Stray Kids This & That Title Track Marks Comeback Release
South Korean boy group Stray Kids returned on Friday, August 7, with their tenth mini-album, “THIS & THAT,” led by the title track of the same name, marking the group’s first full album release in approximately nine months.
The eight-track EP was released at 1 p.m. KST and follows June’s pre-release single “RUN IT,” which served as the first offering from the “THIS & THAT” era. The rollout came after last year’s mixtape “DO IT” from SKZ IT TAPE, which set an industry record by becoming the first project to debut eight consecutive releases at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
The title track “This & That” was written and produced by 3RACHA, the group’s in-house production unit made up of members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, who have contributed to every Stray Kids release since the group’s debut. Described by the group as a departure from their typically high-intensity sound, the track leans into a relaxed, hip-hop-based groove built around a laid-back yet catchy melody. Speaking at a press event in Seoul the day before the album’s release, Changbin explained that the group deliberately went in a more chill and approachable direction this time, intentionally toning down some of the rougher, more unfamiliar sonic elements that have defined earlier singles in favour of something easier to connect with. He added that the track’s central hook came together quickly during the writing process and that the group grew increasingly confident in the song while developing its choreography.
Thematically, the track reflects a sense of self-assured freedom, with the members expressing confidence in their ability to pursue whatever they choose without being confined to a single path or option, a concept the group tied directly to the song’s title and central “this and that” refrain.
The eight-track mini-album moves across a range of production styles beyond the title track. It includes “RUN IT,” which blends brass instrumentation with world-beat rhythms; “After You,” a progressive house track; “FARMING,” inspired by farming video game concepts; “I Do,” a rock-leaning song with an energetic hook; “Way Out,” an acoustic hip-hop track dealing with breakup themes; “That Day (그날),” a band-driven, reflective track evoking late-summer memories; and a festival version of the title track closing out the release.
To mark the comeback, Seoul’s Namsan N Seoul Tower hosted a special lighting event on the evening of the album’s release, running from sunset until 10:30 p.m. KST. The group is set to promote “This & That” across South Korean music shows on August 7 and 8, hold their thirteenth mini fanmeeting following an appearance on “Show! Music Core,” and perform at the 2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer concert on August 9. A pop-up store celebrating the album’s release is also running from August 8 to August 20.
For those interested in the song’s lyrics or an English translation, official and fan-translated versions are available through licensed platforms such as Genius.
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