Every so often, a song charms me in spite of itself. NCT Dream’s pre-release BTTF made so many musical moves that usually draw my ire. Its shouty sound couldn’t be more “NCT,” which has become less of a strength as time has gone on. Yet somehow, the song crossed the rubicon of annoyance and wormed its way into my head. Now, it’s time to see if the album’s second title track can do the same.
Chiller‘s opening bars don’t inspire much confidence. Dream ask if we’re “ready for this” as tepid trap beats unfold. I’m always ready for a good song, guys, but what you’re putting down doesn’t sound particularly enticing. From here, Chiller works in fits and starts. It lacks the intense centerpiece that had me coming back for BTTF but feels lighter on its feet. A funk undertone drives the bulk of the track, and Chiller would be far more successful if it had fully focused on this element. Instead, the song dips into momentum-killing slow jam territory too often. Official descriptions will call this “experimental,” but it’s really not. It’s just ill-advised and makes the track harder to approach and fall into.
I’ve never been a fan of rap-heavy NCT Dream tracks as they usually involve a lot of shouting, and the vast majority of Chiller is either rapped or chanted. The chorus is sprightly but slight and the only moments of melody poke through on those bummer pre-choruses. Then there’s the song’s overly languid bridge, which promises “flipping the beat” but only slows things to an even murkier pace. I want to love this, but there’s simply too many elements working against its best interests. Against all odds, BTTF remains the champion.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
Yeah, I prefer BTTF over this as well.
LikeLike
Also, I saw the review before Nick changed the rating.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I will probably be the only one who contends this opinion. However, BTTF to me is SAFE NCT Dream and also signals something quite alarming about SM itself (they can’t move on past glory like Punch, Superhuman and make another melodic champ). This is very evident in Chiller though, the song is a radical Punch but what I admire about this is the fact that KENZIE et al. is not afraid to use the strengths of underground Techno to their side.
What probably helps Chiller to me is its unreliance on chants. The song’s insistence on HEAVY SYNTHS and groove is what works. I’m personally quite tired of SM’s repeated insistence that their neo chants work because it simply is a disgrace to boy group music itself. Anyway, the only good sign is that BTTF and Chiller share the same DNA which is Punch-Superhuman NCT. I guess it isn’t a lost cause at all.
For me Chiller is simply the best NCT Dream release since probably ISTJ. I’d just say this has more Simon Says charm than even NCT 127 can claim.
LikeLiked by 2 people
as a whole, I prefer this over BTTF. the production here works for me. as for the album, it’s good – the vocal production is top-tier. I LIKE IT, DREAM TEAM and That Summer are the best of the bunch.
LikeLiked by 3 people
dream are in a bit of a weird spot right now and have been in the past few years. wish has debuted and somewhat continued the youthfullness concept andn upbeat sound that dream started out with, so when 127 are the louder, more “experimental” unit, wayv are the darker, electronic unit (though sm has seemed to struggle with keeping their identity as a group stable recently as well) and wish are bright and youthful, the question arises what dream means to nct. and unfortunately judging from their past few releases sm seems to struggle with that question as well. the song is fine but i do feel like dream have a lot more potential.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have often confused all the subunits, but I agree that Dream these days have drifted closer to 127. Anytime a group needs a chart and subreddit forum to explain the differences, it is just not ideal.
LikeLike
I share the sentiment that BTTF is the better song of the two. Despite having less melodies, they are more memorable and enjoyable. Rating’s the same. It’s not NCT’s fault, but since so many others in the industry have emulated their style of music, it’s kinda hard for them to stand out with songs like this. Haven’t had a chance to listen to the whole album, but I Like It was nice.
LikeLike
“We don’t follow the rules”. Proceeds to follow the rules.
OK, that was the joke. It really it sounds like 4 or 5 song concepts shoved together awkwardly, which somehow hangs together because the dream kids do their best to just sell it like it is.
LikeLike
something that bother me is an effect SM use since 2024 in their songs. i don’t know what the hell is that effect, but nct dream songs always was a clear power vocal top of the music but from last year till now, they fade their vocal in the music that make their voice electronic and i don’t like it. even irene&seulgi traped in this effect. that make their songs unimportant with useless core effect. you don’t hear their vocal. you just hear some fade voice. and why the hell sm gave scifi abstract concept to all groups? it realy make me sick. like they try to make every groups as fellow of the aespa. nct dream concept means live colorful real world without CG that their vocal is so bold to me. but they changed their way. like in chiller there is no highlight vocal for me. too much rap and i hate it when the song start with talking and that fade vocal effect. and i think haechan is the color and the sign of nct dream songs. but i barely heared any highlight or any line from him. i’m happy chenle had more line but i feel empty cause haechan voice weren’t there really as main vocalist. i think it’s just 7 to me. BTTF is more better.
LikeLike
In the minority here, but this actually works better for me than BTTF. The instrumental has the intergalactic vibe this whole comeback seems to be aiming and the beat during the final chorus feels satisfying
LikeLike
BTTF fell short in some aspects yet I found it more engaging and memorable as a song. The soundscape here is on brand for this era but it serves better as a promoted bside than the 2nd TT. The strike of me liking pre releases more than the main track continues.
LikeLike
Wow this song just blindsided me on first listen!! The switchup in the intro threw me, and I was thrilled to see them doing a funkier type of song. I was riveted just trying to hold on to where the song was going.
On second listen: the prechorus def drops the ball, the chorus needs more of a melodic hook, and bridge is a bit lacking in oomf. But what draws me is how playful it is in many sections and how the instrumental is so texturally rich.
BTTF has more memorable hooks right now for me, we’ll see how I like Chiller once I can grasp it better.
Another point: Compared to other rappers in NCT, I feel like Jeno and Jaemin are particularly shouty in the way they deliver their lines. I get more variety from Taeyong, Mark, and Yangyang’s raps.
LikeLike
To be real, I thought both tracks were pretty cool, I do see how “chiller” the members are trying to bring out confidence and coolness. I think for their next album on November 17th, a different kind of vibe. Something new that they should do is have Mark have an English rap. I mean it’s been awhile, it would be great if he did it again.
LikeLike