THIS COUNTS AS BEING POSTED ON THE NINTH... forgive me... I just came back from a performance of Hadestown...
"Love Me Now"
Although I know a ton of K-pop songs from the 2010s, I don't exactly know what was on the radio in Korea at the time. International fans' taste in K-pop is often different from that of the general South Korean public, and vice versa with South Korean fans of Western pop.
All I can say is that this song is just everything that was on the radio from 2015 to 2020 in the U.S. and probably Britain. I have heard 700 variations of "Love Me Now" in my car, in the pharmacy, in YouTube hairdressing compilations. I have not, however, heard this kind of sound in 2010s K-pop too often. The songs I've listened to tend to have different stock chord progressions than the infamous "four chords" of Western pop. Again, though, I don't exactly know what was on the radio there at the time.
Isn't it strange that NCT 127, supposed kings of noise music, should be one of the groups that flirt with this sound the most? While not as aggressively basic as "Love Me Now", "Replay (PM 01:27)", which I have mentioned before, also follows this specific formula.
I do think "Love Me Now" is as good as this kind of song can get, and not just because it's being sung by handsome young men. Perhaps someone who knows Korean can attest to the quality of the lyrics - which by the way is a huge factor I unfortunately have to ignore in most of these reviews since... well... I don't know Korean. I can, however, judge the memorability of the melody, and I for one think on that point it's decent.
Make no mistake: this song should not have been on the album. But I'm doing a little dance in my kitchen to it, so perhaps I can forgive it.
How would I feel if someone told me this was their favorite NCT song? Be fucking serious.
"Love Song"
Here's something more relistenable!! I like the simple plane this instrumental sets out for 127 to dance all over with their lovely voices. The melody of the chorus is relatively straightforward rhythmically, leaving room to meander a little. Raps are pretty good.
I get giddy when it comes on shuffle. You could say I "Love" this "Song".
How would I feel if someone told me this was their favorite NCT song? Joyous! Someone knows ball!
"White Night"
I recall one of the reasons I respect this song being how it has nostalgic elements (synth, trumpet, etc.), but does not fully commit to a particular aesthetic. I'm thinking of songs like "The End of the Day" by RIIZE, which is a purposeful emulation of an early K-pop ballad in almost every way, and 127's later "Magic Carpet Ride", which also takes on a 2000s sound. These are both beautiful songs, but I like this song's earnestness and confidence in itself.
Beautiful melodies beautifully sung. I love Taeyong's part with my whole heart, and I love how the climax of the song simply flows into the final chorus.
How would I feel if someone told me this was their favorite NCT song? Yippee!!!
https://x.com/haechstarr/status/2009669338681520206?s=20
"Not Alone"
is the anthem of Ncity, to me. I have to put my hand to my heart whenever I hear the chorus. I like it when pop songs have a good bass to hold them down, a good system of roots. The sweet earnestness in Doyoung's voice is one of those roots.
I can never really know how the lyrics come off to a Korean speaker., as there have been many pop songs with deep emotional meanings that have been expressed in cliche ways. The translated lyrics to this song, however, made me emotional. Man, we're all on a neverending journey together, aren't we?
Though not the most original, or the most well-made, song on this album, I'd consider it the best.
How would I feel if someone told me this was their favorite NCT song? YAY!!!!
"Dreams Come True"
Bright, nostalgic, catchy, fun. Someone ought to have told Doyoung that he sounds like he's singing "I'mma pee :D" when he sings "I'm happy".
The last thing I want to do in this review is be overly complementary - I've already been admittedly biased, but I still want to be honest. I can find little to gripe about in this song, though. I even feel the raps are well-suited, which is an opinion not everyone will share. I adore the piano part - I love the melody - I love its steadiness, its refusal to really build up to something (even the high note takes place out of the blue), which gives it a sunny feeling.
How would I feel if someone told me this was their favorite NCT song? I'd probably assume they were a 2020 NCTzen specifically.
"Elevator 127"
This was the opener of the original Neo Zone album, and it takes on such a different vibe as a closer!
The sheer 2020-ness of the beat (very "Levitating" by Dua Lipa) should put it in the same outdated category as "Love Me Now", but "Elevator 127" is composed much more thoughtfully. God, I just love a good melody. The gentle, almost melancholy way the prechorus melody descends pleases me very much.
How would I feel if someone told me this was their favorite NCT song? I wouldn't begrudge them, but I would be a bit confused, as NCT does have much more to offer.
Kiss me on the mouth. Thanks for coming on this journey with me. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.