STAYC returns with dollop of teenfresh in new album

K-pop

Published: 16 Aug. 2023, 17:24 Updated: 16 Aug. 2023, 22:51

STAYC returns with dollop of teenfresh in new album

Girl group STAYC performs its lead track ″Bubble″ during a showcase held at the Ilchi Art Hall in Gangnam District, southern Seoul on Wednesday ahead of the album release [NEWS1]

STAYC is back with what the girl group does best: “Teenfresh.”

“Teenfresh,” a combination of teenage and fresh, is a term coined by the girl group when it debuted in 2020 It refers to the group’s unique fresh, teenage-upbeat signature music — and it is also the name of the girl group’s EP which drops Wednesday.

As the title of the album suggests, STAYC’s latest release evolves the group’s existing formula to create the ultimate “Teenfresh” experience, filled with positive energy and distinctive colors, according to the members.

Girl group STAYC [NEWS1]

“I think the more we promote [songs in the Teenfresh genre], the more we learn about STAYC’s distinctive energy,” Sieun said during a press conference at the Ilchi Art Hall in Gangnam District, southern Seoul on Wednesday ahead of the album release.

“Our biggest strength is in our honesty. We often act like playful teenagers, but we also do not shy away from showing our own distinct colors, and we have our strong ambitions which I think is our unique message [in STAYC’s genre Teenfresh],” Sieun said, adding that “just looking at STAYC will put a smile on our fans' faces.”

“Compared to our last album, we’ve added a scoop of refreshing energy,” J, the group’s youngest member, explained. “You’ll be able to feel a cool summer festival vibe.”

Girl group STAYC [NEWS1]

The EP features a total of six tracks, all with different styles. “Bubble,” the album’s lead track, is a positive upbeat score that plans to “pop uninvited nagging, just like a bubble,” while other tracks include “Not Like You,” a hip-hop-based track with strong bass, “I Wanna Do,” an R&B song that aims to comfort its listeners and “Be Mine,” a Y2K-inspired colorful track with the vibes of a lively yet dreamlike teenage girl. The album also features two variations of the lead track.

STAYC’s February single “Teddy Bear” became the group’s biggest hit so far, landing on top of Melon’s real-time streaming chart for the first time since its debut, receiving six weekly music show trophies and selling 341,000 albums in the first week of its release.

But the girl group was not pressured by its previous records.

“We always think that [the end result] depends on the amount of effort we put into it and how much we can pull it off,” member Sumin said.

Girl group STAYC poses for the camera during a showcase for the group's latest album ″Teenfresh″ in southern Seoul on Wednesday ahead of the album release. [HIGH UP ENTERTAINMENT]

“'Bubble’ is a continuation of ‘Teddy Bear’ in the sense that it’s bright and hopeful. We, alongside many other listeners, were comforted by ‘Teddy Bear’ and we wanted to continue relaying a message of hope.”

The two variations of “Bubble” featured in the EP are an “English Ver.” of the lead track and a “Sped Up English Ver.”

“The English version is a special track that we dedicate to our overseas SWITH fans who send us unwavering support,” member Yoon said. “We are also releasing it in preparation for our world tour.”

Starting with a two-day performance in Seoul in late September, the girl group will embark on its first-ever world tour, “Teenfresh,” that will visit 10 different cities around the world until February next year.

“The pronunciation was the most challenging part when we recorded the English version of the song,” Yoon said.

“Because we were not used to pronouncing some English words, you might find us mispronouncing some words if you listen carefully,” she added.

“The Sped up version, while it was our producer’s suggestion […] I also wanted to release one after listening to other artists’ sped-up versions,” Sieun said.

“When I listen to the sped-up version, I found myself walking faster and having high productivity," Yoon said with a laugh.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to feel like you are in the middle of a summer festival if you listen to all the songs in our EP,” member Isa said. “I hope you all really enjoy the album!”

Girl group STAYC poses for the camera during a showcase for the group's latest album ″Teenfresh″ in southern Seoul on Wednesday ahead of the album release. [HIGH UP ENTERTAINMENT]

To find out more about STAYC, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]