Noeasy

Stray Kids uploaded the video "Step Out 2021", which describes the group's accomplishments in 2020 and plans for 2021—including a second studio album—.through their social media channels on January 1, 2021. Between April and June of that year, the group participated in the Mnet competitive reality television show Kingdom: Legendary War, in which they competed against other similar groups and emerged as the winner. as part of the final performance competition. Later, JYP Entertainment confirmed the group were preparing a new album but had not decided its format. Hyunjin would also participate in the new album's promotion. A month later, via the album trailer "Thunderous", the group announced their second studio album would be titled Noeasy and was scheduled for release on August 23, 2021, marking their first Korean physical release in 11 months. They group were separated into three teams: Quokka Bbang Daengi (Han, Seungmin, I.N; formerly Margarine Bbang) to write the song "Gone Away"; and "The View" was teased as a title on the music video of "Mixtape: Oh" in late June. Title and concept The album's title, Noeasy, is a wordplay on "noisy"—describing the misconception of the group's music as "noise music"— According to Bang Chan; "We [Stray Kids] actually thought the term 'noise music' was something that we could use as our own weapon". Both interpretations express that despite the group's hardships, they aim to be the noisiest group. ==Music and lyrics==

Noeasy is forty-six minutes and thirty-five seconds long, and has fourteen tracks of various music genres. "The View", the fifth track, is described as a "rhythmic", The song is based on an EDM sound; eleventh track "Surfin'" which is sung by Lee Know, Changbin, Felix, is described as "like a glass of carbonated water" with tropical sounds and marimba beats and lyrics about how having occasional little adventures can heal the soul and mind, allowing one to keep one's lives on track and not solely focus on work. The album concludes with "Mixtape: Oh", a mid-tempo electropop song from the Mixtape Project; it has a reggaeton rhythm that describes the frustration of being clumsy and immature in front of the object of one's desire, and expresses feelings of resentment and frustration at those feelings. ==Release==

Stray Kids released Noeasy on August 23, 2021, on CD in both limited-edition and standard versions and download, and on streaming platforms. A jewel case version of the album was released on August 30, one week after the official release date. the two standard versions began one week later, and the jewel case version began on the day after the release date. The album's limited and standard editions contain a CD-R, a package sleeve, a photobook, a lyrics book, a randomized member sticker, a folded poster, photo cards, and a double-sided photo card. The jewel case version, which features a member's solo cover, contains a CD-R, a sticker, and a randomized photo card. The limited version exclusively includes a randomized pop-up card and an all-member photo card set. A randomized poster, a frame photo card, and a special mini photo book are available through pre-order. ==Promotion==

On July 22, 2021, Stray Kids released a two-and-half-minute-long official comeback trailer named "Thunderous" and announced their second studio album Noeasy was scheduled for release on August 23. The trailer was directed by Lee Hye-sung and produced by Sushivisual; it has a superhero theme and shows the members transforming into avenger corps against the ear-shaped "sound monster" by inventing technology and weapons, and brainstorming strategies in an apocalyptic world. On August 2, they released an exclusive clip with behind-the-scenes footage of the trailer. In the clip, the members tease the undisclosed lead single; Felix appears alone and greets the group's fans. The group released snippet videos for the eight of the twelve tracks: "Cheese", "Red Lights", "Gone Away", "Surfin'", "Domino", "The View", and "Secret Secret". The teaser images were uploaded in three sets. The first concept shows a red avant-garde outfit with a smoky background. The second depicts a black-and-white outfit with plain white or hanok background. The complete track list of Noeasy was announced on August 12, 2021, with "Thunderous" as the album's lead single, and the previous releases "Wolfgang" and "Mixtape: Oh". Two music-video teasers of"Thunderous" were released on August 20 and 21, and the performance-video teaser with SKZoo's costumes was released the following day. The online cover artwork, and the 24-minute-long documentary video Intro: "Noeasy" introducing the album, were also released with the album on August 23. To promote the album, the group held an online listening party via Stationhead on August 27 (KST), and appeared on several television and radio programs, including domestic music programs, After School Club, ''Day6's Kiss the Radio, and Cultwo Show.'' In addition to the lead single, the accompanying music videos for B-sides "The View", "Cheese", "Red Lights", "Surfin'", and "Gone Away", and live videos for "Sorry I Love You" and "Secret Secret" were also released. Kingdom Week Stray Kids appeared on Kingdom Week , a television variety show that benefits the winner of Kingdom: Legendary War, which aired on Mnet for seven episodes from August 17 to 23. The first and second episodes showed the group behind the scenes during Kingdom: Legendary War, with commentary by Felix and Seungmin. In the third, fourth, and fifth episodes, the members go to a villa to rest and play a game called "buddy catcher". The sixth episode includes the group's best performance chosen by the group members. The final episode, airing the day as the album's release, called Stray Kids Comeback Show "Noeasy", showcases the album. Singles "Thunderous" is the lead single from Noeasy. and posted to YouTube, Naver TV, and V Live. Both the single and the video were released alongside the album on August 23, 2021. number three on the US World Digital Song Sales, and number eighty on the Billboard Global 200, and took six wins from music programs: twice on Show Champion, twice on M Countdown, once on Music Bank, and once on Inkigayo. The accompanying music video reached 50 million views on YouTube in six days of release and 100 million views in fifty-five days, making it the group's fastest and fifth 100-million-view music video. Live performances Stray Kids gave the debut performance of Noeasy with a showcase, called Stray Kids Comeback Show "Noeasy", which was held on the day as the album's release as part of the final episode of Kingdom Week . The group performed the lead single "Thunderous", and the B-side "The View" for the first time at the show, alongside the show's final competition song "Wolfgang", and "Grow Up" from their debut EP I Am Not (2018). The group promoted "Thunderous" on South Korean music programs M Countdown, Music Bank, Show! Music Core, Inkigayo, and Show Champion for three weeks, August 26 – September 12, along with "The View" in the first week of promotion, "Sorry, I Love You" was performed for the first time at Unite On: Live Concert on November 6. Stray Kids also performed songs from Noeasy at several awards ceremonies and year-end annual music shows. The group gave the debut performances of the sub-unit tracks "Red Lights", "Surfin'", and "Gone Away" as a medley alongside "Thunderous" at the 2021 The Fact Music Awards on October 2. They performed "Domino" and "Thunderous", and also showed Lee Know's solo dance performance and 3Racha's rap performance, at the 2021 Asia Artist Awards on December 2. "Cheese" was given its debut performance on December 11 at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards as part of medley titled Stray Kids World Domination, alongside the "hero" version of "Thunderous" and the unreleased song "Hey, Monster", whis was performed by 3Racha. The group performed "Thunderous" with a new arrangement at the 36th Golden Disc Awards on January 8, 2022, alongside "Top" and "Wolfgang". The group performed "Thunderous" at the 2021 KBS Song Festival on December 17 at Namhansanseong; the performance was described as a "mega performance" and "action movie-like feeling". They performed the Christmas version of "Thunderous" at 2021 SBS Gayo Daejeon on December 25, using canes and group dance, and parodying Squid Game ttakji, and dalgona game, alongside "Winter Falls" from the single album Christmas EveL, and covered IU's "Merry Christmas Ahead" performed by the members Changbin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N, as part of Christmas carol medley with other artists. They closed the year with a performance of "Thunderous" at 2021 MBC Gayo Daejejeon on December 31, adding the ringing of a New Year's bell before the New Year ceremony. As an ambassador for the Korea Pavilion of Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Stray Kids performed "Thunderous" as part of the opening show of the Korea Pavilion's Korea National Day with the Little Angels and K-Tigers on January 17, 2022. The group also performed "Thunderous" alongside "Miroh", "God's Menu", and "Back Door" at the Korea National Day K-Pop Concert on the same day. The debut performance of "Silent Cry" was given at the group's second fan meeting on February 12 and 13 at Olympic Hall. ==Critical reception==

Upon its release, Noeasy received positive reviews from music critics. Writing for Rolling Stone India, Divyansha Dongre said Stray Kids "keeps their identity intact as they reflect on hate directed towards their artistry", which is "centered around a powerful message of self-expression". Writing for Pinkvilla, Ayushi Agrawal considered the album a "a book that can only be penned by Stray Kids" and said the album "reinstated their tag of 'self-producing idols' in a way that is above and beyond any expectations", and that it "reaffirms the group's self-made mighty footing in the music industry". Crystal Bell of Teen Vogue described the album as "more than noise", and complimented the group, saying they were able to "perfect their ability to make even the quiet parts unabashedly loud, showing us how to live with the noise—not run away from it". Year-end lists Awards and nominations ==Commercial performance==

On August 17, 2021, it was reported pre-orders of Noeasy had surpassed 830,000 copies; on the day of release, August 23, pre-orders had exceeded 930,000, breaking the group's previous record of 300,000 pre-orders for In Life. According to Hanteo Chart, Noeasy sold 355,946 copies on the first day, and 641,589 copies in the first week of release. becoming the group's fifth number-one album on the chart after Clé 1: Miroh, Clé: Levanter, Go Live, and In Life. making it the group's first million-selling album, and that of their label, JYP Entertainment. It was also the sixth South Korean million-selling album of 2021. All of the album's fourteen tracks also simultaneously entered the Gaon Download Chart for the first time, all becoming top-40 hits. Noeasy received a million certification by Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) on October 7. Noeasy ranked at number eight on the 2021 year-end Gaon Album Chart, selling 1,303,106 copies as of the end of the year. World Albums at number five, Independent Albums at number thirty-eight, and Top Current Album Sales at number sixty-nine for the chart issue date of September 4, 2021. The album entered several national charts in Australia (fourteen), Austria (twelve), Denmark (three), Finland (five), Germany (sixty-four), Hungary (five), Lithuania (twenty-two), the Netherlands (eighteen), Norway (twenty-seven), Poland (six), Spain (sixty-seven), and Switzerland (ten). It additionally entered the component charts of French Physical Albums (sixty-three), Swedish Physical Albums (ten), and the UK Album Downloads (twenty-six). ==Track listing==

Notes • "Mixtape: Oh" is stylized as "Mixtape : OH". • Track titles in Korean translation: • Track 2 "" () means "singer" of Korean traditional music storytelling pansori, and a play with the Korean word "noise" () and the suffix , an indicator that a thing is someone's profession or hobby. • Track 4 "" () means "grin smile" and play with the word "sick". • Track 6 "" () means as same as the English title. • Track 8 "" () means "a secret that can't be told". • Track 10 "" () means "compulsion" or "obsession". • Track 14 "" () means "love" or "child". ==Credits and personnel==

Musicians • Stray Kids • Bang Chan (3Racha) – lead vocals , background vocals , lyrics , composition , arrangement , instrumentation • Changbin (3Racha) – lead vocals , background vocals , lyrics , composition • Han (3Racha) – lead vocals , background vocals , lyrics , composition , vocal directing • Lee Know – lead vocals , background vocals , lyrics , composition • Hyunjin – lead vocals , background vocals , lyrics , composition • Felix – lead vocals , background vocals , lyrics , composition • Seungmin – lead vocals , background vocals , lyrics , composition • I.N – lead vocals , background vocals , lyrics , composition • Versachoi – composition , arrangement , instrumentation • HotSauce – composition , arrangement , keyboard , drum programming , computer programming • ByHVN (153/Joombas) – composition , arrangement , keyboard , drum , bass • Krysta Youngs – lyrics , composition , background vocals • Telykast – composition , arrangement , instrumentation , drums , keyboard , computer programming • Millionboy – composition , arrangement , instrumentation • Hong Ji-sang – composition , arrangement , background vocals , electric guitar , bass , keyboard , computer programming • JinbyJin – composition , arrangement , guitar , piano , synthesizer , computer programming , vocal directing • Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker – composition • Gabriel Brandes – composition • Earattack – lyrics , composition , arrangement , background vocals , instrumentation • Callous – lyrics • DaviDior – composition , arrangement , instrumentation • Nickko Young – guitar • Armadillo – composition , arrangement , instrumentation • Gump – composition , arrangement , instrumentation • Jung So-ri – guitar • Jeon Sang-min – piano • Yi Sung-chan – bass • Holy M – composition , arrangement , bass , computer programming • Kobee – composition , arrangement , guitar , drum , computer programming Technical • KayOne Lee – digital editing • HotSauce – digital editing • Lee Hwa-shin – digital editing • Jung Yu-ra – digital editing • Woo Min-jung – digital editing • Lee Sang-yeop – recording • Lim Hong-jin – recording • Goo Hye-jin – recording • Eom Se-hee – recording • Hong Ji-sang – recording • Park Eun-jung – recording , mixing • Bang Chan (3Racha) – recording • Choi Hye-jin – recording , mixing • Yoon Won-kwon – mixing • Tony Maserati – mixing • Master Key – mixing • Jay-P Gu – mixing • Shin Bong-won – mixing • Lee Tae-sub – mixing • David K. Younghyun – mix engineering • Kang Seo-yeon – mix engineering • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering • Chris Gehringer – mastering • Will Quinnell – mastering assistant Others • J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul" – executive producer • Jimmy Jeong – executive producer • Bang Jae-yeob – video production, director • Jung Min-hee (Mu: Creative) – photographer • Kim Chan (Prod) – photographer • Jay – hair/makeup director • Seo Ji-hye – hair/makeup director • Jung Min-ju – hair/makeup director • Jeon Ji-won – hair/makeup director • Park Jung-ah – style director • Lee So-young – style director • Ahn Yu-na – style director • Hyun Seung-jae (Zesstype) – album logo design • Laundry Office – album design Locations • JYP Publishing (KOMCA) – original publishing , sub-publishing • 153/Joombas Music Publishing – original publishing • Trevor Klaiman Music (BMI) – original publishing • Kyle M T Music (ASCAP) – original publishing • Linus AK Music (ASCAP) – original publishing • Petal Rock Publishing (ASCAP) – original publishing • Copyright Control – original publishing , sub-publishing • EKKO Music Rights Europe (powered by CTGA) – original publishing , sub-publishing • Fujipacific Music Korea Inc. – sub-publishing • JYPE Studios – recording , mixing • Jisang's Studio – recording • Channie's Room – recording • Studio DDeepKick – mixing • Chapel Swing Studios (Valley Glen) – mixing • 821 Sound – mixing , mastering • Klang Studio – mixing • Glab Studios – mixing • Sterling Sound – mastering ==Charts==

Weekly charts Monthly charts Year-end charts ==Certifications and sales==