SM Entertainment has been into their pre-releases lately, teasing anticipated albums with a full song weeks before the rest of the tracks are set to drop. Following SHINee and EXO, NCT Dream are the next group to give us a taste of their new sound. And though Broken Melodies may not reinvent any wheel, it’s a sonic shift for the guys.
At its best, Broken Melodies attempts a sort of glam rock stadium stomper. It’s more ‘anthemic ballad’ than ‘rock god workout,” but the guitar-led production gives it a surprising level of drama. The song takes its time to build to an honest-to-goodness climax, making for a satisfying and full listen. I was taken aback by the bridge in a good way, not expecting the instrumental and performance to crest with such heft. But this sense of theatricality weaves through the entire track. Just listen to those airy backing vocals during the chorus. Very glam, indeed!
Speaking of choruses, Broken Melodies‘ hook is the one element I’m not completely sold on. The chanted refrain feels like the kind of canned “anthem” you’d hear in TV commercials or campaign rallies. It’s propped up by a fantastic arrangement, but I wish the melody truly broke free with sky-high vocals and a sense of abandonment. Even so, Broken Melodies is a highlight that marks a welcome shift in SM’s NCT sound. Here’s hoping the full album will continue to explore new territory.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I love it and I cried to it on the first listen, SM better not give them reheated 127 track/Hot Sauce/Glitch Mode for the main track
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I liked Glitch Mode, but Hot Sauce sure was something…….. 💀
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for me it’s the opposite, Hot Sauce grew on me but not Glitch Mode. the guitar dance break is the only highlight of that song.
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oh wow oh wow i’m actually super super into this one! it’s got a melody i can sing along to! it feels comfortingly familiar and warm and nice, but also it’s got just that little bit of drama that makes me want to keep listening! (it’s making me want to end all my sentences on exclamation marks!)
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On first listen, I’m not really sure how I feel about it. Definitely unexpected (and not in a bad way!) and I’m very happy it’s not Hot Sauce esque (even live I still hated that song tbh). Very nice melody and instrumental, extra points for not throwing in a random rap in the second verse – they did an ‘After Like’ end of bridge high paced rap instead which was much more fitting!
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is cute, is what I can say. Sound very western.
But is not the type of music I seek to listen or add to playlist.
What I mean is the song is cute they sing super well but I am not sold to it. I actually love Ay yo o.o
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I’m really, really into the song and everything it’s got, except the chorus. Too canned, too feeble for a track like this, especially considering that it evokes strong anthemic vibes. Still, thanks God we didn’t get another piece of noisy schlock reheated in a microwave.
8.5 for me.
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the bridge alone is one of the best things I’ve heard all year, and the rest of the song delivers—imo the chorus is not actually that canned sounding, could be better but it’s 2023, at least there is a chorus.
As a pre release this could be Without You’s sonic sibling (if not as amazing). please, more of this for the title track SM.
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Whatever genre this is I could absolutely go for more of it. I’m gonna go ahead and say this is probably going to be a staple on my playlist for the summer.
Honestly I’m still in semi disbelief that we are getting full albums from Shinee, Exo, and NCT Dream in such rapid succession. It makes the first half of their year seem kind of empty in comparison, and of course there is the fact that SM’s kind of been on fire recently and not in a good way. Here’s hoping they can deliver some fire music instead. As always though I’ll believe it when I hear it, fingers crossed!
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I like it a lot but there is definitely something missing melodically. I’ll probably give an 8.5 with Nick’s criteria but because I heavily emphasize on vocal delivery as well, a song like this will easily shoot into 9, but will probably not rise further in the future. I’ll wait and see how the chorus ages as the melody is my main gripe with it too.
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contending with I AM by IVE as SOTY 2023. 9 for me
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This one sparks my 2012 One Direction nostalgia. I’ve been listening to a lot of Niall Horan lately, and this fits right in in my opinion. I love it. Yes please!
This type of song is what I classify as a ‘happy crying’ song. It makes me want to walk (or drive) through a field with the sun setting, reflecting on how lost yet content I am in life. It is the sound of being hopeful.
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I feel that I’m way pass the age to like this song, but here I am, listening to it once a day. These boys have lovely vocals and the mv is gorgeous. My spotify’s on repeat playlist showed me that after I Know by Fiona Apple and Mariners Apartment Complex this is my most played song hahahaha
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