Circus (EP)
Circus | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
EP by | ||||
Released | June 22, 2022 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 19:11 | |||
Language | Japanese | |||
Label | Epic Japan | |||
Producer | ||||
Stray Kids chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Circus | ||||
|
Circus is the second Japanese-language extended play (EP) (tenth overall) by South Korean boy band Stray Kids. It was released on June 22, 2022, through Epic Records Japan. Centered on a circus concept with hip hop, trap, rock, and pop elements, the EP consists of six tracks, preceded by the Japanese version of "Maniac", "Your Eyes", and the title track. Commercially, Circus debuted at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart, and atop Billboard Japan Hot Albums, and was certified platinum by Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), surpassing 250,000 copies.
Background and release
On April 4, 2022, two weeks after the group's sixth Korean extended play (EP) Oddinary release, Stray Kids announced their second Japanese EP, scheduled for release on June 22, after their first Japan leg of their Maniac World Tour ends.[1] Pre-orders for the EP began on the same date, coming in four editions on CD–limited A, limited B, regular, and FC. The limited A edition additionally includes DVD, while the limited B SpecialZine.[2] In a Pia Music Complex magazine interview on April 21, Bang Chan stated that the EP will give the group's "refreshing power" and "blow away all the heat of summer", while Changbin said that they will show both "unique" and "different" side of the EP.[3]
From May 12 to 16, Stray Kids posted individual and group teaser images, depicting a concept of circus.[4][5] On May 16, the EP's title was revealed, named Circus, alongside the cover artworks for each edition, and the track listing, containing three new tracks, and the Japanese versions of "Venom" and "Maniac" from Oddinary (2022), and "Silent Cry" from Noeasy (2021). Additionally, the limited A edition includes the music video of the previous-release single "Scars", and its behind-the-scene.[6][5][7] The EP was preceded by three single: "Maniac (Japanese ver.)", released on May 18,[8] "Your Eyes" on June 1,[9] and the title track on June 10.[10] The latter two were released alongside their accomapying music videos.[9][10]
Music and lyrics
Circus is nineteen minutes and eleven seconds long, consisting of six tracks.[6] It opens with the title track, "Circus", a hip hop-dance track centered on the circus theme, featuring "vaulting" pluck bass, "addictive" vocal chops, and "solid" drums, which make sounds like elephant footsteps in the circus".[10] It is followed by the second track "Fairytale", based on the theme "the ideal love of the world is all like a fairy tale".[11] The final track, "Your Eyes", is a ballad love song driven by piano about the lover's gaze with the feeling of anxiousness sometimes but still wishing to be happy in the relationship.[9]
Promotion
To promote Circus, Stray Kids appeared on the covers and gave interviews for the July–October 2022 issue of Japanese magazines CanCam.[12] Mini,[13] Nikkei Entertainment!,[14] Pia Music Complex,[15][16] Vivi,[17] Smart,[18] and Rolling Stone Japan (only interview).[19] The group appeared for televised interview at Venue101 on May 12,[20] as well as the five-hour-special Kami Oto: Kamigata Otomatsuri on May 28,[21] The Time on June 21,[22] Mezamashi TV on June 23,[23] and Asadesu on June 29.[24] FamilyMart, HEP Five, and FuRyu partnered with Stray Kids for several campaigns to commemorate the release of Circus in June.[25][26][27]
Stray Kids gave the debut performance of "Circus" at the first Kobe show of the Maniac World Tour in Japan on June 11.[28] On the same day, they performed "Maniac (Japanese ver.)" at Venue 101, broadcast from World Memorial Hall, where they held the concert.[29] The group appeared on the morning show Sukkiri on June 14, to perform "Circus".[30] Following the EP release, Stray Kids held the pre-recorded livestream event to introduced the EP via YouTube, TikTok, and Abema.[31] The group performed "Circus", along with "Back Door", at Buzz Rhythm 02 on July 9,[32] and the two-hour special Music Station on August 5.[33]
Commercial performance
According to Oricon, Circus has sold 97,804 copies on June 21, 2022, the flying get date.[34][35] The EP entered Oricon Albums Chart at number two with 131,921 CD copies in its first week, behind only Tatsuro Yamashita's 2022 album Softly.[36] It also debuted at number one on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums,[37] selling 198,239 physical copies (number one on the Top Album Sales),[38] and 986 downloads (number eight on the Download Chart) on the first week.[39] The album also charted on the ARIA Physical Albums at number 12,[40] and the Croatian HDU International Albums at number 28.[41]
Track listing
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Circus" |
|
| 3:14 | |
2. | "Fairytale" |
|
|
| 2:52 |
3. | "Venom" ( |
|
|
| 3:15 |
4. | "Maniac" (Japanese version) |
|
|
| 3:03 |
5. | "Silent Cry" (Japanese version) |
|
| Hong Ji-sang | 3:31 |
6. | "Your Eyes" |
|
|
| 3:16 |
Total length: | 19:11 |
No. | Title | Director(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Jacket shooting making movie" | 8:19 | |
2. | "Jacket shooting making movie" (relay cam version) | 8:26 | |
3. | "Scars" (music video) | Bang Jae-yeob | 3:49 |
4. | "Scars" (music video making movie) | 6:26 | |
Total length: | 27:00 |
Notes
- The Japanese title of track 3 "
蜘蛛 の糸 " (Kumo no Ito) means a spider's thread.
Credits and personnel
Musicians
- Stray Kids – vocals, background vocals
- Bang Chan (3Racha) – lyrics (except 2), composition (except 2), arrangement (except 5, 6), all instruments (1, 3, 6), computer programming (1, 3, 6), vocal directing (except 2, 5)
- Changbin (3Racha) – lyrics (except 2), composition (except 2), vocal directing (except 2, 5)
- Han (3Racha) – lyrics (except 6), composition (except 6), vocal directing (except 5)
- KM-Markit – Japanese lyrics (except 3)
- Yohei – Japanese lyrics (3)
- Earattack – background vocals (1), composition (1), arrangement (1), all instruments (1), computer programming (1), vocal directing (1)
- Chan's – composition (1), arrangement (1), all instruments (1), computer programming (1)
- Darm – composition (1), arrangement (1), all instruments (1), computer programming (1)
- Millionboy – composition (2), arrangement (2), all instruments (2), computer programming (2), vocal directing (2)
- DallasK – composition (3), arrangement (3), all instruments (3), computer programming (3)
- Versachoi – composition (4), arrangement (4), all instruments (4), computer programming (4)
- Hong Ji-sang – composition (5), arrangement (5), all instruments (5), electric guitar (5), bass (5), keyboards (5), computer programming (5), vocal directing (5)
- Jun2 – composition (6), arrangement (6), all instruments (6), vocal directing (6)
Technical
- Goo Hye-jin – recording (except 2, 6)
- Park Eun-jung – recording (2, 5)
- Bang Chan (3Racha) – recording (4), digital editing (3, 6)
- Lim Hong-jin – recording (5), mixing (3, 6)
- Eom Se-hee – recording (5)
- Hong Ji-sang – recording (5), digital editing (5)
- Lee Sang-yeop – recording (6)
- Lee Kyeong-won – digital editing (1, 3, 4)
- Park Nam-jun – digital editing (2), mixing assistant (2, 5)
- Lee Tae-sub – mixing (1)
- Shin Bong-won – mixing (2, 5)
- Manny Marroquin – mixing (4)
- Kwon Nam-woo – mastering (except 4)
- Dave Kutch – mastering (4)
Locations
- Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. – publishing
- JYP Publishing (KOMCA) – publishing
- Music Cube Inc. – publishing (1)
- Cube Entertainment Inc. – publishing (1)
- Fujipacific Music Korea Inc. – publishing (1)
- Prescription Songs (ASCAP) – publishing (3)
- JYPE Studios – recording, mixing (1, 3, 6)
- Channie's "Room" – recording (4)
- Jisang's Studio – recording (5)
- KayOne Sounds – digital editing (1, 3, 4)
- Glab Studio – digital editing (2), mixing (2, 5)
- Larrabee Studios – mixing (4)
- 821 Sound Mastering – mastering (except 4)
- The Mastering Palace – mastering (4)
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Monthly charts
Year-end charts
|
Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Japan (RIAJ)[48] Physical |
Platinum | 250,000^ |
Japan Digital |
— | 993[49] |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Japan | June 22, 2022 | CD+DVD | Limited A | Epic Japan | [50] |
CD+SpecialZine | Limited B | ||||
CD |
| ||||
Various |
|
Digital | [51] | ||
South Korea | JYP | [11] |
See also
References
- ^ "Stray Kids、
来日 する6月 に日本 2ndミニアルバムをリリース" [Stray Kids Will Release Japan 2nd Mini Album in June When They Come to Japan]. Natalie (in Japanese). April 4, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kids、2022
年 6月 22日 (水) に待望 のJAPAN 2nd Mini Albumのリリースが決定 !" [Stray Kids Will Release the Long-Awaited Japan 2nd Mini Album on June 22, 2022 (Wed)!]. Stray Kids Japan Official Website (in Japanese). April 4, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022. - ^ "6
月 22日 発売 のJAPAN 2nd Mini Albumに寄 せて、Stray Kidsメンバーからコメントが到着 !" [Comments from Stray Kids members have arrived for the JAPAN 2nd Mini Album released on June 22!]. Pia (in Japanese). April 21, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kids、JAPAN 2nd Mini Albumのビジュアル
解禁 スケジュールが公開 !" [Stray Kids, JAPAN 2nd Mini Album Schedule Release!]. Stray Kids Japan Official Website (in Japanese). Epic JYP. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022. - ^ a b Park, Seo-yeon (May 16, 2022). "스트레이 키즈, 6월 22일
日 새 앨범 'CIRCUS' 발매..현지 인기몰이 예고" [Stray Kids, New Japan Album 'CIRCUS' Release on June 22…Local Popularity Forecast]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Retrieved May 16, 2022. - ^ a b "Stray Kids、
日本 2ndミニアルバム名 は『CIRCUS』 アートワーク&収録 曲 一挙 公開 " [Stray Kids, Japan 2nd Mini-Album title is "CIRCUS", Artwork & Recorded Songs Released at Once]. Oricon (in Japanese). May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022. - ^ Yang, Haley (May 16, 2022). "Stray Kids to drop new EP 'Circus' in Japan on June 22". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
- ^ "Stray Kids、
中毒 性 の強 い「MANIAC -Japanese ver.-」先行 配信 スタート" [Stray Kids Launches Pre-Release of Highly Addictive "MANIAC -Japanese ver.-"]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022. - ^ a b c "Stray Kids
恋人 目線 で描 く、バーチャルデートMV「Your Eyes」を公開 " [Stray Kids Released Virtual Date MV "Your Eyes", Drawn from a Lover's Perspective]. Spice (in Japanese). June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022. - ^ a b c "Stray Kids、「CIRCUS」の
先行 配信 &Music Videoの公開 がスタート!" [Stray Kids Pre-Delivered "CIRCUS" from the Mini Album "CIRCUS" & Released MV]. The First Time (in Japanese). June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022. - ^ a b Stray Kids (June 22, 2022). "[EP] CIRCUS" (in Korean). Melon. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
- ^ "Stray Kids「CanCam」
初 表紙 メンバーの中 で一番 "理想 の恋人 "イメージが強 いのは?" [Stray Kids "CanCam" First Cover, What Is the Strongest Image of "Ideal Lover" Among the Members?]. Modelpress (in Japanese). May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kidsを
盛 りだくさんに撮 り下 ろし 『mini』2パターン表紙 &付録 も超 充実 " [A Lot of Stray Kids Are Taken Down "mini" 2 Pattern Cover & Appendix Is Also Super Fulfilling]. Oricon (in Japanese). May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kids、デビューから
現在 までの歩 みに迫 る BE:FIRST・RYOKIらが"推 す理由 "も" [Stray Kids, "Reason to Recommend" by BE:FIRST ・ RYOKI, Who Approaching the Steps from Debut to the Present]. Modelpress (in Japanese). May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kidsが6
月 21日 発売 のPMCに登場 。来日 目前 !必 ずスーツケースに入 れるものは?" [Stray Kids will appear at PMC on June 21. Immediately Before Coming to Japan! What Should I Put in My Suitcase?]. Pia (in Japanese). June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kids
日本 の音楽 誌 初 の対面 取材 &撮影 。『PMC Vol.24』 7月 28日 (木 )発売 決定 。表紙 ビジュアル解禁 !読者 アンケート募集 も!" [Stray Kids' First Face-to-Face Interview and Shooting for a Japanese Music Magazine. "PMC Vol.24" Will Be released on Thursday, July 28. Cover Visual Was Unveiled! Recruitment of Reader Questionnaires!]. Pia (in Japanese). July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kids、7
月 23日 発売 「ViVi」9月 号 の特別 版 表紙 に初 登場 !対談 やユニットトークも" [Stray Kids First Appearance on the Special Edition Cover of the September Issue of "ViVi", Released on July 23! Dialogues and Unit Talks]. Kstyle (in Japanese). July 16, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kidsファン(STAY)
必読 ! "スキズ大 特集 号 "のsmart10月 号 がすごい" [Stray Kids Fans (STAY) Must Read! Smart October Issue of "SKZ Special Issue" Is Amazing]. Smart (in Japanese). August 20, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2022. - ^ "
矢沢 永吉 と今市 隆二 のW表紙 、RSJ次号 でフジロック・サマソニ大 特集 " [Eikichi Yazawa and Ryuji Imaichi's W cover, Fuji Rock Summer Sonic special feature in the next issue of RSJ]. Rolling Stone Japan (in Japanese). June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022. - ^ Venue101 [@nhk_venue101] (May 12, 2022). "📢
今週 土曜 23:00~ #Venue101生放送 / Stray Kids VTR出演 決定 👏" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved May 28, 2022 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "5
時 間 生放送 「カミオト」にJO1、BE:FIRST、なにわ男子 、SCANDAL、BiSH、岡崎 体育 ら" [JO1, BE:FIRST, Naniwa Danshi, SCANDAL, BiSH, Taiiku Okazaki, etc. on the 5-Hour Live Broadcast "Kami Oto"]. Natalie (in Japanese). May 14, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022. - ^ TBS "THE TIME." [@THETIME_TBS] (June 20, 2022). "📢
明日 のエンタメ情報 📺 // JAPAN 2nd Mini Album 『 #CIRCUS 』をリリース / Stray Kidsにインタビュー🐥🎤 //曲 の注目 ポイントとは一体 ⁉️ / また雨 の日 に聴 きたい一 曲 って?👀" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved June 22, 2022 – via Twitter. - ^ Mezamashi TV (July 10, 2022). "Stray Kidsぶっちゃけトーク「メンバーの
中 で彼氏 にするなら?」【めざまし未 公開 インタビュー】" [Stray Kids Frank Talk "If You Want to Be a Boyfriend Among the Members?" [Mezamashi Undisclosed Interview]]. FujiTV-View (in Japanese). Retrieved August 11, 2022. - ^ Asadesu [@asadesu0600] (June 28, 2022). "6
月 29日 (水) ① // ▽#StrayKids / #スキズ からメッセージが届 きました✨ / アサデスポーズもばっちりです🙋♂️" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved June 29, 2022 – via Twitter. - ^ "Stray Kids、JAPAN 2nd Mini Album『CIRCUS』
発売 記念 「Stray Kids×ファミマ」キャンペーン開催 決定 !" [Stray Kids, JAPAN 2nd Mini Album "CIRCUS" Release Commemoration "Stray Kids x FamilyMart" Campaign Will Be Held!]. Stray Kids Japan Official Website (in Japanese). Epic JYP. June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kids、
大阪 ・梅田 "HEP FIVE"をジャック". Barks (in Japanese). June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022. - ^ FuRyu (June 23, 2022). "
今 話題 のボーイズグループ「Stray Kids(ストレイキッズ)」をフリューが初 プライズ化 !"推 し活 "アイテムや豪華 キャンペーンを6月 から3か月 連続 で展開 " [Flue will be the first to give the popular boy group Stray Kids! Starting in June, we will launch promotional items and luxurious campaigns for three consecutive months]. PR Times (in Japanese). Retrieved June 23, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kids、2
年 7ヵ月 ぶり来日 公演 に感激 「本当 に幸 せ」世界 初 披露 の楽曲 も" [Stray Kids Was Thrilled to be Performing in Japan for the First Time in 2 Years and 7 Months]. Modelpress (in Japanese). June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022. - ^ "SEVENTEEN、Stray Kids、NCT DREAM、
今夜 放送 「Venue101」出演 を控 え日本語 でメッセージ!神戸 から生 出演 も (動画 あり)" [SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, and NCT DREAM send Messages in Japanese Ahead of the Appearance of Tonight's Broadcast "Venue 101"! Live Appearance from Kobe (with video)]. Kstyle (in Japanese). June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kids「スッキリ」で
流暢 な日本語 トークを披露 !新曲 「CIRCUS」の生 パフォーマンスも…ウエンツ瑛 士 との記念 ショットを公開 " [Stray Kids Show Off their Fluent Japanese Talk at "Sukkiri"! Live Performance of the New Song "CIRCUS"…Showing a Commemorative Shot with Eiji Wentz]. Kstyle (in Japanese). June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kids、トーク/CD
開封 /MVリアクションなど実施 の番組 配信 " [Stray Kids, Talk/CD Review/MV Reaction, etc. Program Distribution]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022. - ^ "「バズリズム02」トークにStray Kids
初 登場 ! バンチャンの部屋 はきれいすぎて「何 もありません」" [Stray Kids First Appearance in "Buzz Rhythm 02" Talk! Bang Chan's Room Is Too Clean and "Nothing"]. Natalie (in Japanese). July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022. - ^ "「Mステ」2
時 間 SPにNiziU、ジャニーズWEST、King Gnu、スキズ、大黒 摩季 、ポルノら" [NiziU, Johnny's WEST, King Gnu, Stray Kids, Maki Oguro, Porno Graffitti, etc. in "Music Station" 2 Hours SP]. Natalie (in Japanese). July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kids、
日本 2ndミニアルバムでオリコンチャートのトップに!日本 での存在 感 ますます上昇 中 " [Stray Kids Topped the Oricon Charts with Their Japan 2nd Mini Album! Japan's Presence Is Increasing]. Sportsseoul (in Japanese). June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022. - ^ Lee, Sung-mi (June 23, 2022). "스트레이 키즈,
日 미니 2집 'CIRCUS' 오리콘 일간 앨범 차트 1위 '뜨거운 인기'" [Stray Kids Topped the Oricon Daily Albums Chart with their Japan 2nd Mini Album 'CIRCUS' 'Hot Popularity']. BizEnter (in Korean). Retrieved June 23, 2022. - ^ imdkm (July 2, 2022). "
山下 達郎 、11年 ぶりオリジナルアルバムがチャート首位 現在 とこれからに思 いを馳 せたくなる"現役 "の一 作 " [Tatsuro Yamashita First Original Album in 11 Years Topped the Chart, An "Active" Work That Makes You Want to Think About the Present and Future]. Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved July 2, 2022. - ^ "【ビルボード】Stray Kids『CIRCUS』が
総合 アルバム首位 山下 達郎 /二宮 和也 が続 く" [[Billboard] Stray Kids "CIRCUS" Is the Leader of Combined Albums, followed by Tatsuro Yamashita / Kazunari Ninomiya]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022. - ^ "【ビルボード】Stray Kids『CIRCUS』が
初 週 19万 枚 を売 り上 げてアルバム・セールス首位 " [[Billboard] Stray Kids "CIRCUS" Sold 190,000 Copies in the First Week and Became the Top Album Sales]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022. - ^ "【ビルボード】
二宮 和也 による初 のカバーアルバム『〇〇と二宮 と』がDLアルバム首位 " [Kazunari Ninomiya's First Cover Album "○○ and Ninomiya and" Tops the DL Albums]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022. - ^ a b "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 11 July 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1688. Australian Recording Industry Association. July 11, 2022. p. 7.
- ^ a b "Circus – Week 31, 2022" (in Croatian). HDU. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022–07-04" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2022-07-04" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of June 29, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved June 29, 2022.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2022-06". Oricon. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- ^ "Oricon Top 100 Albums: 2022". Oricon. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums Year-End 2022". Billboard Japan. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Japanese album certifications – Stray Kids – Circus" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 9, 2022. Select 2022
年 8月 on the drop-down menu - ^ "Weekly Digital Albums Chart – July 4, 2022" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
- ^ "Stray Kids、JAPAN 2nd Mini Albumのタイトルが『CIRCUS』に
決定 ! メインビジュアルやジャケット写真 、収録 曲 も一挙 解禁 !" [The Title of Stray Kids JAPAN 2nd Mini Album Has Been Decided as "CIRCUS"! The Main Visuals, Cover Artwork, and Track List Was Announced at Once!]. Stray Kids Japan Official Website (in Japanese). May 16, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022. - ^ "Stray Kids、JAPAN 2nd Mini Album『CIRCUS』がいよいよ
配信 スタート!" [Stray Kids, JAPAN 2nd Mini Album "CIRCUS" Finally Release!]. Stray Kids Japan Official Website (in Japanese). Epic JYP. June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)