I’m calling it now. Stray Kids, a South Korean boy group, most recent EP, “MAXIDENT,” is the best K-Pop boy group release this year.

“3RACHA,” Stray Kids’ producing sub-unit, which consists of members Bang Chan, Changbin and Han, really pulled out all the stops for this EP. “MAXIDENT” was teased back in September of 2022 with a two-minute jam-packed trailer. Attention for the EP grew as a famous movie actor, Ryan Reynolds, who is a known Stray Kids fan, commented a heart emoji on the trailer video. Following the success of their recent EP, “Oddinary,” which was released in March of 2022, “MAXIDENT” was under a lot of pressure to live up to the records the previous EP broke.

On Sept. 19, 2022, Stray Kids held a concert in Seoul, South Korea and teased three songs that would appear on “MAXIDENT.” These songs went over so well with fans that preorder sales went through the roof shortly after the concert. “MAXIDENT” outsold “Oddinary” within a day due to three single tracks. On Oct. 16, 2022, “MAXIDENT” took its place at the top of Billboard’s top 200, becoming the group’s second time achieving such a feat. This eight-track EP was going to be big.

Anyone who knows me personally can tell you how much of a “stay,” the official name for Stray Kids fans, I am. I’ve been an avid supporter of the eight-member group since 2018, when they made their debut with the songs “District 9” and “Hellevator,” respectively. I’ve experienced every comeback from the group, so I not only have a general feel for their type of music, but I tend to enjoy it better than a first-time listener.

Despite the countless teasers for “CASE 143,” the title track of “MAXIDENT,” I was not expecting anything like this. Everything about the song feels fresh. It still has that recognizable Stray Kids feel, but it’s somehow better. It’s blown past and gone beyond every expectation I had set. Additionally, The music video for “CASE 143” is adorable and the production is spot on. The choreography is super addicting, and while I listen, I have to strain myself not to break out into a dance number while walking from class to class.

Now, if you’re not singing along to the “nyoom” by the end of track four, “SUPER BOARD,” did you even really listen to it? Shockingly enough, K-Pop gets the most hate from the fact that the music is in Korean. With “SUPER BOARD,” you don’t need to know what they’re saying, you just bop your head and feel the music. Same for “Give Me Your TMI,” as the enjoyment can be measured purely by the vibe of the tune.

“Taste” is my personal favorite track from the EP. It’s produced and performed by “danceracha,” a dance team sub-unit lead by group members Lee Know, Hyunjin and Felix. Dance is my sport of choice, so I anticipate their unit releases the most. Members of “Danceracha” are all credible dancers and choreograph most, if not all, of the group’s dances. You can expect nothing less than a perfect choreography from them, and boy did they deliver with “TASTE.” Keep in mind that the choreography, much like the song itself, is on the more mature side.

“The song title is “3RACHA,” written by “3RACHA,” about “3RACHA,” Han, the youngest member of the rap sub-unit, said in the “MAXIDENT” intro video.

The song is supposed to encapsulate the pride and passion that “3RACHA” brings to Stray Kids. On my first listen, it sounded like a cooler version of your average “we made it” song. On my second listen, it was still the same, but their lyrics went deeper than just the surface level. Having been a fan for so long, I picked up on some of the references they made, like their past achievements or hardships. “3RACHA” doesn’t have the same replay value I get from other tracks, but I can appreciate the genius behind it nonetheless.

Adding on, Stray Kids member, Han Jisung, is credited for well over 100 songs, with the new track “CHILL” being one of them. Han is well known in the K-Pop world for being Stray Kids’ “ace,” because despite being the main rapper in the group, he is also extremely skilled in dance, singing and especially producing. Given its upbeat nature, it was a shock to find out “CHILL” is a sad song.

“I think Han’s songs always make you know that Han wrote them,” group member, Lee Know, said in the “MAXIDENT” intro video.

Han produces tracks that are meaningful and devastatingly beautiful, and “CHILL” is just another example of his creative genius.

“Vocalracha,” a vocal-based duo team led by members Seungmin and I.N, is not as popular as the other two sub-units from Stray Kids. Stray Kids has a signature “noise music” sound, and the calmer tracks from vocalracha often get overlooked. However, the track “Can’t Stop” gets me smiling immediately. The rock vibe mixed with the gorgeous vocals from Seungmin and I.N is nothing less than a 10/10. “Can’t Stop,” much like “SUPER BOARD,” has me sing along to the “let me love you” lyrics during the post-chorus. “Can’t Stop” is also similar to “My Universe,” a vocalracha track released in 2021 on another “Stray Kids’’ album, “IN LIFE.” Both songs are about being in love. Usually, love songs have to be extremely dramatic for me to like them, but “Can’t Stop” seems to be the exception. It’s so cute that it’s hard to not be happy, or at the very least bop your head, while listening.

The EP features a Korean version of “Circus,” the title track released in June of 2022 for their Japanese EP. The addition of this remaster brings the track total to eight.

“MAXIDENT” is an obvious 10/10 from me if that wasn’t clear. With K-Pop becoming more mainstream and a money grab with hundreds of groups being mass-produced every year, it’s rare to see self-producing groups. Stray Kids stand out in that way: their music is genuine, heartfelt and most importantly, really dang good. If you like “CASE 143” or any other songs off “MAXIDENT,” I highly recommend you take a look at other tracks in the Stray Kids’ discography. The guys don’t disappoint.