STAYC – ‘Metamorphic’ review: returning with a renewed sense of identity

1 July, 2024

stayc metamorphic cheeky icy thang review

Being a STAYC fan over the past year has been a confusing affair. While the girl group started off their career with a string of strong releases that were inventive and forward-facing, breathing exciting new life into an industry that chases trends, the silly bubblegum sound of their more recent singles – ‘Teddy Bear’ and ‘Bubble’ – has been contentious. On ‘Metamorphic’, though, the sextet return to the energy that first caught them attention, but now with a renewed sense of identity.

READ MORE: STAYC on covering TWICE’s ‘Fancy’ for Spotify Singles: “It really is a special song to us”

‘Metamorphic’ kicks off with some of STAYC’s strongest songs yet. On the smouldering, powerful opener ‘Twenty’, the girl group set their intentions for this new era, forging ahead with a new confidence to take life on their own terms (“Sometimes’ breakin the rules / But you know that I’m gonna be fine”). And while STAYC have declared that they’re all grown up, they definitely haven’t lost their propensity for exuberant pop earworms.

That much is clear on title track ‘Cheeky Icy Thang’, which brims with swirling synths and an instrumental that’s reminiscent of 2022’s ‘RUN2U’ – but that is where their similarities begin and end. In the two years since, the group have grown more comfortable in their skins, and ‘Cheeky Icy Thang’ find them stepping away from their usual roles with a playful ease. It’s a noticeable shift that shows up throughout ‘Metamorphic’, from main vocalist Sieun’s bratty speak-singing on ‘Cheeky Icy Thang’ to J’s impressive vocals in ‘Gummy Bear’.

STAYC are also given more space to find their own voices, with the album featuring the girl group’s first unit and solo songs. Sieun, Seeun and J’s standout drum ‘n’ bass number ‘Find’ swaps the attitude-driven delivery of the opening tracks for more delicate vocals. It’s paired with a welcome shift into more personal territory, with lyrics that paint a thoughtful picture of looking inward to realise one’s true desires, and feels especially apt in an album that signals STAYC’s coming-of-age.

Isa stuns with the sensual R&B gem ‘Roses’, its minimalistic production a match made in heaven with Isa’s sweet, angelic tone. Meanwhile, Sumin and Yoon’s ‘Fakin’’ is a vulnerable mid-tempo pop track on which they contemplate their craving for connection and fear of love.
The love songs are bolder than anything the girl group have released (“Wanting more isn’t bad / And maybe that’s just how it’s supposed to be, yeah”), signalling their shift into a more mature, assertive approach to matters of the heart.

Throughout the record, STAYC’s newfound confidence in love is made apparent, from bombarding their lover with curious questions in the sweet, breezy ‘Let Me Know’ to daring them to make a move in the sassy ‘1 Thing’. The group explore heartbreak on ‘Metaphoric’, putting a former flame on blast for their selfish ways on ‘Give It 2 Me’ and delivering a carefree kiss-off on the lighthearted breakup anthem ‘Nada’. Meanwhile, the group manifest a simple life on ‘Gummy Bear’, which flits between bombastic rap verses and a feel-good pop chorus.

stayc metamorphic cheeky icy thang review — STAYC. Credit: High Up Entertainment

‘Metamorphic’ is not without its more pedestrian moments, though. The feel-good ‘Beauty Bomb’ and ‘Flexing On My Ex’ are beautifully performed and contain sweet messages of self-love, but add little to the big picture of STAYC’s musical palette. Still, with ‘Metaphorphic’ coming in at 14 tracks, it’s a relief to see the group sidestepping the vexing new K-pop trend of tossing in two or three new songs with a melange of past singles or remixes and calling it an album.

No K-pop record is complete without the customary fan song or two. The energetic pop-rock of ‘Stay With Me’ makes it a strong contender for a concert closer, and it’s no surprise that the group haven’t been able to resist performing it live ahead of its official release. Meanwhile, ‘Trouble Maker’ feels like an homage to old-school K-pop, combining flourishing horns with bold, melodic vocals atop an trendy, heart-skipping drumbeat. “In the end, I’ll handle it, I’ll make it / To wherever we can go / Shall we try going all the way to the end once?” they sing, inviting listeners on their thrilling journey together.

True to its title, ‘Metamorphic’ is a celebration of STAYC’s coming-of-age, both on a personal and musical level. More than ever, the girl group have pushed themselves to their limits, exploring a myriad of new soundscapes and subject matter. While not every song hits it out of the park, the record succeeds in showcasing the girl group’s impressive range, and more than proves STAYC’s timeless charm and staying power.