Maniac (Stray Kids song)

On February 13, 2022, after the fan meeting 2nd #LoveStay 'SKZ's Chocolate Factory', Stray Kids surprise-released the trailer video for the upcoming EP Oddinary, scheduled for release on March 18.[1] The completed track listing of the EP was posted on March 3, confirming "Maniac" as the lead single.[2] Three music video teasers were uploaded from March 15 to 17.[3][4][5] "Maniac" was released alongside the EP, in conjunction with its accompanying music video,[6][7][8] According to a Nylon interview, the member Han said that the song was written during fall and winter, and 3Racha want to give off a different vibe from the previous single, "Thunderous".[9]

Lyrically, "Maniac" compares "odd" people to Frankenstein's monster (pictured).

"We wrote ["Maniac"] thinking that within this normality, show yourself off as much as you want — show yourself to the world better."

— Han on the meaning of "Maniac", Teen Vogue[10]

"Maniac" is described as a Middle Eastern-influenced[11] "powerful" trap,[8] electropop[12] song, whose bass-synth drop,[8][11] bird-chirping,[11] and drill sounds,[12] composed in the key of C♯ major, 120 beats per minute with a running time of three minutes and two seconds.[13] The song was written by Stray Kids' in-house production team 3Racha, consisting of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, and co-composed with Versachoi, who also handle in arrangement with Bang Chan. It is 3Racha and Versachoi's second collaboration on the Stray Kids' lead single after "God's Menu" from Go Live (2020).[2] Lyrically, "Maniac" supports the thematic of Oddinary,[8][14] expressing the story of "odd" people who break the "ordinary" social norms and expectations set by society,[15] comparing them with Frankenstein's monster having a few screws loose.[8][12]

Teen Vogue's Crystal Bell compared "Maniac" as "proof enough that it doesn't matter which way Stray Kids decide to turn" if Oddinary exists at the crossroads. She praised the group "can continue to evolve their sound while also staying true to themselves as artists."[10] NME critic, Tássia Assis, admired that "how much Stray Kids refined their talents for this comeback, successfully combining their abrasive energy with more tempered tones."[11]

In South Korea, "Maniac" debuted at number 105 on the Gaon Digital Chart in the chart issue dated March 13–19, 2022.[16] The song also debuted at number six on the component Download Chart,[17] and number two on the BGM Chart.[18] After that, the song ascended to number 29 on the main chart in the next week, becoming the group's highest peak on the chart,[19] including number two on the Download Chart.[20] In Japan, "Maniac" entered Billboard Japan Hot 100 at number 89[21] and jumped to number 43 on its next week.[22] The song also peaked at number 33 on the Oricon Combined Singles Chart.[23] In other Asia-Pacific countries, "Maniac" entered Malaysia's RIM International Singles at number four,[24] Singapore's RIAS Top Streaming Chart at number nine, Billboard Vietnam Hot 100 at number 82,[25] Australia's ARIA Singles Chart at number 79,[26] and New Zealand RMNZ Hot Singles at number four.[27]

In North America, "Maniac" debuted at number 19 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100, becoming their first appearance on the chart,[28] as well as number one on the World Digital Song Sales,[28] making it the second song to top the chart after "Mixtape: Oh".[29] The song also entered Canadian Hot 100 at number 79.[28] In Europe, "Maniac" appeared for the first time on the main UK Singles Chart at number 98.[30][31] Furthermore, the song charted in Hungary (14),[32] Lithuania (48),[33] and Portugal (149).[34] Globally, the song debuted at number 21 on the Billboard Global 200, as well as number 12 on the Global Excl. U.S., becoming the group's highest charted song.[28] For Billboard Hits of the World, the song appeared on the Indonesia (14),[35] Malaysia (2),[36] Philippines (22),[37] Russia (4),[38] and Singapore (10) Songs charts.[39]

A scene in the music video, where Stray Kids are dancing in an upside-down town.

An accompanying music video for "Maniac was uploaded on March 18, in conjunction with the Oddinary release.[6][7][8] Directed by Bang Jae-yeob, and choreographed by MOTF (Men of the Future),[40] the music video oscillates between two worlds, depicting the members exploring various locations of a deserted town in an alternate dimension, and doing random things, such as playing on the subway or cleaning up the diner, and the upside-down version of the town. It also shows a giant, graffitied brain, before being transported back to the real world at the end, where the members hold part-time jobs and hang out.[7][8][12] Rolling Stone India's Divyansha Dongre compares the two worlds as "Marvel's multiverse meets the Stranger Things' upside-down".[8] The music video reached 50 million views on March 30.[41]

Stray Kids performed "Maniac" for the first time on March 18, the same date as the release, at Music Bank[42] and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.[43] However, in that day, JYP Entertainment announced that the promotions had been postponed due to most members, except Felix and I.N, testing positive for COVID-19.[44] On March 26, the label announced that Stray Kids would continue promoting at the music shows beginning at Show Champion on March 30,[45][46] including M Countdown,[47][48] Music Bank,[49][50] Inkigayo,[51][52] and Show! Music Core.[53] The group also performed "Maniac" at Virtual Gayo Top 10 on March 25,[54] and MTV Fresh Out Live on April 1.[55]

Credits adapted from Oddinary liner notes.[40]

Locations

• JYP Publishing (KOMCA) – original publishing
• JYPE Studios – recording
• Channie's "Room" – recording
• Larrabee Studios – mixing
• The Mastering Palace – mastering

Personnel

• Stray Kids – lead vocals
  • Bang Chan (3Racha) – lyrics, composition, arrangement, digital editing, recording
  • Changbin (3Racha) – lyrics, composition
  • Han (3Racha) – lyrics, composition
• Versachoi – composition, arrangement, all instruments, computer programming
• KayOne Lee – digital editing
• Goo Hye-jin – recording
• Manny Marroquin – mixing
• Chris Galland – mix engineering
  • Ramiro Fernandez-Seoane – assistant
• Dave Kutch – mastering

• List of Music Bank Chart winners (2022)
• List of Show Champion Chart winners (2022)