Stray Kids New Album 'THIS & THAT' Drops August 7 — RUN IT Is the Pre-Release and STAYs Are Already Losing It
π· Photo: @BTS_bighit / for illustration · 2026
STAY, it's happening. Stray Kids just announced their first full album of 2026 — "THIS & THAT" — dropping August 7, 2026 at 1 PM KST. And to make the wait slightly more survivable, they've already dropped "RUN IT" as the pre-release. The teaser alone has fans in a full spiral.
This is big. Their last album was "SKZ IT TAPE 'DO IT'" — nearly nine months ago. This one comes right after a summer of massive shows. The timing is no accident.
What We Know About 'THIS & THAT'
"THIS & THAT" is Stray Kids' first record release of 2026, and their first studio album in approximately nine months. JYP Entertainment confirmed the August 7 date along with the pre-release of "RUN IT," which is described as an anthem about pushing past limits and reaching wider audiences.
The teaser video released through official channels portrays the eight members as trailblazers moving confidently toward a larger stage — all in a striking black-and-white visual with references woven through to the group's history. Very SKZ. Very intentional.
What Is 'RUN IT'?
According to JYP, "RUN IT" captures the expansive energy of a group that has built its identity through self-produced music. It's being framed as an anthem — reflecting Stray Kids' drive to push beyond existing boundaries. Fans who've seen the teaser are calling it a "mission statement" for the era.
This is also very consistent with Bang Chan and the 3RACHA production unit's style — personal, driven, and written like they're talking directly to themselves as much as to STAY.
The Timing Makes Sense
Stray Kids headlined Governors Ball in New York earlier this year — the first K-pop act to do so in festival history. They've been building momentum on the global stage all year. An August album puts them squarely in award season territory. This is not an accident.
Why This Album Matters More Than It Seems
Stray Kids aren't a group that drops albums casually. Every release in their catalog has a thesis. "Miroh" was defiance. "ODDINARY" was identity. "5-STAR" was confidence. "THIS & THAT" — if the teaser is any indication — is something else entirely. It reads like a reckoning. A group looking at everything they've built and deciding what comes next.
The black-and-white visual language is a deliberate choice. It strips away the flashy concept stuff and says: look at the music. Look at the people. That's a confident move for a group that has spent years building one of the most distinctive visual identities in fourth-gen K-pop.
π°π· The Korean Side
Korean fans on TheQoo were quick to analyze the black-and-white teaser visual concept — noting it feels more cinematic and introspective than their recent releases. The phrase "νμ₯νλ SKZ" (expanding SKZ) started circulating in fan communities. Korean STAY communities are already building pre-save threads and streaming guides.
π The Global Side
International STAY immediately started dissecting every frame of the teaser. The phrase "THIS & THAT" is sparking theories about duality concepts — some fans are connecting it to past eras, others think it's an entirely new direction. The fact that it arrives after their biggest US festival run is not lost on anyone.
π The Gap
Korean fans focus on the artistic and conceptual direction. Global fans are focused on the narrative of what this album means in the context of Stray Kids' international trajectory. Both camps agree: this feels like a statement album, not just a comeback.
FAQ
When does Stray Kids' new album come out? August 7, 2026 at 1 PM KST.
What is the pre-release song? "RUN IT" — described as an anthem about pushing beyond limits.
What was their last album before THIS & THAT? "SKZ IT TAPE 'DO IT'" — released approximately nine months earlier.
π Key Details
π️ Album: "THIS & THAT" — August 7, 2026, 1 PM KST
π΅ Pre-release: "RUN IT"
π₯ Group: Stray Kids (8 members)
π’ Label: JYP Entertainment
π¬ Jamie's Take:
"Every SKZ comeback feels significant, but something about THIS & THAT feels different. The black-and-white teaser, the word 'anthem,' the timing after Governors Ball. August 7 might be the moment that proves to anyone still not paying attention that this group is operating at a completely different level. STAY already knew."
Related:
Stray Kids Governors Ball 2026: Full Set List & The Historic Moment
Stray Kids Members 2026: Complete Guide
Stray Kids RUN IT: Everything STAYs Need to Know
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