Oh, we’re so back. Sooo effing back. DREAMSCAPE fells like a perfect continuation of where things left off from DREAM)(SCAPE, and I’m so here for it. I suspected this when they released the pre-release “Rains in Heaven”.
Oh! I didnโt realize how new this is new song is. Bro. Weโre soooo back. AHHHHHHHHH. The harmonies, the choreo, those white outfits. Ultimate slayage.
– Me in my NCT DREAM Fave songs pt 2 article.
But it’s nice to have that confirmation. In that article I initially mentioned Mark said at my show (and others I’m sure) that there was another album coming soon. But that was September, I thought he meant soon meant like January, maybe December. Not November.
I know the boys have said they were recording the album while touring (no surprise considering how busy they are, especially Mark and Haechan), but I don’t think that made a difference quality wise. Tons of artist have done that. Nothing new, but I think that just shows their talent and work ethic. Because this album is flawless. So let’s get into it.
“INTRO : DREAMSCAPE” is good. Love an NCT album intro. Really sets the sound for DREAMSCAPE well without spoiling anything. I don’t go back to them often, not like I do the interludes. “When I’m With You” is that girl ๐ ๐พ. I wasn’t expecting a dance/house track as the title.
Man Renjun’s smile at the :09 mark is so heartwarming. But then he nearly kills the mini Dreamies with an apple, lmao. This music video is so entertaining. I love the loop, cause and effect thing going on. Mark almost getting left behind after Jeno removes the apple from the tracks.
I’m obsessed with Jaemin’s black sweater baggy jean’s combo. The styling in that scene for the entire groups is chef’s kiss. I really like the gray slivery ones too. The scene with Haechan and Chenle all glittery and in the clouds feels like something I would have included in too as a director, just because. This is such a bright, upbeat track. Totally one of my fave title tracks from them.
Jeno thumbnail let’s gooooo. “Flying Kiss” is the third song on DREAMSCAPE, and it starts off slow, then picks up the pace a bit. Not as upbeat as “WIWY” but you can still groove to it. There are a lot of mullets going on here, lol. They had some fun with their hair this era.
I like it. I really like that shade of blonde on Mark, but I don’t think there is a color he’s had that hasn’t been a great fit. He clears again. I really love a good DREAM harmonizing moment, like in the chorus.
“Oh my God”, the first words out of my mouth, seeing Mark in this… what do they call these? Official Audio video clip things. Visualizers. That was the term, lol. It took me working on the Yves article to finally remember the word. I love the gif, repeat thing in these SM audio videos. I eat them up every time.
Mark looks so gorgeous. Get out of here!! I wasn’t ready for all that. JEEZ. Anyway, back to our regularly scheduled programming. “i hate fruits“, I like this song. Same vibes as “When I’m With You”, minus the house sound. Dreamies are in their love era for real.
“No Escape” brings us back to that NCT (Futuristic HipHop)sound. I really like this one because it feels like it could have been on DREAM)(SCAPE and I dig the connection. “Best of Me” dives deeper into this sound shift on the album. I love how subtly an NCT album shifts in tone, it’s always so smooth. Towards the end of “Best of Me” there are some vocal distortions and I love love love that in songs.
“You” slows things down again, but this time we do get a bit of a Jazzy, LoFi moment about halfway into the song. It’s so unexpected but doesn’t take you out of the song. “Heavenly” I knew I’d like from the way “heavenly, heavenly, heavenly” was sung in the first like five seconds of the song. Just like there was this subtle transition from the Dance vibes of “WIWY” and “i hate fruits” to “No Escape” and “Best of Me”.
They did it again with “You” and “WIWY”. I like how it breaks up the different segments in this album and keeps you on edge in a good way. I keep thinking, “Okay, what’s next? Something similar or a change in sound again?” But it’s nothing that sounds Frakenstien. Everything makes sense on this album. “Night Poem” is easily like my third fave song on the album. I just love the “ahhs” in the chorus mixed with the beat. This is a fun track to vibe to.
“Off The Wall” feels like a throwback/call back to something the younger Dreamies would have released. Like something We Go Up era. Or even as recent as Hello Future. There really is something for every DREAMzen on here. Okay, last song!
We’re coming a bit full circle with “Rains In Heaven” as the album ender.
This song is soooo effing good. The harmony, the lyrics, the beat, they excelled on this one. God tier track right here. The more I hear it, the more addicting it becomes. And it’s all in English. So they really wanted us to get it and be included, lol. My favorite line is, “I won’t let you fall down, unless you’re in my arms.” I’m foaming at the mouth, that’s romantic and smooth af. If there’s one song you take away from this article, it’s gotta be this one, for sure.
So normally in my full, reviews I’ll talk more about production and who wrote what, and contributed what. I’m a bit inconsistent with my Quick Thoughts. But if you’d like more info on that, check that out here. I had to shout out Mark and Haechan’s involvement on DREAMSCAPE. Mark specifically on “When I’m With You” for lyrics and music and “i hate fruits” which, like, I feel is a given. There’s something about Mark’s pen that’s so uniquely him, I could spot it in the dark from Saturn at this point.
Then our boy Haechan for lyrics on “Best of Me” and “Flying Kiss”. Our we surprised the Leo and Gemini understood the assignment? No. I love when my team knows what the people want.
So those are my quick thoughts on DREAMSCAPE. I have so much love for this album and it’s starting to get tricky with how I’m going to rank all these phenomenal releases. 2024 musically has been wonderful for Kpop. But what are y’alls thoughts? Have you checked out DREAMSCAPE yet? If so, what’s your favorite song off the album? I feel like I haven’t fully decided yet. But it has to be either “WIWY” or “Rains in Heaven”. Leave your thoughts in the comments!
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Take Care!
Ash๐ซ