Stray Kids THIS & That review: Our favorite tracks and standout member moments
THIS & THAT arrives exactly where Stray Kids sound most comfortable: moving fast, switching lanes, and refusing to make every idea behave. Released August 7, 2026, the eight-track mini album balances the group’s hard-edged energy with playful detours and a surprisingly reflective finish.
The strongest track: “This & That”
The title track is the album’s best full-group showcase. Its rough, scratchy beat leaves enough room for every voice to register, while the cool, almost detached delivery makes the hook more addictive with each replay. Instead of building toward one enormous drop, the song keeps shifting its weight. That restless structure feels unmistakably Stray Kids.
Seungmin supplies the song’s standout vocal moment. His bridge briefly opens the track up and gives the melody room to breathe before the final push. Hyunjin’s relaxed, rhythm-first delivery is another highlight; he sounds completely at home inside the song’s playful attitude. Changbin and Han bring different kinds of pressure to the rap sections—Changbin with compact force and Han with a lighter, faster snap—so the momentum never flattens out.
Felix’s lower register works best here as punctuation rather than a gimmick, adding contrast exactly when the arrangement needs more weight. Lee Know and I.N help smooth the transitions into the brighter melodic sections, while Bang Chan’s presence is felt in the production as much as in the performance. Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han—3RACHA—are credited across the album, and the record benefits from that consistent creative center.
Beyond the title track
“RUN IT” is the immediate adrenaline shot. It opens the mini album with the sound of a group still focused on forward motion, pairing rap, synths, and percussion with a no-looking-back attitude. “After You” brings a lighter, more buoyant turn, while “FARMING” is the record’s strangest idea—the sort of deliberately odd Stray Kids track that will either click instantly or become the one you catch yourself humming three days later.
“I Do” and “Way Out” give the middle of the album a smoother shape, keeping the project from becoming one long sprint. “Back Then” is the emotional landing point. Placed before the festival version of the title track, it adds warmth and reflection before the album finishes by turning the energy back up.
Our verdict
THIS & THAT works because it does not sand down the group’s personality. It is loud when it wants to be, odd on purpose, and confident enough to make room for softer moments. The title track is the clear winner, but the mini album’s real strength is how naturally all eight members fit into its constant motion.
Bring a little SKZOO energy with you
If the album has you back in full Stray Kids mode, our SKZOO Croc Shoe Charms are an easy way to carry that energy into an everyday outfit. Mix the characters across your shoes or pair them with other charms to make the look your own.