"Maniac" is a song recorded by the South Korean boy band Stray Kids. It was the second track released from their sixth Korean extended play (EP), Oddinary, and was its lead single on March 18, 2022, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records. Written by Stray Kids' in-house production team 3Racha and Versachoi, "Maniac" is a trap, EDM and pop song about "odd" people who break the "ordinary" social norms set by the world, referring to Frankenstein's monster.
On February 13, 2022, after the fan meeting 2nd #LoveStay 'SKZ's Chocolate Factory', Stray Kids surprisingly premiered 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] The Japanese version of "Maniac" was pre-released on May 18, through Epic Records Japan and included on the group's Japanese-language second EP Circus, released on June 22.[10][11]
"Maniac" is described as a Middle Eastern-influenced[13] "powerful" trap,[8]EDM, pop[14] song, with bass-synthdrop,[8][13]bird-chirping,[13] and drill sounds.[14] It was composed in the key of C♯ major, 120 beats per minute with a running time of three minutes and two seconds.[15] The song spans from the low note of F♯2 by members Hyunjin and Felix, to the high note of F♯5 by member Bang Chan. 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][16] expressing the story of "odd" people who break the "ordinary" social norms and expectations set by society,[17] comparing them with Frankenstein's monster having a few screws loose.[8][14]
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."[12]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."[13] Yemi from Idology said that the song "shows a relatively flexible mood compared to previous works that were consistent with divergence, and it was impressive that the group's unique strong energy was still there, but that they had enough room to try to make rapid adjustments."[18]Rolling Stone ranked "Maniac" number 56 on its list of the Best Songs of 2022.[19] Other publications who ranked it amongst the best K-pop songs of 2022 include Billboard (5th),[20]CNN Philippines Life (5th),[21]The Korea Herald (2nd),[22]NME (24th),[23] and Teen Vogue (unranked).[24]
In South Korea, "Maniac" debuted at number 105 on the Gaon Digital Chart in the chart issue dated March 13–19, 2022.[25] The song also debuted at number six on the component Download Chart,[26] and number two on the BGM Chart.[27] 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,[28] including number two on the Download Chart.[29] In Japan, "Maniac" entered Billboard Japan Hot 100 at number 89[30] and jumped to number 43 in its next week.[31] After the Japanese version release, the song re-entered and peaked at number 21.[32] The song also peaked at number 33 on the Oricon Combined Singles Chart,[33] while the Japanese version at number 28.[34]
An accompanying music video for "Maniac was uploaded on March 18, in conjunction with the Oddinary release.[6] Directed by Bang Jae-yeob,[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][14]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] and 100 million views on June 22, becoming the sixth music video to reach this milestone following "God's Menu", "Miroh", "Back Door", "My Pace", and "Thunderous".[42]
Stray Kids included "Maniac" on the set list of their Maniac World Tour (2022).[57][58][59] The group performed the song at Seoul Festa's K-Pop Super Live concert at Seoul Olympic Stadium on August 10, alongside "God's Menu".[60] Stray Kids performed "Maniac" and "Venom" with the theme "Do You Want to Be Oddinary" at 2022 MAMA Awards on November 29.[61] The show depicted a concept of "bizarre laboratory creating eight maniacs"[62] and featured giant spider AR wrapped around the stage.[63] They also performed the song alongside "Case 143" at the 2022 KBS Song Festival on December 16.[64] The group performed the song at Jimmy Kimmel Live! as musical guest on March 29, 2023.[65][66]
^Seon, Min-kyung (February 14, 2022). "스트레이 키즈, 3월 18일 컴백 확정..새 앨범 'ODDINARY' 발매[공식]" [Stray Kids, March 18 Comeback Confirmed..New Album 'ODDINARY' Release [Official]]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved February 14, 2022.
^ abHwang, Hye-jin (March 3, 2022). "'4세대 선두주자' 스트레이 키즈, 18일 타이틀곡 'MANIAC' 발매 '전곡 참여'" ['4th Generation Leader' Stray Kids, Title Track 'MANIAC' Release on March 18 'All Tracks Participation']. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved March 3, 2022.
^Gong, Mi-na (March 15, 2022). ""나사 빠진 것처럼 미쳐" 스트레이 키즈, 더 강렬해진 'MANIAC'" ["Going Crazy, like I Have a Loose Screw" Stray Kids, 'MANIAC' Get More Intense]. StarNews (in Korean). Retrieved March 15, 2022.
^Kim, Ye-na (March 16, 2022). "스트레이 키즈, 컴백 타이틀곡 '매니악' MV 티저 오픈…빛나는 존재감" [Stray Kids, Comeback Title Track 'MANIAC' MV Teaser Open…Shining Presence]. Xportsnews (in Korean). Retrieved March 16, 2022.
^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.
^Lee, So-yeon (March 13, 2022). "스트레이키즈 새 미니앨범 발표 앞두고 티저 유튜브 트렌딩 월드와이드 1위" [Before Stray Kids' New Mini-Album Release, Teaser Tops YouTube Trending Worldwide]. Star Today (in Korean). Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^Binunmul; Jo, Eun-jae; Mano; Squib (April 18, 2022). "Monthly : 2022년 3월 – 앨범" [Monthly : March 2022 – Album]. Idology (in Korean). Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^Jang, Da-hee (May 2, 2024). "스키즈 'MANIAC', 美레코드산업협회 골드 인증 획득…통상 네 번째" [SKZ's 'MANIAC' Obtains Gold Certification from the Recording Industry Association of America... Overall the Fourth]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved May 2, 2024.
^Lee, Jae-hoon (March 30, 2022). "스트레이키즈, '빌보드200' 포함 빌보드 6개 차트 1위" [Stray Kids Tops 6 Billboard Charts including 'Billboard 200']. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved March 30, 2022.
^Lee, Tae-soo (March 26, 2022). "스트레이키즈 '마니악', 영국 싱글 차트 진입 성공" [Stray Kids 'MANIAC' Succeeds in Entering the UK Singles Chart]. Yonhap News (in Korean). Retrieved March 26, 2022.
^Yoon, Sang-geun (March 28, 2022). "스트레이키즈 'ODDINARY' 초동 85만장+英오피셜 톱100 차트인" [Stray Kids 'ODDINARY' First Week 850,000 Sales+UK Official Top 100 Chart Enter]. StarNews (in Korean). Retrieved March 28, 2022.
^Park, Se-yeon (June 22, 2022). "스트레이 키즈 '매니악' MV로 6번째 1억뷰…4세대 보이그룹 최다" [Stray Kids' 6th 100 Million Views with 'Maniac' MV… Most of the 4th Generation Boy groups]. Star Today (in Korean). Retrieved June 22, 2022.
^Oh, Jin-joo (March 18, 2022). "'뮤직뱅크' 스트레이키즈, 매니악(MANIAC) 최초 공개" ['Music Bank' Stray Kids, "MANIAC" Comeback]. StarNews (in Korean). Retrieved March 18, 2022.
^Ji, Min-kyung (March 18, 2022). "스트레이 키즈, 美 '더 레이트 쇼 위드 스티븐 콜베어' 출연..신곡 무대 공개" [Stray Kids, US 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' Appearance.. New Song Stage Unveiling]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved March 18, 2022.
Oh, Seo-rin (March 18, 2022). ""멤버들과 숙소 분리"…스트레이키즈(Stray Kids) 창빈, 코로나19 확진→스케줄 중단 (전문)" ["Separation of the Dormitory from the Members"…Stray Kids Changbin, COVID-19 Confirmation→Schedule Suspension]. Topstarnews (in Korean). Retrieved March 18, 2022.
Kim, Ye-na (March 19, 2022). "스트레이 키즈 창빈·한, 코로나19 확진…"음악방송 일정 취소"" [Stray Kids Changbin·HAN COVID-19 Confirmed... "Music Program Schedule Cancelled"]. Yonhap News (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2022.
Park, Se-yeon (March 21, 2022). "스키즈 승민 코로나19 확진…창빈·한 이어 팀내 세번째" [Stray Kids Seungmin, COVID-19 Positive Confirmed... Third in the Group after Changbin and Han]. Star Today (in Korean). Retrieved March 21, 2022.
Oh, Ji-won (March 22, 2022). "스트레이키즈 코로나19 연쇄 감염…방찬·리노·현진 확진 (공식입장)" [Stray Kids COVID-19 Serial Infection…Bang Chan, Lee Know, and Hyunjin Confirm]. YTN (in Korean). Retrieved March 22, 2022.
^Lee, Duk-haeng (April 8, 2022). "'뮤직뱅크' NCT DREAM, 오마이걸 누르고 1위…'무한 버퍼링' 퍼포먼스 [★밤TView]" ['Music Bank' NCT Dream, Hit Oh My Girl and Won…'Infinite Buffering' Performance [★Night TView]]. StarNews (in Korean). Retrieved April 9, 2022.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (April 3, 2022). "'인기가요' (여자)아이들 1위→7관왕, 오마이걸·스키즈·NCT드림 컴백[종합]" ['Inkigayo' (G)I-dle 1st Place→7 Win, Oh My Girl·Stray Kids·NCT Dream Comeback]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved April 9, 2022.
^Hwang, Seo-yeon (April 10, 2022). "NCT드림, 레드벨벳·(여자)아이들 꺾고 '인기가요' 1위" [NCT Dream Won Inkigayo Against Red Velvet·(G)I-dle]. TV Daily (in Korean). Retrieved April 10, 2022.
^Jung, Ji-hyun (April 9, 2022). "'음악중심' 엔시티 드림, 1위 "시즈니에 보답할 것"…수호·오마이걸·아이브 컴백 [종합]" ['Music Core' NCT Dream, 1st Place "I Will Reward Sydney"…Suho·Oh My Girl·Ive Comeback]. Mydaily (in Korean). Retrieved April 9, 2022.
^Ji, Min-kyung (April 1, 2022). "스트레이 키즈, 美 'MTV Fresh Out Live' 출격..글로벌 대세 굳히기" [Stray Kids, sally 'MTV Fresh Out Live' in the US, Solidifying the Global Trend]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved April 1, 2022.
^"Stray Kids、日本6公演で6万人熱狂「もっと努力してまた会いに来ます」" [Stray Kids, 60,000 People Were Enthusiastic About 6 Performances in Japan "I Will Work Harder and Come to See You Again."]. Oricon (in Japanese). July 28, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
^Kim, Jong-eun (November 29, 2022). "새로운 이름으로 돌아온 '마마 어워즈'…BTS 대상·스키즈 2관왕→카라 컴백 [TD현장 종합]" ['MAMA Awards', come back with a new name… BTS Daesang, SKZ Won 2 Awards → KARA Comeback]. TV Daily (in Korean). Retrieved November 30, 2022.
^Kim, Hye-mi (November 23, 2022). "카라·스키즈·ITZY·투바투, '2022 MAMA AWARDS' 퍼포먼스 깜짝 스포일러" [Kara · SKZ · Itzy · TXT, '2022 MAMA Awards' Performance Surprise-Spoiler]. News Inside (in Korean). Retrieved November 30, 2022.
^Seon, Mi-kyung (December 1, 2022). "스트레이 키즈, '2022 MAMA' 3관왕.."올해 뜻깊은 기록 준 팬들에 감사"" [Stray Kids, '2022 MAMA' 3 Awards.. "Thank You to Our Fans Who Gave Us Meaningful Awards of the Year"]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved December 1, 2022.
^Lee, Seul (December 17, 2022). "엔딩은 진짜 Y2K 보아 '넘버원'…코요태→뉴진스 세대 통합 (종합)[KBS 가요대축제]" [The Ending Is the Real Y2K BoA 'No.1'… Koyote → New Jeans Generation Integration [KBS Song Festival]]. Xportsnews (in Korean). Retrieved December 17, 2022.
^Jeong, Hye-won (March 24, 2023). "스트레이 키즈, 美 인기 토크쇼 '지미 키멜 라이브!' 출연 확정" [Stray Kids, Popular American Talk Show 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Appearance Confirmed]. SpoTV News (in Korean). Retrieved March 24, 2023.
^"『ベストアーティスト2022』出演順タイムテーブル 全39組が出演" ["Best Artist 2022" Timetable in Order of All 39 Artists Appearance]. Mynavi (in Japanese). December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
^Ji, Min-kyung (March 25, 2022). "'뮤직뱅크' 스트레이 키즈, 출연 없이 1위..하이라이트·레드벨벳 컴백[종합]" ['Music Bank' Stray Kids Won Without Appearance..Highlight·Red Velvet Comeback]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved March 25, 2022.
^"Stray Kids、「MANIAC -Japanese ver.-」の先行配信がスタート!" [Pre-Release of "MANIAC -Japanese ver.-" by Stray Kids Has Started!]. Stray Kids Japan Official Website (in Japanese). Epic JYP. May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.