Despite being an early supporter, somewhere along the line Stray Kids’ music began to lose me. It’s a frustration I feel with many of their contemporaries and I’m eagerly awaiting the song or album that brings me back. Unfortunately, new single Lalalala moves in the opposite direction.
Lalalala blusters along in true Stray Kids fashion, delivering a steady stream of aggressively performed rap interspersed by off-kilter breakdowns that shift energy and direction. The song experiments with structure, pulling us through contrasting moments that give it a maze-like sense of disorientation. Choruses don’t always come when you expect them and instrumental through-lines occasionally pause in favor of muted symphonic elements.
But here’s the thing: this bombastic energy can’t compensate for Lalalala‘s lack of memorable hooks. Its chorus basically amounts to the guys shouting at us in repetitive rhythm, bolstered by a few distorted “la la la’s” to add a sense of stadium-ready chant-along heft. I guess the hint was in the song’s title all along. The sound “lalalala” doesn’t inspire much of anything, and this track feels like a placeholder between better Stray Kids songs. Its intensity is high and there are some interesting ideas in the production, but under all the showmanship it’s one of their slightest Korean singles.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Omg! The main hook of the song is the POKEMON BATTLE BGM!!!!!!!!
I can’t unhear it but I love this so much
LikeLiked by 6 people
I do too, it’s a shame there’s negativity here
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is legit disappointing. I don’t know why we are trying to recreate Gods Menu from the millionth time in a row when we have hits like Miroh and Side Effects
8/10 for me (7, 7, 8, 10)
LikeLiked by 4 people
It surprises me that Gods Menu was the song that blew them up so much. It’s fine, I guess, but Miroh is right there as a testament to how good SKZ’s “noise” discography can get!
I agree with you, I know it’s not like their recent singles all sound the same of course but for me there’s a very obvious kind of pattern that they seem to follow which seems to be going all in on the Gods Menu kind of sound, which is a shame.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I could hear the Gods Menu inspiration in it so I hear where you are coming from
LikeLike
Where is the hook?
This song is desperate need of some work.
I really like the overall feel of the song but there’s so many issues with pacing or buildup or what you wanna call it.
This could’ve done with another month on the production table.
LikeLiked by 1 person
it was supposed to relase with 5 star as a b-side so you arent wrong
LikeLike
That explains so much.
This is a lot of hype that has nowhere to go.
Is this a pre-release or their actual TT?
LikeLiked by 1 person
their tt
LikeLike
Hook? Don’t you feel like you’re facing down the Elite 4 after a grueling climb through Victory Road?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The song isn’t desperate, if you actually knew how music is made you’d actually be correct
LikeLike
Fangirl shush
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm idk how to feel about this song. I like the piano and certain parts but it is lacking in a few ways. I’m not sure id listen to this over their many other, much better title tracks. However, this is the type of song thats gonna be incredible and full of energy for their concerts. Rating is a bit low imo, id give this a solid 7.75.
LikeLike
Hate to ask, but are you going to do a review of Apoki’s new song? I think you might like it. I thought she might get lost between all the acts releasing music today.
LikeLike
Joining this. Are you by any chance going to review Yedam’s new song?
LikeLike
Stray Kids seem to be walking the same path as NCT: overproduction, overpromotion, overtasking and overcutting&pasting of their usual one-and-only music template.
It’s clear and obvious that when you deliver this tons of material in just a few months you have to leave something behind, and in their case (and in NCT’s as well) it’s likewise clear and obvious what it is.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This song did nothing for me. Song and MV visual-wise, it missed to make anything interesting following up S-Class. I actually thought it was one of their bsides with an MV that they usually do. The song is all about letting it rock but they decided to make a separate Rock vers. of the song? I hope 3racha listens to their discography for the past two years right after the new Year so they can reassess. Because there’s no way they aint tired of this type of music.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It really does feel like a b-side! I thought S-Class was still in the same range of songs, but taking a step away from the same old… nope, they’re right back into it.
LikeLike
I love their maximalist approach. They take so much obvious joy in what they do, which is appropriate for a song about using music to transcend pain. They are a juggernaut and this anthem is going to rock stadiums around the world.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Funny you thought the structure was maze-like, I feel this is the most cohesive title of skz in a while, and also the most constrained one. The main focus for me is the rythm carry you throughout the song, it’s nice to listen to without thinking about it (and yes nice to listen when you dont want any melody stuck in your head).
Definitely not a showstopper thought. I loved the roller coster that was SClass, but this is just OK.
Lalalala would have been more enjoyable if it wasn’t the last in a serie of high energy title tracks that were more interesting. The rock version is more fun only because of the change of genre in skz discography. As a rock song it’s pretty boring (reminds me of the worst xdinary heroes can offer…)
LikeLiked by 3 people
Turning the volume up to 11 does not compensate for the lack of an actual song.
LikeLiked by 2 people
A much more easier listening experience than S-class . I actually thought they are doing a rock genre so I was excited to hear how they will play with that concept but I guess that will stay a wish for another time . It has nice melodic element I like but it feels like a performance song . I need Stray Kids to make title tracks that need a performance stage to fully enjoy it because I feel like I cannot listen to it without the Mv or music stages because that energy their trying to express doesn’t really get across me through audio .
Other than that I think they did well this time
LikeLiked by 3 people
Correction :
I need Stray Kids to make title tracks that do not need a stage performance to fully enjoy it
LikeLike
No its necessary, have you never heard of music core or boom? Well there’s no need for stray kids spoil people right?
LikeLike
But if I can’t enjoy a song without a video playing in front of me , then what’s the point ? It’s good in terms of people going back to watch their mvs or music stages but if I’m in a situation where I cannot do that then what happens? The listening experience is not fully satisfied …
LikeLike
The rock version is better because it fits the album’s title “Rock-Star”.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I think I actually really liked this! It feels more of a God’s Menu-Thunderous vibe with some Ateez shades thrown in… which resonates which me better than the Maniac-S class style.
The MV this time I found really gorgeous and interesting – Towards the end I had a Seventeen Super vibe lol.
The music instrumental sounded nice, the chorus though sparse was catchy! I would have welcomed more lines from I.N because I’m really enjoying his tone recently – still overall I liked the song and feel it’s something I can enjoy if it comes on my playlist!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Frankly I’m pretty baffled by the decision to create a separate “rock version” of a song with rock-themed lyrics on an album called rock star. It would have been cool to see them perform that version on stage. I don’t think either version of the song fully works for me, though.
I haven’t listened to all of the b sides yet but I think they’ll appeal to me more. I like megaverse despite its fairly bad English lyrics, if only because I missed that “STRAY KIDS HOO!” from Miroh etc…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought it was more performance focused and I was right because the performance and choreo is pretty insane. The album is no skip for me though.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love the production on this so much that I’m willing to excuse la-la-la-la as the chorus. Best skz in a while.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I love it! They’re unapologetic in the fact that their song structure does not fit the regular mold in K-pop or pop in general. Want that? Go listen to anything on Kiss FM. They are bombastic, high intensity, rap fueled and the message in the song is well written and the MV showcased it. Frankly, I love it more than S Class. It’s not your cup of tea? They are cool with it, their genre is Mala Tang for a reason, it’s not for everyone.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Yeah this is pretty bad, Stray Kids title tracks tend to be that way for me. Though there’s almost always a much better b-side or two hidden within the album.
LikeLike
Yeah, I wish there was a Buried Treasure post for this mini album, but I guess not, and that’s fine.
LikeLike
This song would be better if I had any use for it. This backflip through bricks music but I don’t own any bricks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Made me lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
This song is an A+ for me, as for people and the bias list keep your negatives to yourselves. I hate it when people just grade some music. Is it okay if I judge any favorite kpop idols? I hope not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course it’s okay! It’s called criticism and having an opinion, and it’s a vital part of the arts and entertainment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I very much admire the fact that Bang Chan and 3racha takes inspiration from different culture’s and countries! We’ve seen it with Miroh with the Haka of the Māori culture, Maniac with Middle Eastern influences, and now Lalala with Brazilian Phonk!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lalala is not brazilian phonk as much but more american
LikeLike
I liked the MV but the song itself is a let-down. Especially the chorus which is essentially the part you gotta love to love the song
LikeLike
It’s way better than S-Class so there is that. But it’s still a flat mess. Stray Kids’s music has always been “messy” but with a direction, a concept, a soul to it. Now it’s just a parody of a mess for the sake of it “sounding Stray Kids”. But once you scratch this brand-focused surface level, it lost all substance, sounding more bland and directionless each time, with albums as a whole being obviously thrown together without anything in mind. Only confirmed by their (more and more frequent) stories of songs being made years ago or for other albums in the first place. Just disappointing.
LikeLike
I honestly felt like I was flying to the top of the tallest building in the city when I heard the comments about them clinging to musical details in albums that were all produced many years ago. Since Maxident, I don’t know if they could have come up with any more magical words, just to express that idea, in the introduction video before the official album release.
LikeLike
for me, this is one of their best title tracks…i understand the point that is not the song that you guys expected, but for me, this is what i like the most about stray kids. They release a whole ass-booster that makes you want to commit crimes, and then…WOW a majestic angelic and melodic song to sing with my whole soul. I’ve never seen a group that can have such a versatile self-made discography and do it so perfectly, i’m always proud of my skz!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Skz’s music is not for people who are heavily genre based in their music preference. This song is layered with so many genres that aren’t common place for a strictly or mainly kpop listener. It can be overwhelming but that’s the point. That’s why I enjoy their music so much. This has been my favorite comeback so far. It’s loud, exciting, rhythmic, and Han and Changbin’s raps intertwine so well together.
LikeLike
Just listened to this song this morning and what a joy! Perfect boost for Monday mornings! The high energy is just God sent! Not everyone’s cup of tea perhaps but it’s definitely mine this morning .
LikeLiked by 1 person
9 / 10
0 – unlistenable
5 – exactly “ok”
10 – perfect
I love it. It’s very fast paced, powerful and electric. The music video is VERY well done, though the “LA LA LA” hand gesture is so basic. I don’t like the how much auto tuning there is on Felix’s voice, but it’s salvageable. The backround bells tie it together and the rap is on point. My favorite style of song. This is my favorite group, so there might be a bias of .5
LikeLike