Most Japanese releases from K-pop acts don’t really attempt to engage with the Japanese market beyond a surface level, making it exciting when we get an international duet or track written by J-pop talent. Stray Kids’ Social Path pairs the group with theme-song-queen and overall epic rocker LiSA.
Social Path feels like a nod back toward Stray Kids’ debut era, placing rock influences front and center and anchoring its appeal with more sung melody than the group has embraced over the past few years. It’s a downright straightforward track, and that’s kind of refreshing. LiSA doesn’t appear until the second half of each chorus, making her feel a bit tacked on when they could’ve featured her as a more active collaborator. But when you’ve already got eight guys in your group, I guess there’s not much room for extra voices.
Overall, Social Path will get your blood pumping. Its mix of guitars and skittering percussion craft strong energy that remains consistent throughout. The melodies in the chorus feel a bit rote, especially when compared to Japan’s many examples of fantastic, charge-you-up rock anthems. But it’s fun to hear Stray Kids return to this sonic guise.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
The song is fine, LiSA sounds great as always, though. But DAMN, Stray Kids’ team must be great, between LiSA and Tiger JK, they have really been working with legends as of late.
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Ooh I really like this song! The music is really good and they all sound great! I gotta say I.N’s voice has been getting me everytime recently – like his vocal tone is pretty unique amongst SKZ and recently I feel there’s something special about it for me because his parts hit me so hard.
I agree that Lisa kinda does seem to be tacked on to the song when it could have been an all SKZ song too. I love Lisa’s voice really though I think mixing her particular sharp and clear tone with SKZ’s voices doesn’t exactly come that easily – still it was pretty cool and I really liked the final chorus part with her singing along with them!
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Did you see IN on Lee Mujin’s show? Oh wow. So impressive.
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I almost forgot that SKZ once started with rock. This is actually great. I like that Changbin starts the song. He might be my favorite member. Oh no…not that feeling of picking a bias…nonono…I was past this.
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Story of Stay’s life
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Lisa’s voice really did this song wonders. The lyrics really hit hard too, Chan wrote them apparently based on his past. “Gave up my youth for my future. I just want to rise up stronger.”
The part before the last chorus is so hype
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Like the whole song I was convinced he wrote the lyrics alone. I was actually lowkey disappointed how many people wrote it because it sounds so incredibly like him. Did they have an interview about the writing process?
To me it feels like LiSA’s voice ties the whole thing together if I had to visually represent this song I’d draw black and grey ribbons mixed together, and a couple of dark green spike balls, all going towards the same direction and her voice is like a neon pink ribbon peaking through every once in a while tying the whole thing together. It’s a hyper energetic song but it would get boring really fast if it wasn’t for the massive contrast between Felix’ and LiSA’s voice.
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3racha wrote it and YOHEI translated the parts that are Japanese.
But it’s safe to say Chan wrote all the English parts, so the hook, 2nd verse, prechorus and chorus and Felix’s bridge
My guess is Changbin wrote the rap and Han wrote his bridge, which they both would’ve written originally in Korean
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It’s actually a little emotional. Except for Top, the rest of their Japanese singles are so dull. Tbh, I can still have a little fun with All In but the rest is unbearable, I only listen to them on the release date and seal them up.
I think they should let their vocal lines shine in the pre-chorus and chorus. It’s time for them to stop shouting tersely or lower their voices broodingly with their choruses being chopped up.
I rate this post 8.75 (bias). I still wish the chorus would have been 10~15 seconds longer with the addition of more banger instruments and effects.
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Lisa voice really adds needed contrast to this song
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Is there any GenXer here who could tell me what 60s or 70s song LiSa’s opening lines sounds so similar with? It’s been playing on a loop in my head but I can’t remember it. So frustrating.
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GenXer here. I gave it a go. There is something familiar there but it’s not coming to me though you’ll have to go to the Boomers for the 60ies. GenX is entrenched most in the late 70ies and 80ies music or that’s just me.
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exactly the same for me if you find tell me Please!!!!! Help me!!!;)
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I really like this! It has shades of a more major key, electro-rock version of Grrr, which is one of my old favourites. I *love* that the closest thing this song has to a typical kpop high note is Han singing the bridge – he’s got such a fantastic voice and he does that gritty edge so well, he reminds me so much of Young K in the best way possible.
I also really enjoy the Aussie accents coming through in the English group parts!
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Stray kids are doing excellent and they have been doing collaboration since the last months, I don’t see what is late about? I am glad they spoil us stays
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