NCT Brings You To Their ‘Dreamscape’
K-pop superstar group NCT is back with their new album, ‘Dreamscapes. ‘Released on November 11, this is the group’s fourth studio album. ‘Dreamscapes’ grapples with reality vs. the fantasy of our dreams.
NCT wants fans to dive into the utopia they’ve created with this record.
Although the album centers around fantasy, this next chapter of the group’s progress on this album is very real. The basis of this record builds off their storytelling from the ‘DREAM( )SCAPE’ EP that they released in March. However, this EP contained a darker theme of reality, whereas ‘Dreamscapes’ is more about escaping reality. NCT wants fans to dive into the utopia they’ve created with this record, not only musically but visually as well. The music video for the album’s lead single ‘When I’m With You’ is a perfect example of the new aesthetic, Members sing on clouds and fall through the sky. A dream-like atmosphere filled with otherworldly imagery. Paired with freshly blended sounds creating this vibrant new energy. This is the whole embodiment of ‘Dreamscapes’.
Through the 11 tracks, we get an amalgamation of influences. Musically and lyrically. Through the beginning of the album, there is a vibrant lovey-dovey energy. The track ‘Flying Kiss’ paints a joyous picture of that feeling of butterflies you get while falling in love. The song ‘i hate fruits’ follows suit in this trend they have created of dreamy love, as well as ‘When I’m With You’
On the other hand, further into the album, the track ‘No Escape’ has a darker, eerie sound. The track focuses more on the vibe they portrayed in the ‘DREAM( )SCAPE’ EP, talking about a reality riddled with lies. Another one that follows this is an 80’s inspired track, ‘Best Of Me’. Gripping the depiction of a harsher reality. Nevertheless, the talk about nightmarish features of life is short-lived, and the light is reintroduced with ‘You (숲)’ and channels throughout the rest of the record. The concluding track, ‘Rains in Heaven’, is the heavenly ethereal synth-pop moment. A perfect way to end a record of K-pop dreams.
All photo credit; SM Entertainment