This is their first mini album. Disclaimer this is one of my very first reviews for this site. Please keep that in mind. I was supposed to release this after the year anniversary, but hey on the bright side, more time with the music, right?

I am really really, really impressed with this unit. I really wondered how it would turn out because they have 3 very different vibes and vocal tones. Everyone in NCT has a different vibe for the most part. I really wondered if it would blend or clash when working together. It’s not like we didn’t see them together before as they are a part of NCT together, however just as a concept I wondered. It worked really well. I’m being really honest here; I wish that it came a little later in the year. Unless it was going to be completely done in February, there was no rush. That would have given the boys a break like they deserved. I am against people overworking themselves. And this was planned for the beginning of this year, and they had concerts, tours, comeback stages, albums, and sponsorships this whole time. However, that is a company and artist matter that we have discussed before (and will again of course) so we will leave that out of this. The bright side is they shine and still poured out so much energy into this comeback. And I am so proud of them. 

We saw the short films and I was half and half about them. They were directed by Sangdeok Lee. Being honest with you…I was really tied. I appreciate how there was a concept, but I didn’t like it much. It didn’t fully tie into the songs like I thought it would.

Jaehyun Passion featured the songs “Kiss” and “Can we go back”

Doyoung’s concept was Commitment and featured the songs: “Dive” and “Ordinary”

Jungwoo’s concept was Intimacy and featured the song: “Strawberry Sunday”

I have to say the song organization and distribution for the concept categories are very fitting.

I think it’s great to mention that these are in fact a theory in real life. It’s always exciting to learn something through something else that you enjoy. For example, I have learned some history and science through some music and musicals. Even some spelling and new words in a different language. Music is essential to human development. And linking this back to the concept, DOJAEJUNG is no exception. Robert J. Sternberg is a psychologist and psychometrician and came up with this theory. He has a website with many theories and under love it has the Triangular Theory of Love and the story version. I really wonder though if they will take up the rest of the theories for their next album possibly. I would love to see the rest of the story, and if you need a writer…I’m there in ½ a heartbeat. We don’t get to see closure to the films, so I sure hope so. I kind of like them open ended, but it would be interesting to see. 

And then finally we got the MV for perfume this last week.

ORGANIZATION OF THIS REVIEW:

Let’s get into the songs. And like always we will have an album unboxing linked in here somewhere. I will listen to this a couple of times, but some is the first reactions. By the way I listened to these in order many of the days and then tried it backwards. I also listened to the tracks instrumental, acapella, and hidden vocals. I just want to say they passed the test of detail. I will mention my favorites at the end.

Bias. I am a NCTzen. However, I deliver my honest thoughts. If you are not really into that, I suggest our reviews at the end of the year which are more straight forward. I also recommend some of our other content!

1. Perfume- 

This was the title track, and it had a really funky RnB feel. I really enjoyed it. It was a sound I was used to from my childhood, but with a twist. I love the lyrics. It felt like a secret that only we know instead of a tell-all. The lyrics were classy and weren’t too salacious in nature. The analogy was left to the imagination…for the most part. I want to smell the perfume so badly because I know it was an exclusive experience that was still very memorable in our memories. If you know what I mean. Ironically while editing this the fragrances came out! There’s 4! How are the perfumes? Did anyone get a chance to get them yet? They are listed in the SM shop. Please let us know.

On the other hand, the song’s sound was very different. I felt like I was getting ready for a party. I really want to grab my skates and go skating.

Now the split audio…

                                                       “Baby I’m” 

                               “Baby I’m”

“Baby I’m”- 

still not recovered. I wasn’t expecting it (I didn’t stream it with earphones before), but it was nice.

The rap was well executed and it worked well with the song. It was really sing-songy so it complemented the song well. And the dance is in my head everyday with a time minimum of 24 hour…whoa!

Their ranges were showcased well and weren’t out of tune.The harmonies are really sultry and each one was really good. And the key changes and sound changes in general. It changed vibes, but not in a boring way. I feel the music video didn’t do it justice enough. Visually, it was great. We got to see different aesthetics, it looked pretty good though, but I would’ve loved to see more color and more fun or more of the comfortable chill vibe. It just felt awkward, but it was still worth a watch. 

The perfume in which is DOJAEJUNG is going to linger within my head for a long time.

I really recommend Doyoung’s take with the rearranged version on Leemujin’s Service. It was really really good. The piano OH MY GOODNESS. The jazzy feel. Doyoung we need a jazz album please (future me here…we got an album, not jazz, but an album). Or at least a solo song. I’m running to get it first. 

2. Kiss- 

Kiss is the second track and that one part is giving NCT very much at around 8 seconds. I’m used to certain sounds now. This is such a feel-good song. I don’t know if you are the same, but r&b has a great feeling especially on a bright summer day. And so I automatically correlate it to these things. This song is perfect especially for one of those days. The lyrics are a bit more than the perfume lyrics…this time it’s our lips, our lipstick, our lips, our lipstick. Yeah your lipstick got them. It made me feel happy I picked out cute red shades for my lipstick. The “fallin” was amazing. The harmonies for it are so soft and blend really well. This was also giving the rnb party feel, but more intimate. I like the different paces the lyrics were executed at. There was a lot of dynamic with this one. And once again, the rangeeee. Amazing. I want to hear a remix with a fun yet laid back style rapper like Drake or the duo MKTO. I feel it would be a fun remix. Overall the song fills you up with so much happiness with how amazing it sounds. There’s so much to listen for. 

3. Dive- 

This track is also a r&b one, which is expected with an album like this, but it’s good to mention. I love the format of this song. This one feels more uniform, not much of a change. Very simple. From beginning to end it is really easy to listen to. It’s really familiar to me and sounds like something I heard before. It feels like the more sexy dancing r&b song. The beat is more the star in this song and the vocals come right after. I love when music takes the lead sometimes and it was really interesting. I bet it was fun to record too. It has more of a laid back feeling that is effortlessly sexy. It seems like a great one to just sing, listen, or do both! There are songs that require just one, and I enjoy songs where both can be done. I love around 3:05 where everyone gets their own ad libs.The lyrics here, I will just leave alone. I love an ocean reference every now and then, but if you SEA the lyrics, you might not want to explain them. This is definitely a step up from the previous two.

4. Strawberry Sunday-

This one hits you right away with an upbeat r&b beat. It will be very fun at a karaoke after you learn the notes because they are all over the place. That’s so fun. I love when songs that do that. However, I will make sure to run away from those ad libs because my vocal ability only goes so far. Speaking of which, around 1:42 it’s similar to “Dive” where all 3 go their own ad libs. I love how the song organizers did this. It was to highlight each voice rather than to make all 3 of them complete. In the car on a carefree night, let’s do it though. I’m down for a challenge on a city drive with the window down. The beat is very playful and bright. The lyrics were also something I hope for them to explain just for laughs. Set aside the jokes, I really enjoy this song. The imagery is something though. I do like the secret aspect to these though and the lyrics even mention it. I really like the connection between a secret and these lyrics. 

5. Can we go back-

I have seen this one in two different forms. We were first introduced to it on the NCT 127-The link tour and it was everything. I was attracted to the song instantly. We saw it again a couple of times at a few stages. It was a mystery for me until it was announced. I really wanted to hear it again. We got to see the 3 different voices and how they shine. I was really impressed with it and it hasn’t left my head since I listened to it. I find myself singing it everyday. “OOH OOOOH OOOOOOOHHHH”! I was sad not to hear the “oohs” here 3 times like the shortened stage performance version was. It highlighted their voices well. However it was a teaser in a way. It really gave us an intro to how DOJAEJUNG was going to be. Their facial expressions, the way they executed the notes, and their dance moves all had their own charm that mixed together beautifully like an unforgettable cologne/perfume on a beautiful night. The lyrics are really deep and have a lot of regret. I am interested though in the correlation with the song and the choreography, but that’s with a lot of songs already so we just accepted it already. But I’m always up for an explanation. Their vocals are strong and I love how they changed the delivery depending on the mode of the song. This song was a great way to introduce DOJAEJUNG’s colors. 

6. Ordinary-

The breathing from the beginning really represents the song pretty well. It was very subtle, but portrays hesitation and the vulnerability of the subject (and it is giving the naturalness needed) . This one is a slow r&b, ballad, with a mix of lullaby feel. The synth piano sound really gave the 90’s feel to it. I was really happy to hear the piano play some of the singing parts, but then they branch off and do their own thing. I am not the biggest fan of piano based tracks where sometimes they sing every note with the piano because then it becomes an mr-based karaoke or a children’s song. Usually it gives that kind of feeling to you know? But this one did a great job of keeping the 90’s feel and not a karaoke track. Speaking of Karaoke. This is one you have to be careful with when singing with your buddies. Unless you’re friends with DOJAEJUNG, be careful. I’m in love with it and it would be a song in my style I would sing. I’m definitely going to try to learn the lyrics. 

The translated lyrics really felt like a drama. Kind of like an unrequited love…or a mystery if they like you or not. Kind of how DOJAE was with their ost and dramas. For example a confession through a song or an actual song about a hesitant confession. I can really pick up the image of wanting to say something, but can’t and saying something else. Even though you wanted to say what you were thinking. It’s frustrating, but I didn’t feel too much frustration when listening, it was really calming. Like the lyrics were patting your back softly. I love how it really brings out their singing style differences while still blending. I mean after the christmas medley we saw this toasty vibe before. They did so well with that one and I hope they continue to find their style and grow as artists. I wanted a longer song though with more stuff to it. The piano really really shined though at the end. It made me really happy. I really want to mention that Jaehyun is really good with this genre as he also performed his song “Lost” during the tour. He sounds great with this genre and he gives off the laid back 90’s aura needed to pull off these things. It’s something that really drew me in personally to NCT (the r&b and hip hop mix) and keeps me here. 

My favorite song initially was of course ‘can we go back’, but honestly I really can’t pick. They are all in my head all day, but that one was our intro into this world we call DOJAEJUNG. 🙂

Like I mentioned I listened to this in many forms. With and without earphones. As well as instrumental, acapella, hidden vocals. Here’s my favorite.

Instrumental: Dive

Acapella: Ordinary

Hidden Vocals: Kiss

AP’s Picks:

1. Strawberry Sundae
2. Can we go back
3. Kiss
4. Ordinary
5. Dive
6. Perfume

King’s Crown Unboxings:

K.C’s Ratings:

1. Perfume 

1. Kiss

2. (Can We Go Back)

3. (Ordinary)

4. Strawberry Sunday

5. Dive

Closing thoughts.

It was so great or even click the first seconds to see how each one sounded, and they are all so different. The start of each varied and that was really cool. I want to point out that RnB-like any genre can vary so much and it showed so well with this mini album. It didn’t even have to be that varied and you can see and feel the difference. I love that. I think these would work so well on the RnB channels I listened to since when I was younger. I didn’t describe them to their full potential, but I promise you fellow NCTzen’s did amazing analyses on the music videos (and films), the lyrics, and everything in between. So, if you want to, I highly suggest you check that out.

So, what are your thoughts on the album? What is your favorite track? Favorite moments? Any predictions for the future? We would love to hear your thoughts!

Written and illustrated by: A.P.