I am a little late to my review of this album, but like with all NCT albums, I need to let the music marinate. In fact, after reading my 2 Baddies review from last year, I find myself disagreeing with some of my ratings of some of the songs. Who knows? Maybe it’ll be the same for this album, too. Regardless, NCT 127 is back with another full-length album and possibly their last one with all 9 members. Let’s get started with my thoughts on all of the tracks starting with the title track:
Fact Check
Another solid title track by NCT 127. They incorporate a strong afrobeat in their signature chanting chorus and slow it down in the chorus. This is what I consider the epitome of a dance song. With the choreography they incorporate with this music, it is impossible for you to stay still. The chorus dance appears seemingly easy, but is requires intricate footwork that draws inspiration from afro dance. The lyrics are also a message to their haters to go “check the facts” and “check the stats” while comparing themselves to influential art symbols such as the Mona Lisa in the Lourve and Banksy. These lyrics are very bold but definitely get the message across that they are on another level as artists. 10/10
Space
The horn!!! I love the jazzy feel of this song. It’s an upbeat song that I imagine playing in the scene in a movie while the main character from a small town dances around the local restaurant smiling and laughing with all the customers. It gives a comic book feel, maybe even a part of the Spiderverse movies. And true to the name, I feel like if you put on some headphones and lay in bed eyes closed facing the ceiling, you will be transported to space – or even just a space of your own just occupied with the song surrounding your senses as you sink away into an abyss of music. 10/10
Parade
What is NCT 127 without their hard songs? There will always be 1-2 very rap-focused and bass-heavy songs in an album and Parade fills that role very well. I’ll say that this is what I’d put on at the gym while attempting a PR or to simply get your motivation pumped up. The whispers in the beginning as the beat and other instrumentals gradually grow louder gets you pumped for sure. My favorite part is smooth vocal interjections giving the song a melodic twist, but even these vocals are interrupted by sudden chants in between. The staccato rapping is also appealing, but I will say the bridge is not my favorite and is somewhat out of place, but I understand that is the “Neo” sound. 8/10
Angel Eyes
A new sound that NCT 127 hasn’t really attempted before. They fully committed to the 70’s and 80’s sound. This song reminds me Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey. Some of the singers employ a more raspy voice when singing, like Haechan to show a more rough-sounding image. As a very bright rock sound, this is a song perfect for blasting on road trips to get your passengers to hype. I’m imagining leather jackets with the wind blowing through your hair, but not the greaser type of leather jacket – more so the cool 80s heartthrob next to a motorcycle on the side of a highway. This is a nice break from the heavy sounds from the previous song and a good segue into the chill song afterward. 8/10
Yacht
Another song with fantastic use of horns. The horns are actually a sample from Anything by SWV, which is a song from the 90s. I read online that the actual sample comes from a song that is from the late 70s. So far, I am enjoying all the 70s/80s influence that this album has. They definitely have done a great job in modernizing some of those sounds yet altering enough to keep the feel of those decades. The chorus “It’s that perfect ocean view” with the horns puts me on a cruise as our destination welcomes us to the port with fanfare. Honestly, I think the horns are supposed to imitate the birds or any other ocean sounds that you may hear on a yacht in the summer. 8/10
Je Ne Said Quoi
French! I will say I very much prefer the vocals over the rap in this song, but I like the R&B number. The vocals change throughout the song – going from smooth and silky to somewhat funky in some parts and this dichotomy is fun to listen to. I love the bridge and they slayed it as always. Doyoung and Taeil’s clear and bright adlibs near the end of the song contrast with the lower register and calmer tone the other members sing in, which creates a dynamic that just tickles your brain. The rap reminds me of some of their other rap songs – like Dreaming off their chain album. 7/10
Love is a beauty
This is a serenade. I can imagine two people slow dancing and one of them sings this to the other. Or maybe during a wedding, one of the couples starts to pull this out right before the first dance. I will say even the rap fits in this deliberately tender and soft song. The soft enunciation and smooth deliverance make the song more digestible for every listener. I will say this title is deliberately written in lowercase. The singers want to profess the intrinsic beauty that comes with love. And I love the ending part of this song especially Taeyong’s “I love you, I love you” and Mark’s “Love doesn’t come easy, girl, but loving you is easy”. The lyrics are so passionate and just adoration-filled! It’s just too good! 10/10
Misty
Immediately the tone is set in a 40’s Sherlock Holmes investigation. I will say any of their songs named after the weather is so good. In their Sticker album, the rainy night and focus give off the same vibe as this song. If there’s one thing NCT does well, it is R&B! I don’t know what instrument they used, but to imitate the rain, they used something that makes a soft wooden click-clack sound in the background. Some of the piano reminds me of golden hour – jvke very vaguely. I think that this song will fit well in the anime of “Violet Evergarden” especially with the light airy head voice and angelic quality. 9.5/10
Real Life
Surprisingly, NCT did not include a song for their fans like in most of their albums. Then again, this album is considerably shorter than their usual albums. This is a chill pop song that anybody can vibe with. It’s catchy, but personally not my favorite on the album. I will say that I very much enjoy the lyrics. Despite sounding like a very upbeat song about living in the real life, the lyrics portray a slightly different tone. The lyrics tell a story of growth – from a listless person who looks forward to nothing in the world to that same person with their own motivation in the form of a person. It’s a heartwarming story and I’m glad that their form of happiness was tangible and a part of their “real life,” not just in their dreams. 7/10 (10/10 for lyrics though; I cried)