As if this day wasn’t already stuffed with enough new K-pop releases, NCT Dream have surprise released a teaser for their upcoming album due out next month. The Sun acts as their first new music since Mark left the group and paints a sentimental vibe that that seems to point toward a more mature presentation in the future.
Pre-releases can be a nice opportunity to promote material that wouldn’t usually fit the mold of a traditional title track. When it comes to idol groups, it’s a way to get more ballad-adjacent songs into the public sphere. NCT Dream have dabbled in slower, more rock driven material before (Broken Melodies being the best example), but The Sun pulls them in a less predictable direction. It’s a song that takes its time, boasting a 4+ minute runtime that’s almost double the length of many of its peers. This allows plenty of space for extended instrumental breaks, swirls of psychedelic harmonies and a general sense of expansiveness.
This approach comes at the expense of slick, taut songwriting, as The Sun often feels more like a series of movements than a perfectly packaged pop song. I think this will pay off in the long run. There’s plenty of moments to explore within the track. My favorite parts — of course — are the peaks of drama where the instrumental kicks up and hits us with a jolt of electric guitar. I wish The Sun would fully lean into this for its climax. There’s a sense of missed opportunity for real payoff, but the music would tease us all the way through. I hope this hints at an equally experimental album to come.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
Simple but pleasing and peaceful. It feels like the song was a little undercooked as the bridge and outro stood out way more than the overall track.
8.25(8,8,8,9)
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their first new music since Mark left the group again*
I like that it’s not a straight up boring ballad. I love the harmonies and production.
the title track is called “Boogie Woogie” I hope it’s not some wack ass song…
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XDDD IT BETTER BE GOOD!!
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Wow, a song that is 4:30 long? That is like forever these days.
There are a lot of lovely like vocal flourishes here and there.
What I notice most is the fluctuations in time. The song is essentially in a fast 6/8 time. Then it shifts to heavy on the One so it sounds like it shifted to 2/4 or 4/4 time but really it just drops out the triplets. Then shifts back. For example at 1:54 6/8 to 2:11 2/4.
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Hey, I got a quick question. Did you go to school for music?
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I have not. I have played piano for a very long time, also violin as a teen, also chorus and vocal ensembles. Now I sing in the car, a lot.
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That’s awesome! I actually was trying to get into piano myself. Do you have any cool tips and tricks for me because I don’t have time for classes but I still want to buy a piano/keyboard for under $150? 🙂
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In my part of the world, some people give away old pianos for free, the “cleaning out old aunt’s house and have no idea what to do with the piano” situation. The harder part of “free piano” is moving it to your abode.
As for playing the piano, remember that neither Paul McCartney nor Billy Joel can read sheet music, or Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder. Don’t be afraid to just muck about. Or play with two fingers.
If you do get an inexpensive keyboard, probably used, the best thing are all the sound settings. Try alllll the buttons, and then try them all out again. Then try picking out 80’s keyboard hooks note by note, because they are usually one handed = “Take on Me”, “Just can’t get enough” “Take My breath away” “Axel F” = all one handed. An easy way to impress friends with your emerging abilities.
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I am sure the song got a wonderful backstories to be told, but I am not sure this is the best way to convey it as people already start to wonder where the song is going to take them at 2 minute mark and are still confused about the destination at 4 minute mark. Its a good listening experience yes but it felt very lukewarm and it s not something that I would actively seek for replay if I am not their biggest fan.
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This song is beautiful, as a matter of fact it made me emotional, it made me stop what I was doing and actually listen. I think I can listen to this everyday and not get tired of it. For that, I’ll say a 9/10
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Not sure I’d rate as high yet, but I feel the same. They’ve always been so good at poignant songs.
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There are songs that are immediate hits for me, and this is one of those. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, they last forever in my heart. Probably has to do with my state of mind when I listen to them and how they make me feel (I can laugh, smile, feel nostalgic and/or emotional).
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nothing special, but i’m a pretty sentimental person so it gave me warm fuzzies. this will be my first nct dream comeback, so i suspect that i wouldn’t enjoy this song as much as i do if it wasn’t for that. just glad to see them back 🙂
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Dream is my comfort group without a doubt, so a song like this from them is totally welcome. I love how the music is given the space to breathe! It feels so much more genuine and thoughtful than the 2 minute trendy songs that a certain segment of kpop has been plaguing us with all year. This just makes me more excited for the album, even if the title track is called Boogie Woogie
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Well, I guess I need to let the song marinate and possible give it a few more listens. I can say that it is pretty, it has nice harmonies and the instrumentals are hopeful and emotional. But I don’t feel captured or compelled in any type of way?
I guess I’ll have to wait for the next single. NCT DREAM has always had this type of more “corny” side, just like with “Rains in Heaven,” which was followed up with “When I’m With You.”
Side note, it’s crazy but this is their second comeback after Mark left. That is both sad but kind of funny at the same time.
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