On June 3, 2024, High Up Entertainment announced that STAYC would be releasing their first studio album titled Metamorphic on July 1.[1] Eight days later, the trailer film was released.[2] On June 16, the track listing was released with "Cheeky Icy Thang" announced as the lead single.[3] On June 23, the first music video teaser for "Cheeky Icy Thang" was released.[4] The highlight medley teaser videos was released on June 24 and 25.[5] The album was released alongside the music video for "Cheeky Icy Thang" on July 1.[6]
Prior to the release of Metamorphic, on July 1, 2024, STAYC held a live event aimed at introducing the album and connecting with their fanbase.[7] Additionally, to commemorate the release of the album, they opened a pop-up store event in Seoul, South Korea, running from June 28 to July 21.[8]
Metamorphic received mixed-to-positive reviews from the music critics. Gladys Yeo of NME praised the album for showing the girl group's musical range, writing that STAYC "pushed themselves to their limits, exploring a myriad of new soundscapes and subject matter."[10] Han Sung-hyun, in a mixed review writing for IZM, described it as a "passive collection of attempts that lack the symbolism of a first full-length album."[9]
^Moon, Wan-sik (June 3, 2024). 스테이씨, 데뷔 첫 정규 앨범 발매..7월 1일 'Metamorphic' 공개 [STAYC releases his first full-length album since debut..'Metamorphic' released on July 1] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024 – via Naver.
^Im, Min-ji (June 12, 2024). 스테이씨, 비밀 찾는 소녀들..정규 1집 트레일러 필름 공개 [STAYC, girls looking for secrets..1st full-length album trailer film released] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Retrieved June 27, 2024 – via Naver.
^Jang, Woo-young (June 17, 2024). '7월 1일 컴백' 스테이씨, 타이틀곡은 'Cheeky Icy Thang'..발칙한 변신 ['Comeback on July 1st' STAYC, title song 'Cheeky Icy Thang'..a cheeky transformation] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved June 27, 2024 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (June 24, 2024). 스테이시, 발칙해졌다...180도 달라진 신곡 뮤비 티저 [STAYC became cheeky...New song music video teaser that has changed 180 degrees] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved June 27, 2024 – via Naver.
^Son, Jin-ah (June 26, 2024). '컴백' 스테이씨, 새로운 음악적 질주...정규 1집 전곡 하라메 공개 ['Comeback' STAYC, new musical run...Full-length 1st album highlight medley released] (in Korean). MK Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2024 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (July 1, 2024). 틴프레시 벗은 스테이씨, 오늘(1일) 데뷔 첫 정규앨범 발매 [Teen Fresh's STAYC releases their first full-length album since debut today (1st)] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved July 1, 2024 – via Naver.
^Oh, Ji-won (July 1, 2024). [Y현장] '테디베어'는 잊어라...스테이씨, 발랄 아닌 발칙 택했다 (종합) [[Y Site] Forget 'Teddy Bear'...STAYC chose to be cheeky rather than cheerful (comprehensive)] (in Korean). YTN. Retrieved July 1, 2024 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Hee-yeon (June 19, 2024). '7월 1일 컴백' 스테이씨, 28일 팝업 오픈...사전예약 없다 ['Comeback on July 1st' STAYC opens pop-up on the 28th...No advance reservation] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on July 1, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024 – via Naver.
^ abHan, Sung-hyun (July 2024). "Metamorphic". IZM (in Korean). Retrieved July 27, 2024.
