Stray Kids, a nine-member K-pop boy band, is releasing a new album 'Cle 2 : Yellow Wood," with the lead track 'Side Effect.' The album's songs will be released through music streaming websites from 6 p.m., Wednesday. /Courtesy of Korea Culture and Information Service

By Jung Hae-myoung

Stray Kids, a rising K-pop boy group, have released a new album "Cle 2 : Yellow Wood," as part of their "Cle" series, following up on the first album "Cle 1 : MIROH," released in March. The official release of "Cle 2" will at 6 p.m. Wednesday through music streaming websites.

The album contains seven songs with lead track "Side Effects" showing Stray Kids' EDM, hip-hop and psychedelic rock mix. The beat is heavier than usual while the lyrics describe the members' worries about taking new steps and taking on challenges. Other notable tracks are "Road Not Taken," and "TMT."

In the teaser video that was released n Tuesday, the nine members display powerful and artistic dance moves expressing the meaning of the lyrics. The production team "3RACHA" ― Bang-chan, Chang-bin and Han ― were responsible for the creation of both the music and lyrics for all of the tracks on the album.

Along with the new release, the Stray Kids members were also appointed honorary ambassadors of the Korea Culture and Information Service (KOCIS), Tuesday. This is the first time for KOCIS to appoint honorary ambassadors to represent the organization.

"We appointed Stray Kids as honorary ambassadors for KOCIS to promote Korean culture and hallyu in other countries, and boost the national brand image of Korea," Kim Tae-hoon, a director at KOCIS said.

"We hope more young people in other countries will have their interest in Korean culture increased through Stray Kids' performance and growing popularity abroad," Kim added.

From its debut in March 2018, the group quickly rose to the top among rookie bands after winning "Rookie of the Year" awards last year.

Its previous album, "Cle1 : MIROH," also achieved success, reaching the top of the iTunes album charts in more than 15 countries including the United States.

The group recently finished an international tour which started in January and ended in May. The group performed in Jakarta, Melbourne, Sidney, and Manila as well as cities in the U.S.