus then climaxes into the chorus... which is a beat drop? Beat drops more often than not feel like a dull answer to a chorus, but I'll admit that the use of an oddly carnivalesque synth really helps subvert this stereotype. It's a classic BEP move. The chorus doesn't seem like a lazy move-- instead, it actually compliments the overall lightness of the song quite well. With its combination of melodic R&B and eccentric instrumentation, RUN2U has to be my favorite STAYC title track yet. The members all embody the style extremely well too. I feel as though the song really showcases how there seems to be a sense of experience surrounding these girls now.
RUN2U is complex in all of its small details, but it's a wonder how so electronic of a production manages to stay so soft. If the current trend of K-pop is hip hop and experimentalism, then I think this is the unique experimental quality, that is, quirky sounds and subtlety, that STAYC uses in defining themselves from the others. While it may not be for everyone, it sure is well-produced and witty. I'm looking forward to what more they have to offer in the future!
