[Tier 3] SKZ - Top (MV + Japanese Version)
Added 2024-04-26 22:54:28 +0000 UTCNow this one had WAY more things to talk about than we initially expected, so we're going to have to ask for some links (to English version if there is one as well as a live performance video if there is one).
You'll hear us talk a lot, so we won't write much here but we even went ahead after recording this song to research the head sound engineer and everything to continue our discussion XD
This is what's so fun about music for us so it was a blast dissecting and talking about the music on AND off camera!!
:D Hope you enjoy this one, and don't forget to let us know what you thought about TOP!
PS. Also, very cool title because it can refer to the 'top' of something (which is fitting for the webtoon it's based on) but also top litearlly means tower (탑) in Korean and as you know, the webtoon IS named Tower of God - 신의 탑.
Thought it's quite fitting.
Comments
Now you need to watch the English version! Round it out :) Always fun to watch with you guys! P.S. Banana Cake
Eileen
2024-05-01 22:18:23 +0000 UTCOk, now I get the Banana Cake. 😂 I definitely didn't like this one at first (and I LOVE like 99.8% of SKZ's songs). I don't know what it was exactly that I didn't like... Part of it was probably that I couldn't really hear SKZ vocals that well. :/ It still isn't one of my favorites, but i do like it because it makes anything I'm doing in life sound Epic. I'm interested to see what you guys think about the english and live verseions! :)
Estelle S
2024-04-30 12:02:54 +0000 UTCTop (Japanese version) MV is my first impression of discovering more about Stray Kids after watching their 'Slump' performance on THE FIRST TAKE channel. I was surprised and impressed with their music arrangement in this song. I love how they combined so many genres with classical string lines and created their own sound. I'm fine with the mix, but I understand your perspective. I went ahead and watched the anime Tower of God, but I couldn't figure out all the things on the MV. Then, after I read the webtoon until I finished the second season, I got to understand the MV clearly. Hyunjin took the role of "Plum" in the second season. He needed to act like an evil to save his friends and prepare the situation to help them get out of the tower. The storyline of the MV is still connected to the SKZ universe, which I mentioned before. This is the parallel path after SKZ took a system bus in Yellow Wood. IN. knew he didn't have to fight with the wind. (On LAVENTER, finally, they embraced the wind. Comparing all versions, I love the Japanese version. The best fits and impactful.
Neuter Lover
2024-04-29 05:48:01 +0000 UTCFirst, banana cake second I actually prefer their outro for Tower of God more than the intro much like you guys mentioned the instrumental muddies their vocals and you'll REALLY hear that in the English version of TOP. I feel like with the outro you really get to hear all of their voices so well because it's a much more mellow song and you can really hear it even better in their First Take for Slump. Their English versions of songs are usually hit or miss for me like I don't like the English version of TOP but I really like the English version of Slump. Also you wanted links to live performances of TOP as well as the English version so here you go (I'll also provide the links for Slump as well) English (doesn't have a music video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmmgYL_w6_c Live Performance (Korean): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drCHPnS2_60 Live Performance (Japanese normal): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBZ6Ayye2qI Live Performance (Japanese adapted w/ live band): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5c4__OzpPk Slump (Japanese): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SPnJMGB9u4 Slump (Korean): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWzo_QjJoLQ Slump (English): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90qS-h-oxRo Slump (Live Performance): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oexDoRjCvw Slump (First Take): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7DY0FXJV18
김수미
2024-04-29 05:13:55 +0000 UTCI'll add another banana cake :D
lillie450
2024-04-28 05:23:39 +0000 UTCBanana cake😂
chi
2024-04-28 01:47:44 +0000 UTC🍌 🥮
Denise C
2024-04-28 00:55:26 +0000 UTCBanana cake. Once I discovered skz and started to go through their discography, this was the first song I was obsessed with. I think on Spotify their vocals are more forward. I could be wrong, then again I listen to music way to load on headphones. Their Japanese songs are among my favorite. Not sure why. I hope you will check out their First Take performance of slump. Actually I hope you check out all their First Take performances. There is case 143 Japanese version, slump, scars, lost me and mixtape OH. Will you also check out Scars video, All in and the Sound? Cant wait for more.
Poohbearcubz
2024-04-28 00:05:26 +0000 UTCIts crazy how the way I got into Stray Kids was because of this OST! I was obsessed with TOG and I still am but this song is such a bop! Oddly enough I listen to the english version more often then not, but I have both the English and Japanese version of TOP and Slump in my playlist and I still listen to them to this day!
Camila
2024-04-27 21:32:57 +0000 UTCIdk why this made me feel kind of sad that you guys still haven’t heard The Sound yet. I’m really looking forward that particular album’s reactions lol anyway this TOP Japanese MV is speculated to be very lore heavy which makes parts like Hyunjin and the glass and IN being left sitting alone more significant. Same for Scars. It’s a lot to digest but just wanted to point it out in case no one else does. This is definitely a song where I don’t discriminate listening to a certain version language wise! Loved your insights! Looking forward to livestream today!!
rlm66
2024-04-27 17:58:14 +0000 UTCBanana cake. This is one of my top (lol) Stray Kids songs. I think the weird mixing is something I actually love, the vocals are part of the bgm and the music is part of the hook for me. It’s a really solid anime intro song to me. The outro, Slump, is absolutely stunning too.
Kacey Miller
2024-04-27 17:50:51 +0000 UTCBANANA CAKE :D Listen, I love this song with all my heart but I get what you mean, it's quite loud. This is actually the song that got me into skz, I listened to it while watching ToG along with SLUMP and they were on my spotify most listened song for two whole years before I got into kpop and discovered skz haha they're still my favorites though, I just looooove the pre-chorus and the choreography is so energetic! Answering your questions, usually 3racha are the ones doing the adlibs, in this case is probably Han as you said! Also, I'm not Japanese but I've watched anime since forever and understand the language a bit, and their japanese is very good! There's some odd pronunciation which is pretty normal if it's not your language but even japanese reactors say that they are very good :) ! When they release a japanese song I'd usually prefer it to the korean version since I can sing along in japanese lol, in this case and with SLUMP too, the english version are also really good! I'm glad you're reacting to more TOP versions!! There are a ton of live performances to choose from :D here are some: Special performance video while singing live: https://youtu.be/KKIB-5ammJw Mc Countdown Performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drCHPnS2_60 Kcon Performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIkGW53iCuc Maniac Tour Encore with live band! (this is from last year!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5c4__OzpPk AND THEN WE GO TO SLUMP I'M SO HAPPY!! I won't say much but I often put it on repeat, it's my and Felix's favorite song, and once again, pleaaaaaase react also to The First Take https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7DY0FXJV18&pp=ygUUdGhlIGZpcnN0IHRha2Ugc2x1bXA%3D
Mara
2024-04-27 17:29:42 +0000 UTCBanana cake 😹 I love both the Korean and Japanese version of TOP. And think beside double knot it’s the only song which I listened to both versions.
Lili Grace
2024-04-27 10:24:14 +0000 UTCI'll add the Japanese ver. Special Performance video (live singing in a warehouse): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKIB-5ammJw
Selande
2024-04-27 07:35:32 +0000 UTCBanana cake ;D haha I LOVED it the first time I heard it. And still love it, all versions. Got all three on my playlist. Also, this song was referenced in Kingdom: Legendary War by BTOB when they were choosing which SKZ song to do. Changsub nailed the beginning lol.
Selande
2024-04-27 07:18:12 +0000 UTCOthers already said it, but when you react to Slump you have to watch the One Take video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7DY0FXJV18), they were amazing 😍
Klaramell
2024-04-27 07:16:45 +0000 UTCTOP is the only song i listen to both the korean and japanese versions. Usually when a song is remade in another language i don't like it and stick to the original because it sounds weird hearing them singing different things. But i think you gave me the reason why it works for TOP for me, because the music is so loud and overwhemling that i can't hear the lyrics anyway 😂 I really love it though and i think it was one of the first skz songs that i heard which pulled me into getting to know them
Klaramell
2024-04-27 07:02:23 +0000 UTCAhhhh TOP my ❤️😍💖❣️
Linq1
2024-04-27 06:36:31 +0000 UTCngl i was so happy when they had TOP on their set list for Maniac Tour 😊
jiyongchy
2024-04-27 05:37:59 +0000 UTCI'm not used to the Korean or even Japanese versions of Top because I always listen to the English version so I can sing along 😂 I live that they usually release Korean versions of the Japanese releases because then they can perform them in concert..Top was on the setlist in 2022 and it was awesome to see live! 👌🏽also I have realized I always like the original Japanese releases better versus when they release them in Korean later...they flow better to me..a lot of times the Korean versions don't sound as good to me 🤷🏽♀️😂 but it gives us the chance to get them live in concert so it's nice to have them 😂 and the English version is great as well!
Becca
2024-04-27 04:54:09 +0000 UTCThank you so much for your explanation! I’m yet halfway through, but concerning your trouble with not getting who is singing the parts I could relate to so well! Well, in TOP it is for me not so much of an issue as I watched it in cause of the Live DVD of the Maniac-Tour where it is differently mixed due to being live. But just two weeks ago the OST WHY? Came out and the same issue really bugged me! I had to listen 10 times til I got Chans and Hans Voice sections out. (I went so far as to write /complain to Chan on Bubble why the mixing is so off… ) now I get it, thanks to you!
Ideosycrat
2024-04-27 04:53:56 +0000 UTCSame! I love Top but Slump is definitely my fav of the two. Both are brilliant though.
Pandasnopunk
2024-04-27 04:44:52 +0000 UTCThis could be a unpopular opinion but a prefer Slump than Top ajaja, because of the music and the lyrics that make me feel to much and I fall in love in a instant, also the first take make me loved so much more, but Top in concert IS AWESOME that make me liked so much more, because you can hear the voices much clear, can wait to react to slump to <3
Vale
2024-04-27 04:20:22 +0000 UTCOne of my favorite skz songs!! The choreography is so good
evehsu
2024-04-27 03:33:38 +0000 UTCThat golden disc performance is one of my favourites 💗🤍
Carla Midnight
2024-04-27 03:27:15 +0000 UTCStairs...no cuts here. Lol I love TOP and Slump - 2 of my favorite Japanese releases. I actually cant help but only sing the Japanese version. ALSO - the live performance of TOP is AWESOME - I think if you saw it live you would feel better about the track - vocals are much more clear. I actually love to listen to the instrumental version of this - I wish they released more instrumental version of their songs. You MUST check out the First Take of this! (and all the other but SCARS is my favorite) This one is Osaka MANIAC tour - with the live band - https://youtu.be/N5c4__OzpPk?si=mfNm2XSmssjM8RNu This is Golden Disc - Thunderous/TOP/Wolfgang - starts at 3min - its really short though - just a chorus https://youtu.be/aqdYQdOwFyM?si=7Ik3BSg9CEO8WLDE
Nova
2024-04-27 03:05:43 +0000 UTCOn a separate note...... Did you all see that Han dropped a new SKZ-RECORD today? It's a collab with Bae from NMIXX and it is SO GOOD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B47L5Yl7irc Han-C - That new song ^^^^^ sounds like one that you would really like!
J.A. Moore
2024-04-27 02:02:01 +0000 UTCBANANA CAKE!!! Heehee For "Slump," listen to their live one-take version on the FIRST TAKE channel. (If you want to skip over them talking and warming up, go to the 1:17 mark on the video.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7DY0FXJV18
J.A. Moore
2024-04-27 01:43:19 +0000 UTCIt was originally released in Japanese btw, then they made a korean version and added in the GoLive album. Whe you react to Slump, you have to react it together with their One Take video. Its a youtube platform where they sing the song live in one take.
Sandy Cai
2024-04-27 01:27:40 +0000 UTCBanana Cake. Watched it all. :P Love hearing your perspectives on this song and can't wait for you to see Slump. :D
Purr-Kim
2024-04-27 01:26:21 +0000 UTCI instantly liked this song. I never thought about the song not being grounded. I really love to hear y'alls insights. I hope this makes sense...when I hear a song by other artists (kpop and nonkpop) it sounds like the artist sings "on top" of the music. With Stray Kids, it feels like Chan hears their voices as just another instrument or layer of sound to mix together to create what Stray Kids consider to be their perfect sound to convey what they want musically. So I actually think there are several songs where I think their vocals could be louder but I've come to appreciate I think it is a real creative choice. I could be wrong on all of this but this was the best way I could describe it.
DM Wilson
2024-04-27 01:24:16 +0000 UTCI agree!! You guys will 100% enjoy the First Take version of Slump
Jennifer Truong
2024-04-27 01:07:44 +0000 UTCplease please please please when you do "Slump" check out the First Take version as well! I always really liked TOP, the Japanese version. It's rare when they release 'the other language' that I vibe as hard with it. While anime isn't my thing, I do have this song on my 'cleaning' playlist haha, it isn't their usual sound but I really love the dancing in it BANANA CAKE!!
Tristana Keauna
2024-04-27 01:00:05 +0000 UTCThis is one of the SKZ songs I don't jive with very much. I've never liked it much. It's just discombobulated and muddled. I did like the Japanese video though. It has some interesting visuals.
Star Dust
2024-04-27 00:43:04 +0000 UTCthis is so funny coming from a skz fan (who loves loud music) but TOP was initially too ‘loud’ for me 🥲 it felt overwhelming but like u said, i kinda attributed it to it being an anime OST so i was like Okay Yeah. Makes Sense. i like it now, more than i did on first few listens. but definitely enjoyed their performance more than the actual song tbh
hessa
2024-04-27 00:32:55 +0000 UTCThis is my first time listening to it. The song is definitely very intense but I kind of like it! There’s so much going on but my brain can keep up with it pretty well (might be due to my adhd) the intensity of the instruments really entertained me and kind of hyped me up! I would definitely love to see you guys reacted to other versions/performances of this song so you guys can really break it down!
Paulina Pena
2024-04-27 00:32:31 +0000 UTCi cant wait for yall to react to slump (all versions) , ESP THEIR LIVE PERFORMANCE FOR IT… its one of my fav song from skz <3
hessa
2024-04-27 00:27:18 +0000 UTCWhen I first heard top the instrumental hit me in the face and I love how chaotic it is. I do wish I could hear their vocals a bit better now that you pointed that out. Certain members you can hear better than others. Top is a great song for the gym and I love Skz noise music a lot.
Dina Baybez
2024-04-27 00:17:56 +0000 UTCYes yes yes!
Szank44
2024-04-26 23:52:46 +0000 UTCIt took me time to warm up to this song and I always wondered why because usually I immediately love Skz songs but it’s nice to hear your discussion that lets me understand myself a bit better.
Tracey Okeby Lucan
2024-04-26 23:24:53 +0000 UTCIt’s weird the English version you hear the voices better lol
Juanita W
2024-04-26 23:21:57 +0000 UTChttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drCHPnS2_60 TOP live MCountdown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqdYQdOwFyM Thunderous + TOP + Wolfgang - Golden Disc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXA0inWhwDo English version (partial) with anime video (from Crunchyroll) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmmgYL_w6_c English version - lyrics video (also, yay!)
Quiet Type
2024-04-26 23:18:48 +0000 UTCBanana Cake!!! lol
Jenni Heath
2024-04-26 23:03:21 +0000 UTCOooh if you are doing Slump next you should definitely do their One Take version!!
Jenni Heath
2024-04-26 22:58:53 +0000 UTCTop is TOP TIER!!!
Kumu Leato S. Savini
2024-04-26 22:56:02 +0000 UTCYAAAYYYYY… So HAPPY to be here two days in a row!!! THANKS HANDSOME SAUSAGES!!!
Kumu Leato S. Savini
2024-04-26 22:55:46 +0000 UTCAbsolutely yes, I'm catching up on the other patreon videos but I will be right back to watch this. I didn't expect to be gone for an hour but I'm here and ready to experience this with y'all. Ive never seen the webtoon. Or the animation. Its originally a single and it's the Japanese version and then they did the Korean version and put it on go Same goes for slump whenever you get to it. Lee know looks so goddamn good in this video. I'm pretty sure it's Han singing the top note. Han-C doing the last move is so real. Its such a atrong ending. Lol, I already let you know and I'm not deleting it from my comment. But I did watch all of the video so I did hear what you said and it's not that I didn't watch this. It's just that I'm not going to delete it so 😜. Banana cake 🤣. I think its funny when content creators do that. That's funny. When I first went through their song list if it had a music video I would always listen to it twice because first I would try to do the lyrics which is really hard and then the second time around I won't watch the video and then the third time around I would just go back and forth. But honestly that's what I ended up doing in the beginning because it's also new that my eyes can't focus on just the lyrics. I think even this Japanese version of the song is a part of the stray kids lore because there goes I.N again going against the grain.
Kwestleo
2024-04-26 22:55:31 +0000 UTC
