STAYC’s 2024 material has been increasingly quirky, marked by oddball earworms like Cheeky Icy Thang. Their music’s appeal has always been a bit left of center, which is a good thing. But in a current girl group landscape that favors beige easy-listening, it’s interesting to hear them adjust to the trends. New single GPT does a pretty good job threading the needle.
You definitely get the sense that this song could fit within the discographies of artists like ILLIT and NewJeans, but the production has a bit more edge and imagination than recent efforts by those groups. As verse one began to unfold, I felt a surge of optimism that GPT might set its sights on a more expansive arrangement. Its instrumental ties the driving energy of an EDM track to loungey elements that give it a more subdued tone. GPT maintains this general sound rather than push even further, but there’s enough going on in the production to keep interest high.
I prefer the melodies in the verses to the chorus, as their structure feels less repetitive and more in keeping with the instrumental’s energy. GPT‘s hook is a little flat, playing as a sigh rather than an exclamation. That’s the trend at the moment so I can’t fault the producers for giving the public what they want, but I would have loved to hear a full-throated centerpiece that elevated GPT‘s potential. This actually occurs most strongly during the song’s outro when the production takes center stage as the girls deliver an ethereal, wordless refrain.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
This is so urethral😍
besides that I love this so much and it was instantly memorable, love the production and dreamy feel😍
8.75/10😍
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lol I was so tempted to use that word in the review but knew that only a small sliver of readers would understand why
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I must have missed the urethral joke going around, as yes would give me pause.
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As far as I can tell, it was a very funny autocorrect of “ethereal”
https://x.com/nickajames/status/1850945057299579002
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It’s a cute, quirky song, and could do better with a more robust chorus, but I still like it.
8.5 for me (8, 9, 8, 9)
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Honestly, this is a great song for my taste, and the quirkiness of the instrumental compliments the voices, as well as the production. Love it!
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Agree fully with Nick, this song is firmly in the current New Jeans Illit Fifty-Fifty gestalt but with that overlay of percolating synths that make it less beige. It does marry a few worlds together well, or well enough.
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Today is giving me whip-whiplash with how different the two releases are. Cheeky Icy Thing has become a staple in my playlist, and I think this is another nice edition in their discography. My favorite part is the beginning when we hear that nostalgically awesome instrumental. I agree the chorus could be been significantly better instead of fizzling out. Overall, it’s a nice song, but I’m not sure if it’s one I’ll play often.
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A few listens of just the audio works wonders. I low key adore it now. I love it despite its shortcomings (that chorus is still leaving me wanting more!)
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This has definitely shot up as one of my favorite STAYC title tracks ever in a matter of hours. It’s so dreamy while also being a driving melody and trendy in a way that is both fun and that I think will age well. Bravo STAYC girls!
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Feel like this was what Cherish was tryna do but executed a bit better. Both had a slightly melancholic undertone but the production here is more dynamic.
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I find that comparison is interesting. It makes me want to clarify why both tracks are different. ‘Cherish’ already exists before the group is singing over. ‘GPT’ gets its tone, its mood, its color from how the singing has become an actual substance of it.
NewJeans (that i like) and ILLIT remains groups that have been produced for an esthetic. STAYC is a group that produces an esthetic.
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i was nervous that the instrumental would be way better without singing on top of it at all but i’m glad gpt lets stayc ride on the production more than going into dramatics. just a cute, lush song
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The song and especially the video remind me of “Cosmic.” (Only steal from the best.) I think this is a big improvement over “Meow” and at least as good as “Cheeky,” which I’ve grown to love.
8-8.5/10👍
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MEOW is a good track that fits STAYC well but comes from different producers. That’s actually far from the usual sound of the group.
Cool you’ve grown to love Cheeky Icy Thang btw – that is very STAYCesque!
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Too subdued for me
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The illit looks are a pass for me. Otherwise I like the video
gpt title gave me no hope but the production is great and engaging over multiple listens. The verses are solid but that chorus doesn’t do it for me. An effect on the vocals or more drama in the production would’ve improved it. Granted, they could’ve just put a more interesting melody there to begin with. In the other hand I love the “baby I love you~ dudududu…” Hook, very effective and reminiscent of their songs
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ugh the romantic instrumental in the beginning is probably the best part of the song. wish they used it more. this song perfectly meshes stayc’s more quirky “digitized” production (like it’s such a specific sound, idk how to describe it) with current trends. very glittery, gamer vibe. i enjoy it compared to their last few titles!
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Good to see Stay C being solid still.
This is a pass for me, not enough energy. I don’ t hate this style, but I think I am about ready for everyone to stop whispersinging and sighing over a pretty, but aloof instrumental.
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How different could be a melancholy song about unrequited love?
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This is phenomenal! It’s like a forgotten track from my favourite STAYC’s era (Stereotype – Beautiful Monster) but with the latest experience of the production team & the maturation of the group.
The lyrics are very clever & touching about unrequited love. The melody & arrangement are gorgeous (i love the prechorus so much and i’m amazed by the background of the bridge). As usual, the way the girls sing, how they deliver the lyrics, is top-notch.
This is pure STAYC/BEP, immediately recognizable. It could fit other groups but they would never make it like this, due to how work their producers. (Take a look at the ‘Cheeky Icy Thang’ Recording Behind to see how deep is the work on rendition.)
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The instrumental is way too loud in the chorus.
I like this a lot more than their last few singles.
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I find the lyrics too cringe for me. Sorry
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This is the first time I don’t like much their title, Cheeky Icy Thang was so weird in a good way, it made me thought they did music as an artist not an idol. But I will love GPT if it has a more energetic chorus, or this is the way korean music’s trending now. Urg I miss the chorus of teddy bear and bubble xD
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beside I’ll give GPT a bunch of play, hope I’ll like it more than now ^^ stayc you still rock it
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I keep coming back to this. It’s totally cute and sweet. It doesn’t impose and stays pure to the end.
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