It’s here. Yes! It’s finally here! This time I will be on the SoundCloud streaming as well. I forgot about it for a while until I thought about the release.

SPOILER/Disclaimer: Not done! I was beating a deadline I made for myself! I also want to mention that I am a NCTzen and an artist myself just so take what you will with that. I do write my reviews in a style that is similar to a stream of consciousness. So, a lot of thoughts are random and not really planned out. Just like this spoiler/disclaimer. I will also get my information about the songs sound from the SM Entertainment site.

1-Fact Check

About the song: Okay so this is the first song and title song, by default. According to the SM Entertainment site ‘Fact Check’ sound profile is “Afro-rhythm to an intense main synth loop”. It is a dance song and compares them to art.

My thoughts: This is that classical NCT 127 sound I am in love with. Very addicting. I need to hear the Dolby Atomos because I know it’s even better. Now being honest. I really thought it was African Beats and I was right after getting the genre description. I really couldn’t stop thinking about it. NCT Africa? The world will never know (just joking…unless). The beat is very addicting. I know people are going to cut up/eat on this beat. The hook is repetitive in a good way. 

I’m still not with the Aave/slang, but this is good. I shouldn’t have to explain myself, but sometimes it’s just off-putting and it doesn’t fit the song well. Other times it does, we’ve seen it many times in their music (and many other artist). This isn’t an Uncomfy Cushion article, so I won’t say too much. Back to the music! The bridge is very strong, it’s not off-putting, it’s really catchy. And that rap hit fast. I love the high notes as well. The “oooh” has been in my head for a long time. Especially the first time when Yuta sings it. Lately, I have been blasting it a lot more than when I first heard. 

LYRICS: It’s flexing in a way that fits because they can you know? It makes sense. 127 got their vibe and it’s fire. After reading the description for the song it makes a lot of sense why the lyrics are giving off flex with a purpose.

INSTRUMENTAL: I think there’s only one vocal that is in the music itself (the instrumental). The “Aww” sounds like a sample of a song Johnny played for us again on his quarantine video. I won’t name drop here, you’ll just have to find it yourself into another post.  The instrumental was very powerful the whole way through. And that drop at 2:15…omggggg. I love it so much.

2-Space 

About the song: Space is the second song on the album. It is a “medium-tempo pop song” according to the SM Entertainment site. And it is a song expressing the “feeling of falling in love”.

My thoughts: First time listening. Remember I write these immediately without thinking so I apologize.

It sounds like from the beginning it would be one of those beach house beats. I’m happy to hear Johnny get more parts.I’m always happy to see all the members get to show more. Because yes you are in the group, but you all have something to bring to the table. So I am happy to see (and listen) to that! This really sounds like beach house music in a way. Or just house music. You get the vibe.

The space is kinda off putting. I’m not much of a fan of the hook. I was hoping for after the hook ends for there to be another part that I have in my head. I wish I could sing it to you all. Ugh it’s frustrating that I can’t show you. I think it would be a good credit song. Towards the end of the song does pretty good though, I wish that the la’s were in the first ones as well. The ending was abrupt. I thought it would be another count.

I imagine this is a good working song or reflecting song. Because editing the blog it was enjoyable.

Lyrics:  it’s something I can imagine. It’s sexy in a way. Instant connection. What is that outro though? Mark. Explain sir. Yes, I want Mark to explain lol.

Instrumental: It has that calm sound to it. I felt like I was reading a scenario, or I was playing an interactive game. It really feels like House music I have listened to before. I think there’s some voice effects/ voices in the instrumental. I thought I heard a dog, but it was some other sound that played during the second verse. I was very confused for a second. I thought a dog was barking outside my noise canceling headphones and I was going to have to criticize them lol.

3-Parade 

About the song: Parade is the third song on the album. It is a hip-hop song that is reflective of the energy 127 has “cheerful festive mood like a parade”.

My thoughts: I’m waiting for something lit. It’s DEM JOINTZ! The iconic duo. This is giving rap…but now it changed it feels great. This feels weird though there are so many sounds and voices. It’s all over the place, but in an addictive way. I know this was fun to record. Especially whoever was last to record. You got the whole vibe. Wow it never changed. The keys are constantly changing throughout the sound. And the melodies are everywhere.

I can’t even react in a proper way, sorry guys. I love it. There’s things I really love and things that I don’t like too much, but also, I am really in love with it. We love it. I need to listen again though, it’s too hard to dissect. I like keeping my initial thoughts though because it’s really how I think sometimes about experimental music. Also, I’m…that chorus is high af (the octave) and everyone belted tf out of that on the last one. Omg. Boys…y’all good? lol. I’m glad they used this in the comeback stages. I love this song so much. I’ve been watching all of the performances of it. I want to see a mv with them just having fun. That would be awesome!

Re-listening made it so much more fun because I expect most of it. I also watched the lives of this one and I really enjoyed it. But I really hate they cut out the second verses. It’s so lit.

Lyrics: this one reads exactly how it sounds in my interpretation. Let’s just have fun. Enjoy the moment. Don’t hesitate. Get up let’s move. Let’s vibe. At least what I get from it. Let’s get this parade started. Send me the addy. I’m ready! 

INSTRUMENTAL: This is something I already loved so I am happy going into this. I’m just thinking if I went into it and got this beat what would I do. It’s a lot. I like how some of the chorus plays in the instrumental and you’d think they would use it all the way through, but the second time the guide plays, the lyrics and the delivery of the melody changes. Now going into Taeyong’s verse…I don’t know what’s happening. I think we get some nature sounds. I hear birds, some people talking, a horn…I don’t know what Dem Jointz was thinking, but man he’s creative. I think the second verse is more the style I’m used to from Dem Jointz. I hope to work with DEM JOINTZ once in my life. The music is just different. It’s stuff I really love. When it’s around 1:31 it all comes back together. I think the beat is so random that the lyrics help tie it in. I think it’s a perfect harmony.

Live: They predicted this one would do well on the site. I really agree because it is so energetic. And it’s conveyed well in the overall vibe of the song. This one was really, really lively. I don’t think it’s live vocals, but it was fun to watch. And to be fair, dancing and singing is a lot. And they don’t have to prove themselves, you know their voices by now.

4-Angel Eyes 

About the song: According to the site this song is a medium-tempo rock song. And it is comparing your lover to an angel.

My thoughts: So, I listened to this when I watched Fact-Check. I was a little late to the party. I know, I know I’m sorry. I did see that Johnny trending because of his verse on this. Finally, though. We needed to see more Johnny. I need more of everyone. After a break of course.

This is soft rock, I think. I really liked the warm feeling it gave. But it was giving early 2000’s music or 2010’s. I think you know the kind of artist we were listening to with these kinds of sounds. For the purpose of only focusing on ilichi we’re going to just say no names. I really love these kinds of songs. I really like when NCT 127 has songs that balance out and give that happy family-friend vibe. It’s addicting and I wish I was going on a road trip with a bunch of friends with all the vibes.

I love the all and response on the “An-gel” and “Ha-lo”

Lyrics: They were very cute lyrics. To be honest I really enjoyed it. But some lyrics I took innocent because I’m just going to. But is there another interpretation? I wanna know. But it seems innocent and beautiful. I hope the boys will find someone with those Angel Eyes in their life soon. It’s great to mention that Taeyong and Mark worked on the lyrics (and the composing). 

INSTRUMENTAL: The beat is giving the good vibes you reminisce about. Just good, happy times. I think this is every boy group song that we really loved. With the beat it’s giving that and I love it. It sounds so magical and uplifting. It also gives main character. You know like how y/n is watching someone perform and the cameras always go to them. 

5-Yacht

About the song: Yacht is a pop song that uses a “rhythmical brass sound sampling” according to the site. It is capturing that refreshing feeling you get when on a yacht sailing on the sea.

My thoughts: This one reminds me of a different one. And the beat sounds familiar. I like it. Mark is another artist that changes his tone a lot. I love the low tones and high notes. They balance perfectly. 

I want to chill out on a yacht in all white clothes partying. Like a yacht party. That would be nice. The rapping kind of threw it off by the bridge. It was a r-r-record scratch kinda. I like the chill high note, it was really good. The whenever was good at the bridge. I thought it would be longer, but it wasn’t. It worked well though. At the end I would’ve loved a together call and response. Very catchy

Another classic 127 song that also serves well as previews on their content and vlogs. Update: I was right. It got used on the content, which I still haven’t completed. Sorry y’all it’s the no Wi-Fi life lol.

Lyrics: I love a song with amazing ocean lyrics. You know by now I’m a sucker for it lol. But yeah, it just feels like a vibe. I know I use that word a lot, but that’s the word to use for them lol. So yeah, it feels great. I think it’s just two people who are into each other in whatever way, but just vibing lol. I hope to one day write so figuratively. I do it, but not as good as them. The only thing they fail to do is get Mark to explain them in interviews. Lol. But no, this one can be as light-hearted as mentioned in the lyrics.

INSTRUMENTAL: The instrumental is giving the same vibe as the lyrics. That happy fun content. I think the bass gives it that fun that it has too. The guitar is amazing. Now the…I’m going to call it the “Ocean View” horn, it’s annoying after a while. Especially while you’re vibing. Or maybe I’ll call it “Perfect Ocean View” horn.. It’s wild. I love the song’s vibe though.

6-Je Ne Sais Quoi

About the song: This is another hip hop song. It’s message is “we should fill the world with the moments we have dreamed of.”

My thoughts: Transitions are not good from the past song, but I don’t look at transition usually for them lol. I don’t expect.

The pre-chorus is amazing. The chord changes. And honestly, I love it. But the hook initially kinda threw off my vibe. But it fit the verses. But the pre-chorus needed it’s own song. The pre-chorus came back amazingly. I love it. The bridge as well…wow. But then the hook goes back. The last bit comes in and then we get the pre-chorus again. I just really love it. And just wow. 

Listening again, it’s NCT 127, it’s experimental. You end up liking the format after a while. The patterns don’t have to align lol. The bridge to the chorus though…I still can’t. The tempo keeps changing too, which works with the beat accompanying each change. 

Lyrics: Of course the first thing was to translate what it meant. I should’ve did that beforehand, but lyric search isn’t bad. Anyways I decided to search it and it means: “a quality that cannot be described or named easily.” I don’t know if I have a bad mind or not, but 127 does a lot of gaslighting. Take Doyoung saying it was our fault for thinking he was flirting with us. But all jokes aside it’s hard to really interpret if it’s you or the lyrics. It can be taken two ways in my mind. It can be let’s have some fun or let’s have some fun. Especially with the adlibs at the end. Honestly, it’s giving “What you wanna do” from focus, but now we’re in a boring city and not neo city lol! So yeah…tell me 127. What’s up? (With the lyrics of course).

INSTRUMENTAL: The beat goes hard from the beginning. However, it takes second place when the lyrics are present. It feels like someone sampled some pots getting hit with a wooden spoon at some point lol. The two instrumentals from the hook and the pre-chorus is so different it’s interesting. Sorry for the bad terminology, but it’s hard to express this. If I can describe it better later, it will be updated no worries. The scratchy was distracting, but fun (at 1:24) and then we get whistles at 1:35. They’re playing with you mind a little as they are going everywhere, But I love it. You get a long pause before the bridge, and it makes you think you’re not listening to anything anymore and it’s interesting. I love it. The piano (I’m a biased pianist, yes, we exist), I love it. It’s just solid. Then that beat drops in beautifully. The sustained piano to bass drop was a nice one. Then we get piano again and I think synch…but it’s crazy. Then we get the Pre-chorus again. I love it. I think it needed a contrast though, but was it the right one? You know? 

7-Love is a beauty 

About the song: They do not mention this on the site from the page I was referencing. However, Reddit NCTzen’s came through and mentioned it as a “medium-tempo RnB song”. The SM entertainment site mentions it as: “memories and feelings that NCT 127 members have shared while knowing each other for a long time as a team”. Beautiful right?

My thoughts: I heard about this one on my feed. I saw it from a Taeyong account on my explore page (I loved the sound instantly. I needed to get to this album, but I still had some to review). NCTzen’s are on their own level when it comes to promotion. Fans are the best gift to an artist in general. Their love is unbeatable. Taeyong wrote some verses for NCTzens. How are we feeling? I was impressed with that. And you know, whatever the meaning really is or what was said, I’m always impressed when members get involved with the process. I stopped it before the beat dropped because I wanted to give my full attention. 

From the instrumental I feel it’s going to be nice. The beat is beautiful with the singing. It feels like they were feeling the lyrics and were working with the beat and not against it. 

Instantly one of the best. Everyone is singing. And I really love 127 when they do rnb music. The harmonies are great. Okay we got to rap. 2 min in. And it worked and then we get angelic voices and ad-libs. I wish I had this song. Woah. If you saw me shaking my head to that beautiful chord change at the end. It makes me feel emotional. I’m glad I didn’t do the 127 favorites yet. I got lazy, but now this is getting added. The ending is amazing as well. I heard this on ig. I was scared something was going to throw it off. Nothing did. The best one. I moved Fact Check down.

Instrumental: The instrumental was really good. It’s simple, but beautiful. I think that it not doing too much was aiding it. Usually, repetitive things are kind of distracting to me, but I was really happy to hear this one. 2 minutes in we get a difference and I feel like I’m in space. Then it goes back beautifully and pretty seamless into the chorus. The strings in this song. Please SM Orchestra SM Classics…you know what to do. I need to hear this live the best way. The strings are absolutely beautiful. Listening to it I really want to cry. I love it. Is this what love feels like? I’m feeling it all at once. I mainly hear piano, strings, and wind instruments. And they just work together so beautifully. 

Acapella: This song is even more pretty with the acapella version. Because then you can hear the technique more. I like hearing there vocals as raw as I could. And you can hear the rap better too. Johnny’s harmonies were really good on the second chorus.

Lyrics: My lyric page kept fading. It did it on purpose. But man, my eyes became a little watery. Can you marry a song? (Yes, I commented this on Weverse too…sorry, not sorry. I am serious.) Taeil, Mark, and Taeyong worked on lyrics for this song (Taeyong and Mark also helped with the composing).  I don’t really understand the meaning vs the lyrics, but lyricist do that a lot so you have to search for the meaning sometimes.

Live: wow wow wow. I really liked watching it live. I have to say though I really want them to rest their vocals and train them a little more. I think it would make it even better. 

When relistening, I skipped when listening again to the album because I was on a time limit. I’m back to it now and I’m very happy. 🙂

8-Misty 

About the song: Misty was also mentioned in the reddit (and in press) as a Ballad. It is a song according to the SM Entertainment site as a song that compares the suddenness of rain and the thoughts of a lover in your head. Basically, you can’t get them out your head. They appear sometimes for no reason just like on a day where it looked clear of rain, but it shows up.

My thoughts: My phone was about to die from the last song. I love how the beat came in emotionally. I hope they get better and better at singing these amazing songs.

The chorus. Wow. I wonder how they come up with better and better melodies. The harmonies are great too. Another song I wish I was a part of.

The rap works here too. I’m able to naturally groove to it. Great 

Isolated vocals and then the beat comes back. Doyoung’s voice worked.

Johnny’s talking kinda threw it off. 

Coming back to this song…This one is really a good song. The singing goes with this song so well. I felt like they felt this one. Their skills just keep getting better. I love the beat building up before they sing the chorus. The rapping was good like last time. The high note was nice. I think that the narration was still unnecessary, but at the same time it’s kinda nice. I know in Vitamin from the last album (still working on getting that to you all), it helped the song. I wonder why the rain will stop. Do you not want to think about them anymore? Many questions I need answered.

Lyrics: Mark and Taeyong took part in lyrics and composing for this song.

INSTRUMENTAL: We go straight into the scene. I love it. That bass builds up around 52 seconds is just hot. I’m getting soft rock ballad with piano. But I’m not great with terminology or pretty much anything when it come to that. I just make music and listen to a lot of music all lol. I think we hear a voice effects in the chorus as well. I like the magical sounds and water drops (wish they were a bit lower). I think everything just works great. I do wonder though why does everything seem to be added so bluntly. For example, it doesn’t fade out or seamlessly go. I like the piano lead up at 3:16…I do wish it was more seamless as well though. I think it would be great if the voice over wasn’t there on the actual song. The narration is okay, but I think it was strong without it. Just personal preference though.

9-Real Life 

About the song: So, I’m not sure on the genre. I’ll update that later. I did find a description on the SM Entertainment site (sorry I just want to be clear). It’s about how spending each day with your love interest feels like “magic”.

My thoughts: This one sounds like Ruby by Taeyong in a way. Immediately I thought of it. I wonder if anyone else has said that. I didn’t see it though. That distracted me a bit so I might have to relisten again later (which I was already going to do). It’s really good though and addicting the pre-chorus. I swear the sound sounds so familiar. Kinda like another song as well in the SM company, but definitely Ruby. Okay I listened to them back-to-back. Yes, it really reminds me of that song. There’s a bit of a difference, but it’s really really similar. Also looking at the song credits, no one worked on both songs so maybe it’s a coincidence. I wonder if Taeyong or the other members thought the same. Is there a meaning to the parallels or is it no reason at all. Am I reading too much into it? No clue.

It feels emotional, but also optimistic. I like the flow of the rap. The pre-chorus changes key I think of the strings. 

Update: I see a TikTok now with someone showing them both. I knew I wasn’t wrong.

Lyrics: –

INSTRUMENTAL: The beat is hard to not listen to without tying it into the other one that isn’t that one. I really like the strings; they remind me of what I wish I was doing on garage band. I really wanted to make something good on there. You also hear some singing background vocals on here (some singing real life with a voice box effect and others singing other things). I don’t know if they need to be there. But I’m sure it adds dynamic to the song. I have to tell you; I’m always impressed with the team behind songs though. Each effect, each instrument, each preset is handpicked to see how it will work with the song. Which is common sense, but you know, it’s great to acknowledge. 

Rating:

Okay this might be a bit predictable but pretend to be surprised. The streaming site played my favorite again. So yes, it’s getting an unfair advantage. Okay? I need to actually hear a few seconds of each one because I kinda forgot what they sounded like. It happens when listening for the first time to the whole album. I was really tied with ‘Yacht’, ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’, and ‘Parade’. And now that I came back my mind has changed more. I’m very tied y’all. I’m just here. These might change, but here they are for now. My rating…

Based off of sound:

1. Love is a Beauty
2. Fact Check
3. Misty
4. Parade
5. Yacht
6. Je Ne Sais Quoi
7. Real Life
8. Angel Eyes
9. Space

KING’S CROWN UNBOXING:

Final Thoughts…

They really served again. I’m extremely impressed. You don’t know how happy I am to hear more from Johnny in this album sing more. I think it really suits him. I want to hear every side of them that they want to show off. They deserve it. Now technique wise, these boys are working their voices off. Especially after no breaks really, They are very admirable. I just admire their hard work and their consistency. I do wish they can do more music they enjoy. That’s one of my biggest wishes. And music that is their own- yes I’m talking solos. When they are ready. We heard them many times express this, but just whenever they want to.

Listening again, I just really really like the sound of this album. I know the boys were a bit worried. I saw a video of Taeyong asking a fan about how the US was taking the album. I can’t speak for everyone, but I will definitely listening to this one again. This is one of my favorite 127 albums. In my opinion there is a song for everyone on here. Especially my fellow NCTzen’s. I know we all have our preferences when it comes to music. The boys came through with different genres on the album. Different moods, different paces. The site also states: “All nine songs will present the new musical spectrum of NCT 127.” While I disagree a bit on it showing a “new musical spectrum”, I do agree that it was great to hear different songs. I think we have heard similar sounds from them before (not always at once) and that’s what I love them for. I like that they do different things, but it’s not completely new for them, in my opinion. I think lately I’ve been loving the variety we get. And the variety doesn’t sound awkward, they do well. The team is well executed with these things. I’m impressed. I think you should definitely stream it and give it a listen.

Things to work on? I guess we can always get better at our craft. We just get better with time. I want them to pick their own favorite and add it to the album next time. I like that it was 9 songs this time. I want it to be even more personal (I want them to be more involved if they wish). I also want them to get breaks and get that training some of them expressed they wanted before. For vocal health and for unlocking their true potential (in whatever they want to work on and strengthen). I’ll talk about this more on the other article I was working on at the same time. Out soon… But aside from that, I am so impressed. And that’s a checked Fact!

Make sure you all stream and support 127! Their album(s) and music are in most stores and on most streaming sites. Stream, Share, Shop. Up to you. You can show support in many ways. No matter how you do it, you’re supporting! Make sure to send some encouraging comments to them. I heard they are going on tour again…the articles will be written. Please stay patient! For now, I love you all. Take care of yourselves!

-A.P.