Many expected Dreamcatcher to participate in this spring’s Queendom, and they certainly would have brought a unique perspective to the series. Instead, they’ve released their second full-length album, proving again that the music itself remains the most important focus. Their rock-infused sound can be found elsewhere in the world, but it’s been a unique twist for the K-pop industry. With new single Maison, the group continues to mine the charms of this genre, mixing things up a bit to create a standout single.
Maison is tight and focused, and that’s evident right from the start. The song immediately launches into its killer guitar riff, bringing energy and drive even before the first verse begins. This instrumental only grows more robust, joined by synth and – eventually – a warped choir of vocal layering. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Before Maison hits its theatrical finale, it moves through a lean and punchy arrangement. I love the texture of the chorus. It feels halfway between guitar distortion and rugged synth. The melody is sharp and rhythmic, echoing the rapid-fire attack of the production.
Three-fourths of the way through, Maison gains intensity. The percussion hits harder as the melodies become grander. Backing vocals add a sense of rock opera pomp. This segment could stand to be even more soaring and over-the-top, but the track does a nice job shifting gears without completely losing the plot. In fact, one of Maison’s biggest strengths is its continuity. Its pieces build naturally from one another, crafting a whole that never dips or runs out of steam. It’s right up there with the group’s strongest title tracks, delivering a welcome burst of rock intensity as many idol acts are opting for laidback city pop vibes.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
More heat than light.
Actually, the song is OK, but it could use better soundscaping, viz keep the verses at that intensity but then the chorus is a soft menacing growl. It hits at the same intensity right out of the gate and then stays essentially at that intensity for the full time (minus some 10 seconds in the middle). Like hot sauce on everything so everything tastes like hot sauce. But really the chorus, they are so busy spitting out the “see my home in the jungle / ocean / desert” line (or whatever it is) that it has no passion or art behind it. Rushed. I want to hear how it comes out live live, what the girls can do with it.
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Oh I loved the song for site, some fans were worried about how it would sound because of medley but here we rare! Love building and evrything on it, I felt every beat and message they want to show, it’s fresh but them at the same time. I only wish for less green sreen on the video but there are som beautiful frames on it hahahah. But yeah this is in fact of my fave titles from my faves.
There was só many drama beacause of the teasers but i’m over it and ready to sit dow and listen to the album.
By the way, this my first comment on the blog and I just want to say that I love You NICK.
Ulisses from Angola, Africa.
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Você é da Angola? Oi do Brasil!
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Sou sim hehehe, oi.
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Oh I loved the song very much, some fans were worried about how it would sound because of the medley but here we are! Love building and everything on it, I felt every beat and message they want to show, it’s fresh but them at the same time. I only wish for less green sreen on the video but there are some beautiful frames on it hahahah. But yeah this is in fact one of my fave titles from my faves.
There was so many drama beacause of the teasers but i’m over it and ready to sit dow and listen to the album.
By the way, this my first comment on the blog and I just want to say that I love You NICK.
Kisses from Angola, Africa.
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rare moment of complete disagreement but this has to be one of my least favorite DC titles, not even sure if I like it much
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Oh man, sorry for grammar up there my phone is going hard on me hahaha
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Love this one. I’m glad that the girls tried out something new for themselves, and I think this rock opera concept suits ’em a lot. When I listened to it for the first time, it didn’t do much for me. But now I’m deeply in love with the song. My rating of Maison is 8.75, same as yours
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wow
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on loop
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As someone who hadn’t been completely sold on Dreamcatcher previously, this is their best title track to date.
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I had to run upstairs for the good headphones – I really like this one! My first listen I thought it might give Scream a run for its money, but it doesn’t hold up quite so well on the good headphones. The album is absolutely delivering so far, too. I’ve listened through “Together” and keep repeating tracks. “Starlight” is maybe the highlight for me so far? I could see a different group using it as a title and I’m glad they didn’t, but it really pumps some solid energy into the retro trend.
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Disclaimer: I consider myself a Dreamcatcher fan and have several of their songs in my playlists. As such, anything I write beyond this point is not intended as criticism, complaint, or contempt.
I remember when they emerged from the MINX chrysalis as badass butterflies and I squeed like a preteen. They’ve since stayed on a tried and true path of giving the world a marvelous fusion of K-Pop and J-Rock (J-Pock?, K-Rop?, Krock? Jop?, …nm). They’re doing what most people say they want their other favorite groups to do; find a niche and build a sound. That doesn’t mean there’s no room for experimentation, but don’t abandon your style altogether.
Are there other groups doing the K-Pop/J-Rock thing better? I think some songs from Pink Fantasy hit a little harder than anything from DC. Then there is PIXY’s “Wings”, which think really kicks like a mule; perhaps more so than DC or PF. If I were to draw comparisons, then I’d use 70s Glam Rock. Dreamcatcher is David Bowie, Pink Fantasy is New York Dolls, PIXY is Alice Cooper? KISS? I’d love for a K-version of Queen.. ..that’d be something.
In the end, Dreamcatcher has accomplished what is becoming increasingly rare; a signature style. I rely on that when I hear they have a comeback on the horizon. I know I’m going to be able to scratch that itch. Could they hit a little harder? Sure, but there are other groups out there filling that need as well.
Okay.. ..”Maison”. Yep, I really, really like it. I want to let it steep for 2 or 20 more listens, but it’s looking like one of my top 5 from the girls.
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loveeeee it!! ended up liking the chorus a lot through the song + i really like dami’s rap this time around since it lets the song ebb and flow well. the bridge is great and the build up rocks.
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Disclaimer : DC is my ult gg and the one that brought me back to kpop lol so maybe a little biased here… 🙂
I really really loved this one! Actually the instrumentals did it for me!❤❤ That guitar riff, that intense beat which hits HARD in the chorus but is so hard everywhere else as well!!! And there’s even another layer in it where there’s this note im the background that is sooooo good but because I don’t know a thing about music I don’t even know how to describe it!😭
The vocals are perfect! They all shone fantastically with Jiu, Handong and Gahyeon really standing out for me! Especially Jiu because that chorus where she does the “Jungle” part just hits so different!!
Also…. the MV is cool and the girls look drop-dead gorgeous.🙃
I agree this definitely is one of their strongest and for me DC songs age like wine – And I have a feeling a few years down this one would really stand out!
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First listen I found the chorus a little grating, as immediately catchy as it was. Second listen though I think I’m sold, the guitar is sick. The album preview sounded really good so I’m excited to listen to it later!
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A good song overall. Was really hoping that the chorus would hit a little harder. The last 40 seconds really save the song from being mediocre.
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It’s not my personal favorite from them but it’s certainly a solid song! Loved Dami’s long rap a lot, I think she usually gets smaller but split-up parts. I have a feeling that lyrics for Maison were written before the instrumental and so the melody kind of had to follow the already-created path so it is perhaps a bit more tame than it could’ve been? The lyrics are a gem though (I know some people found the chorus a bit corny but the actual verses really deliver, I suggest everyone checking the translation out). Overall, a very solid comeback and the album delivers as well!
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Something about this feels very boys republic to me lol. I can’t figure out why that’s the connection I’m getting.
I’ve in always really liked dreamcatcher songs and appreciated how they have a core sound and concept. However, I feel their songs don’t have as much replay value for me because of how angsty they can be. I actually listen to their b sides more because of that. Maison is very exciting and makes me wanna run. I also like the message of the song and it’s easy to sing along to . For those reasons, this might be my favorite dreamcatcher single
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Is just me or the girls have been stronger than the boys this year so far?
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Not just you!
I mean, I don’t think either have been particularly strong so far this year, but the girls have had more highlights.
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I don’t know if it’s just me but I feel like this is more grunge, maybe punk-rock influenced? Whereas before the rock influence felt more metal. In any case, I prefer this!
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I love it now. At first, it wasn’t what i expected. But then in the second listen i started to appreacite for what it is and not for what i wanted it to be. Now i’m sold!!! I live the girls and i really like the CGI.. it looks like they are in a game i like that so much!
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I love it now. At first, it wasn’t what i expected. But then in the second listen i started to appreacite for what it is and not for what i wanted it to be. Now i’m sold!!! I live the girls and i really like the CGI.. it looks like they are in a game i like that so much!
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Yeah, I love this. At least one person on Twitter compared it to some of Muse’s material, and while admittedly such a comparison may not be the most helpful because of the sheer diversity of Muse’s music I get where it’s coming from. I love Muse, btw, so that can only be a good thing.
It’s so refreshingly focused and never loses momentum, as you say. Too much of modern K-Pop just meanders along aimlessly posturing. No needless breakdowns or whatever, just a hard-hitting groove and a sneakily catchy chorus. Then that bridge. I get people wanting more of it, and it’s absolutely the best moment of the song but I think that just saving it for the end is fine when the rest of the song is solid anyway and too much repetition could dilute it.
Where it ranks among their title tracks? I dunno yet. Too early to say. Admittedly you enjoyed “Scream” a lot more than I did but again for me a “weak” Dreamcatcher track is still one I would listen to a lot; I prefer this one. I think this is solidly in the middle, and I see it aging well.
Also, I wonder what your Buried Treasure would be this time around. 😀
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I like it more than their titles from last year but more importantly… starlight for buried treasure? 👀👉🏻👈🏻
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This was really good! I haven’t really been truly enjoying K-pop since Key’s album, but this was a fresh addition that goes beyond the OK-pop of the last several months. Maison is classic DC. I can’t get enough of their edgy rock sound, it’s so satisfying to listen to. Dami’s rap was killer, which is nice since I haven’t really enjoyed her parts in recent comebacks. It’s definitely not my all-time favorite DC song, but it’s definitely up there.
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It has become a solid 9 for me! Every time i enjoy it more and more!!!
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Dreamcatcher generally has very strong choruses but maison’s has to be my least favourite one from them so far. I enjoy everything about this song BUT the chorus, which is unfortunate given how often it repeats its hook “save my home in the ___” and how short the verses + prechorus build up was.
I wish the extended chorus in the end was the actual chorus, and the hook “save my home (etc)” the post-chorus refrain instead, because I think that would’ve given the group and the song more to chew on
(the bridge – extended chorus is SO good)
as usual, im curious if you would review any of the rest of the album! I think starlight’s a good take on the retro trend, but there doesn’t seem to be any standout b-sides like black or white/ whistle
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I agree that it lacks a strong chorus! I’m a huge inSomnia and I’m addicted to the song nonetheless, but it’s also the first thing I thought, and a disappointment for me. I think the melody in BEcause’s chorus was more interesting for example, or in Deja Vu which is my favourite song of theirs! But for Maison maybe something like Odd Eye’s chorus would have worked really well.
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Dreamcatcher is so consistent with their sound. This comeback is great!
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We should also appreciate the message of the song. The release is very timely.
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