Staydom Explained

Staydom
Type:single album
Cover:STAYC - Staydom.png
Caption:Digital cover
Artist:STAYC
Language:Korean
Length:12:56
Prev Title:Star to a Young Culture
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Stereotype
Next Year:2021

Staydom (stylized in all caps) is the second Korean-language single album by South Korean girl group STAYC, released almost five months after the group's debut. It was released on April 8, 2021, by High Up Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment.[1] [2]

Background

High Up Entertainment announced on March 24, 2021, that StayC would be having their first comeback on April 8 with their second single album.

Two teasers for the album were posted on the group's social media accounts on March 23 and 24. The first teaser opens with the phrase "I hope someone to show up as soon as possible" with a tight shot of members' lips. Simultaneously, a mysterious voice messages came out in both Korean and English. The second teaser displayed the particular voice messages in texts, unveiling the release date and the album's name in the last scene.[3] The album's track list was revealed on March 26 and "ASAP" was announced as the lead single. The album contains three new original songs and a remix of their debut single "So Bad".

Concept photos for the album were released in the following days. The final teaser for the music video for "ASAP" was released on April 7. In the teaser clip, the six members rock different vibrant hair colours and dance on a pastel film set. "I think I'm really cool" member Yoon says to the camera before the beat kicks in.[4]

Composition

The production on the album is more mellowed and stripped-down compared to that on their debut single album. The lead single "ASAP" was noted to be considerably "low-key" compared to its predecessor. The instrumental hook of the song is laid-back, with its twinkly 8-bit-inspired ringtone melody. The song is trapped between a cutesy bubblegum pop production and a sensual summer jam. "Love Fool" is described as a delicate and cruisy song where the group members aren't forced to sing outside of their comfort zone, instead, they're allowed to bring their distinct persona to the song. "So What" is a bouncy pop song with some auto-tune. The last track on the album is an unplugged remix of their debut single "So Bad" titled "So Bad (Tak remix)". It is a dark pop song with influences of EDM and hip hop.[5] Black Eyed Pilseung co-produced "ASAP" and "So What" with Jeon Goon and solely produced "Love Fool". Production credits for "So Bad (Tak remix)" were not revealed.

Critical reception

NME's Sofiana Ramli called the album a low-key, summer-ready comeback that manages to hit all the right notes. She noted how the album showcased the group members' range, showing us that they're also equally great in a more stripped-down setting as they are in delivering dance-pop bangers.

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number nine on the Gaon Album Chart becoming the group's highest debut on the chart and their second consecutive top ten album.[6] The single "ASAP" has peaked in number 9 on Gaon Digital Chart as of 6 June 2021.[7]

Charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[8] 9

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lee. Min-ji. 스테이씨, 4월8일 컴백 확정…스포일러 영상 공개(공식). March 24, 2021. Newsen. March 24, 2021. ko.
  2. Web site: 스테이씨(STAYC), 컴백 확정…스포일러 영상 공개로 '기대감 UP' . March 24, 2021. m.korea.co.com. korean. March 24, 2021.
  3. Web site: STAYC is Making Their Return with 'STAYDOM' on April 8th. March 24, 2021. zapzee.com. english. March 24, 2021.
  4. Web site: Watch STAYC's vibrant teaser for new single 'ASAP' . April 7, 2021. NME. english. April 8, 2021.
  5. Web site: STAYC's 'Staydom' is a low-key, summer-ready comeback that manages to hit all the right notes . April 12, 2021. NME. english. April 14, 2021.
  6. Web site: Red Velvet's Wendy, Blackpink's Rosé, Astro And STAYC: This Week's 10 Bestselling Albums In Korea . April 15, 2021. Forbes. english. April 16, 2021.
  7. Web site: Gaon Digital Singles Chart -- Week 24, 2021. 2021-06-26. Gaon Digital Chart.
  8. Web site: Gaon Album Chart – Week 15, 2021. Gaon Chart. ko. April 15, 2021.