Song Review: Stray Kids – Walkin On Water

Prior to their official debut in March of 2018, Stray Kids released an EP titled Mixtape, largely compiling the songs featured on their pre-debut reality series. Nearly seven years later, they’re back with their first actual mixtape — though the definition of “mixtape” is pretty darn loose when it comes to K-pop. The project’s “single,” if you want to call it that, releases alongside a big budget music video and more bombast than most acts receive for full-fledged comebacks.

I’ve been off the Stray Kids train for awhile now despite loving their music in the past, so I want to preface my thoughts by giving Walkin On Water a big compliment. While I’ve felt the group’s recent title tracks have begun to refurbish the same old tricks from their past work, Water feels genuinely fresh. It’s still a very hip-hop forward track, but its old school breakbeats and playful percussion imbue it with a stronger funk backbone than expected. Song structure and delivery aside, the instrumental is downright fascinating in places. There’s so much going on at once, from rugged bass to bright synth lines to resonant drums. It’s a robust mix, dramatic and theatrical yet somehow loose and groovy at the same time. This blend becomes more captivating the closer you listen.

Of course, this interesting production makes me long for an equally interesting song. Without its dynamic instrumental, Walkin On Water is passable but too reliant on chants and predictable sing-song hooks. Lyrics are also an issue. Too many lame water references make it feel like the track doesn’t have anything substantive or new to say. And at just under two and a half minutes, there’s not enough time for Water to develop its many ideas. A few excellent melodic flourishes and builds would have gone a long way toward making this the absolute banger it could have easily been.

Grade: C+