On my 18th birthday, my family and I played “Guess the Song.” My sister, knowing I am a fan of Stray Kids, started playing some of their tracks, which I recognized almost immediately. But my curiosity grew when I heard a song I didn’t know. When I checked the description and release date, my jaw dropped. “GIANT” had been posted only seven hours earlier. To my surprise, it wasn’t just a single but a full album titled “GIANT.” The discovery felt like an unexpected birthday gift.
I brushed off my guilt for not realizing they were releasing another album and began listening to “GIANT.” The album features seven new songs, including two translated into English — a rare move for a K-pop group. I finished the album in about 30 minutes and was not disappointed. Each track was catchy, creative and well-produced.
My favorite song is “Falling Up.” Its lyrics — “I shed my blood, sweat, and tears; head to the top; I give it my all; I got no slump” — deliver a powerful and relatable message. The vocals enhance the track without overpowering its hip-hop rhythm.
Another standout is “Christmas Love.” Although holiday-themed, it stands apart from other seasonal songs. Its major key gives it a bright, uplifting feel. “Christmas Love” gets me into the holiday spirit even more than Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” While that may sound like exaggeration, the song emphasizes that Christmas is about spreading joy and love. Both tracks carry a similar message, but “Christmas Love” delivers it with a softer, equally cheerful tone.
“GIANT” is performed in Japanese instead of Korean, which is unusual for a K-pop group, especially since Stray Kids are not fluent in the language. One of the reasons I admire the group is their dedication to craft. Every song is carefully constructed with engaging lyrics and strong melodies. I also enjoy finding deeper meaning in music, which is what initially drew me to K-pop.
Stray Kids are widely seen as giants in the K-pop industry, but “GIANT” examines the feeling of not always living up to that label. The pre-chorus of the title track states: “They call us ‘God of Gods,’ to use our powers that we hold, for their own desires, watch them explode. I’m known as a giant. No no no, I am but I deny it. We’ve got places to go, we’ve got places to flow. I am not satisfied, I want more.” Despite their success, the group conveys a relentless drive to improve and reach new heights. The album reflects a recurring theme in Stray Kids’ work: pushing oneself to achieve greater goals.
My only critique is that the themes of ambition and constant self-improvement may be hard for some listeners to relate to. Everyday people aren’t seen as giants or gold medalists, making it difficult to connect with that perspective.
For newcomers to Stray Kids or K-pop, “GIANT” may not be the best entry point since it is entirely in Japanese. Instead, I recommend starting with the “Oddinary” album and the English versions of “Falling Up” and “NIGHT.” Overall, “GIANT” is another testament to Stray Kids’ talent and artistry. For me, it was the perfect birthday gift.
