Stray Kids are getting ready to drop a new Japanese-language EP, and today, the K-pop boy band returns with their second single from the project. It’s called “Social Path,” and it’s a frantic, rock-tinged rumination on growing up that features Japanese singer-songwriter LiSA. The track quickly landed in the Top 3 of the Genius Top Songs chart.
Written by Stray Kids members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han (known together as 3RACHA) in conjunction with Versachoi, “Social Path” opens with the refrain, where Felix sings over noodling electric guitar about his future aspirations.
Gave up my youth
For my future
I just want to
Rise up stronger
On his section of the first verse, Han tells us that he faced a lot of temptation in his early years, according to the song’s English translation. If you’ve written him off as someone lacking strength, you’re dead wrong.
諦めてた みんなが言う青春は
たくさん誘惑耐え抜いた 甘く見てたなら
Hyunjin starts the pre-chorus by describing the loneliness and harsh judgment one feels in a new town. Then Seungmin (lyrics in italics) and I.N. (bold) make it clear they won’t let anyone hold them down.
I know it’s gonna be lonely
‘Cause everyone keeps turning me down
Countless new surroundings
Cold eyes keep looking me down
I’m still in the crowd, alien of the town
Yeah, they want me to give up right now
They’re making me laugh it’s so loud
Waking the demon that’s hiding inside
Bang Chan handles the first lines of the inspirational chorus, which is set to twitchy, ecstatic drums: “You only get to live one life, I know I’m ready /Take that chance no matter what they tell me.” Then comes LiSA, who vows to follow her own road, “the social path,” which is perhaps a play on the word “sociopath.”
Look back, the ashes prove my
Passion always burns eternally
No regrets, I love this feeling
Down on this road, call it the social path
On the second verse, I.N., Hyunjin (italics), and Felix (bold) note the constant turnover in their social groups and realize the toughest battles will be the ones they fight against themselves.
Never knew I’d see so many people come and go
I see the mirror, it’s only me
Evil thoughts taking over, I’ma let it go (Let it go, let it go)
I fight myself, it’s only me
“Social Path” arrives with a music video in which Stray Kids sing and dance in front of cosmic backdrops and try to elude an evil army of people with paper bags on their heads.
Stray Kids’ new EP is set to arrive September 6, and six days later, they’ll perform on the MTV Video Music Awards. In the meantime, you can read all the lyrics to “Social Path” on Genius now.
