Maniac (Stray Kids song)

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.

[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.

[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.

"[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.

[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).

[65][66] Stray Kids performed the Japanese version at NHK General TV's Venue101 on June 11, broadcast from World Memorial Hall, where the group held the Kobe show of their concert tour,[67] as well as Best Artist 2022 on December 3, alongside "Circus.