I think this was supposed to be my first review. Well… now it’s been a while now. How are we feeling? This was one of my first ever reviews so please understand.

I have a few disclaimers, one if you’re a regular you get it! I love finding new things to listen to. And I will probably continue updating it still! The second due to recent news is predictable.

I am a NCTzen so I am a fan of NCT 127 already. I am also a music enthusiast. I will be looking at it from both sides mainly. 🙂

Now…due to the recent news, I decided that I would abbreviate a name. He was a part of this project when it was released and there’s no denying it. On the other hand, he is not a part of NCT or NCT 1227 anymore. I really didn’t know what to do as this was written prior (like many of my NCT albums), but I did my best to edit it well and analyze it from the song pov and not the artist. Please understand. 

I also realized most of NCT 127 SoundCloud is taken down…it’s sad. I’m wondering if there will be re-recordings. Right now, a lot is in the air. I will be looking forward to the future of NCT 127.

Ay-Yo: 

This isn’t about the actual concept of the music video, so I won’t get into that too much. I wasn’t really a fan of some of the styling and some of the concepts added. I kind of knew what was going to happen though with that, but not too big of a fan of the styling and random suit montage (the suit is NCTzen humor though lol, it has to be a joke now to be honest).

I really love the song now. It was catchy from the beginning though honestly. I really loved it. It was just the visuals I felt a bit different about, but now I can watch it more comfortably. They have challenges on YouTube Shorts as well as TikTok and Instagram. I dare you to try the Mark steps. They are very difficult. I think this song has a fun way of playing with the beat, which makes it more fun to listen to. The bridge is my favorite part of the song I think, however it is just so good to listen to. The whole song is really enjoyable.

I listened to the demo and instrumental. I really like every version of this song. The hook instrumental sounds so classy it feels like glamor. AYO THIS SONG IS STRAIGHT FIRE! 

Faster: 

I really like the racetrack pitstop car show vibe I get from this song. Maybe even the practice. And it can be used for modeling as well. I already see the vision.

Faster is honestly interesting. Like performance wise, it’s really funny actually. I like how the slow motion was. I think it might mean they were going faster, but I’m not sure. I still wish the song had some kind of bridge maybe changing the vibe a bit (without makes the song…faster), but it’s okay performance wise as it will go into-

2 Baddies:

2 baddies. They boys explained this so, so soooo well in the videos, but as Johnny put it: “Sometimes you say things to sound cool”. I love how this song sounds. I would put this on a racing playlist and have a go time go-kart driving. Please don’t attempt actually driving like Doyoung irl. Please. Everyone’s charisma came out in this song, and I was really impressed. And I’m glad the boys vocalized that they were enjoying the comeback. 

On the J Hud show it really showed how they can take a crowd’s energy and use it. I’m so jealous I couldn’t go, by the time I checked the tickets they were all sold out for that day. It was a school day, but you know…Just kidding! School always comes first…

I really hope they come back to the show and get to sit down next time. It looked like they enjoyed themselves for the amount of time they got. The song is really fun and if you’re just listening to the song and not thinking about the word baddies then you’ll forget the meaning haha.

I really like all the layers to this song. 

I can’t stop dancing once I start.

T_L’s “why don’t we” hits so hard with the beat

The last ad-libs were so confusing at first. I had to learn to love them. Plus, they did them live, that was impressive because many people don’t do that.

I listened to the Dolby Atmos to this, and I’ll rate in terms of what’s going on. And I’ll rate them on what is super interesting to listen to in my opinion. The 3 are the Lead Channel, Center Channel, and Hidden Channel. In terms of what I would listen to more often than others. I do like listening to all of them because as a songwriter I want to learn new styles, but as a casual listener these would be better to listen to if you have some time to spare.

1. Hidden- I just like listening to things you wouldn’t usually listen to unless you are searching for hidden. I must say…the laughs were interesting. I never heard the old car horn until now. 
2. Center- there’s not much going on so if you don’t listen to it, you’re not going to have fomo. I just suggest it if you like listening to songs dissected.

These are just my opinions.

Time Lapse: 

The intro was so annoying at first. Then that sexy beat came in and I couldn’t stop falling more and more into the song. 

Then I heard the part I knew. The hook and omg…it was really good. But I heard the memes so much, I swear NCTzens get on my nerves so badly, but I love us. The dream and pauses are awkward though. They were eating though. The bridge gave fancy restaurant. Doyoung’s high note made T_L’s impact stronger. It was a small foundation to make way for his. Whoever did that super high note, wow. This song is amazing. I really like it, but I need to listen a few more times to it.

DJ: 

This song is really, really fun. The energy on stage makes me really happy too.  When I first heard it, I didn’t hear Taeyong mention Stevie, but I immediately thought of growing up and hearing Stevie Wonder. After he brought it up, it created that “Aha!” moment in my mind. I can’t remember which song, but there’s a specific song it reminds me of. It’s really fun and it makes me happy. I was able to skate happily the day after it came out and I had some much fun. I also walked to class and back on some days to this song. It really puts you in a great mood. I like how the rap didn’t ruin the song because that can happen, and I heard it before from some artist. This song makes you feel kinda wonderful. 10/10. 100%. 

Crash Landing:

This beat gave something I heard before. Instantly I really liked it. The vibe felt familiar too. I think you know who I’m thinking of, but I won’t mention them. It gives pool party with good friends. The Pre-chorus was fire. The hook is good too, but the yelling was something else. And that AYEEEE…it scared me lol. Sometimes the runs are weird. This felt like an interlude. It had many different elements that kind of clashed. I felt like it could be 2-3 different songs. The bridge I’m on right now…um yeah that is a different song. I like this vibe. It went back seamlessly into the other beat. I really like that.

Designer: 

The beat tricks you instantly. You think you’re getting an aggressive song. I wonder if the producers were laughing when coming up with that. And then it goes into this cuter beat. I wonder why they were our designer (on tour) when they say, “my designer”. I really like the vibe, nevertheless. Watching the process with Rino for the concerts was fun. I like how they put their own flare into the moves they did. Rino gives them the confidence and tips for stronger stage presence, and they get to find themselves within it. That makes me happy. The bridge is confusing, but this is NCT I’m talking about. It gets aggressive and goes back to this cute beat again. The structure is quite simple, giving it that cute vibe even more. I like how the bridge was experimental.

Gold Dust:

I heard Doyoung sing the beginning before. I like the calm vibe. It feels like a Wii channel theme, and it gives nostalgia. The harmonies are beautiful. I like how everything is fitting. It’s really calm and even with the rap it’s still calm. I like the mellow theme. Even singing together, everyone is calm. On the contrary, some of the ad-libs were loud. And the beat was loud at the end. The last singer was loud with the whisper.

Black Clouds:

The beat is so cute in the beginning then it goes into a new-age sound. I really like this beat and the melodies. I heard the ending of the hook before on one of the contents. I didn’t know what sound it was, but it gives happy, but sad. I know you know what I mean. I really like this. I oppose to “Gold Dust”; it’s more loud with the singing. I like how they work to see what fits for each one. Mellow vs strength. I really like that vibe. I think Taeyong’s part was unnecessary at the end.

Playback:

That beat is hitting with the verses. T_L’s part on the pre-chorus, OMGGGGGG. I heard this one too. I really like it. It felt very cute too. I like to see some cute playful stuff from 127 too sometimes. It makes me happy. The bridge is a nice repetitive vibe. The bridges in their music are always good. I wish they would have repeated the reversing one more time before going back to the chorus. I think it would have suited it.

Skyscraper: 

The translation is wild.

Dem Jointz does it every time. He’ll never disappoint. To me, I thought this song was very western hip hop and I really liked it. Sometimes it makes me uncomfy when you watch the mv or know what the concept was, but I like how this time they acknowledge the RnB and hip elements in this album. A lot of people have things against hip hop until it’s their faves, but actually it’s quite similar to good hip hop music. I mean Dem Jointz knows what he is doing, and that’s why NCT and Dem Jointz go so good together. Like Timberlake to Timberland. It never fails, musicality wise. Best duos always serve every time. The song had many killing points as well which made me really happy. I even made my own sad choreo to the music. I’m really enjoying it is what I’m trying to say.

Everyone killed their parts. I play this on repeat sometimes.

Tasty: 

This song is really hot. I love this song. The live is a bit different though. I just don’t like how they have to do so much choreo especially with where they are right now. They’re working really hard, and I think they deserved a break years ago. They’re still working (and still booked for more!). But that’s for Uncomy Cushion Convos not for this. But the actual song and their natural charisma is enough. They didn’t need to move around so much. I watch the live version a lot. I really love it. 

The beat hits hard the whole song (the (beat) Whole (beat) Song (beat)). So, you can’t stop dancing. I want to hear other verses. It’s lit. I like how some of the instrumental works with the verses. The beat is repetitive in an addicting way. It sounds like that Netflix beat somebody made. The bridges once again never fail. Ever. 

Vitamin:

The intro. That’s it. Highlight of the song. Mark mentioned on a live that those talking a part can be difficult as in cringey, but Johnny did a great job. I agree, those can be super difficult and there’s lots of ways to mess them up. Johnny understood the assignment, delivered, and devoured. Except for one thing: the song is not about vitamins Johnny! It’s not at all, but for people to take them (the vitamins) let’s agree together. 😉 We need NCTzen’s to stay strong and healthy. You too NCT!

TAKE YOUR VITAMINS! EVERYONE TAKE YOUR VITAMINS. 🙂

I like the ending. It was a good way to end it. I was curious about how they would do it. I knew the “awooo” would be there.

LOL(Laugh-Out-Loud):

I like the beat. It’s like cool rock mixed with pop. It’s really happy sounding and sounds like an NCT song. You know their sounds. The beat I wasn’t expecting for them though, but I really like it. I will find the instrumental instantly. The high note was great. I loved hearing everyone’s voice clearly. You don’t get to hear everyone’s voice all the time. I can’t wait to sing this.

1,2,7(Time Stops):

I heard this one! I like how they always use the 127 numbers in things. It gives it that…well 127 touch! This song sounds family reunion…ish and how they used it with the intro and closing of their segments. It’s warm and positive. I like this song. It definitely has that old 90’s RnB, rap vibe with the beat, claps, and just the sound in general. All the parts worked for this song.

FINAL THOUGHTS-

TOP Picks: Skyscraper, Ay-Yo, DJ, Tasty, 2 baddies,

I have to say I need more parts visually of T_ and more lyrics for Johnny (as examples-of course the other guys need more parts as well in different fields of the comeback). I go more into this later in my thoughts. I’m waiting for his song he was working on even more to hear his voice more. We shouldn’t have to wait to see them karaoke each comeback to finally hear some lyrics from them. As well as the potential of all the members. I really want a whole self-produced album from them, and they do everything so we can see their creative flow. 

Whenever they get the chance to, they are amazing.

Upcoming: Sample of a Uncomfy Cushion topic. Let’s be honest. All groups have their unique points. We all came to this group for many things. One of the charms of NCT in general is the number of members. I mean up until now it just kept growing. And obviously each person is going to be unique. Not every person is the same in this world (in general) so it’s nice to see them come together in different units and paint each canvas in the NCT museum differently. 

One thing I came to 127 for is the sound. I love the risk they take with each comeback. And I haven’t disliked a comeback song. I’m not going to lie to you and say every song is my favorite song, but each one is a bit different, and I enjoy that. I enjoy their relentless nature no matter what. But going back to the songs. Even they worry about some songs. I want them to enjoy what they are doing because their name is stamped on it. Though we have to give credit to the others who are involved in making the image what it is for the comeback and everything else. 

We have the group, and we have the team behind them. But right now, we are focused on the ones who have their name next to the song when you search for it. Honestly, they put in their time, now it’s time for them to control what they want to be viewed as in the form of a creator. And especially their image as a person and how they wished to be perceived (moving forward). I understand starting off, but as this contract resigning slowly arrives, I want them to be happy no matter what. 

Every artist deserves that-everyone deserves happiness. 

They deserve more creative freedom and more credits if that’s what they want. Choreo when they get to suggest something. The tones they pick to record in the studio when they wish to try something. Whenever they get to add to their outfits with a nail shop on a JCC for ‘Work it’. Come on ‘Amino Acid’? ‘City 127’ (one of my favorite songs)? I need to see more (which we get to later on, now that I’m returning to this from the future!). They can and are able to do it. I want to see 127 do their own thing one of these days. Maybe let them have a break (That they desperately need and 1000% deserve) so they can do their thing first and wait to see what the boys cook up. Whatever their next journey is, we are waiting, and we are ready!

Rankings:

Overall Thoughts:

I hope you listen to this album and show it some love! NCT 127 is also going on tour! I highly suggest it!

Written and illustrated by: A.P.