NCT DREAM drops ‘DREAM( )SCAPE’ album with more intense themes
NCT DREAM is back with its new album, “DREAM( )SCAPE,” departing from its typical upbeat tracks, opting instead for a more intense vibe. Returning to the K-pop scene just eight months after its latest hit “ISTJ,” the group ventures into new territory with this latest album.
The unit boy group, which debuted in 2016 under SM Entertainment’s extensive NCT roster, features seven talented members: Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Jisung, Haechan and Chenle. The group garnered widespread acclaim for its energetic tunes celebrating hopes and dreams, with tracks including “Boom” (2019), “Hello Future” (2021) and “Candy” (2022).
While the group’s dedication to singing about pursuing one’s dreams remains unchanged, the latest release now extends to a wider aspiration of offering solace to those grappling with despair.
“At the heart of our debut was always the goal of delivering a message of hope. Yet, with this album, we wanted to create songs that could reach even those without dreams, including those enduring nightmarish days in life,” said Mark, the group’s leader, during a vibrant press event at a hotel in Gwangjin District, Seoul, Monday.
“Despite our bright onstage personas, each of us has experienced personal struggles and times devoid of dreams. From that shared empathy, we crafted an album resonating with youth,” Mark added.
The overarching message of comfort for those without dreams permeates the entire album, with its title track, “Smoothie” standing out. Behind its infectious groove, with the classic 808 bass sound, lies a strong message of rejecting societal judgments and prejudices.
“As we journey through life, we inevitably face judgments and stereotypes that we’d prefer to avoid. ‘Smoothie’ symbolizes our determination to ‘blend away’ and ‘drink up’ these negative perspectives, empowering us to forge our own path,” Renjun explained.
“Smoothies usually give off refreshing and sweet vibes, but we opted to infuse it with a twist by exploring the concept of a ‘dirty’ smoothie … I believe this song came out with a much more intense tone since it showcases our determination to blend away all the negativities,” Mark said.
The album also features five more tracks, including “icantfeelanything,” “BOX,” “Carat Cake,” “UNKNOWN,” and “Breathing,” all crafted to offer profound comfort to those without dreams and hopes.
While some have expressed concerns regarding the departure from NCT DREAM’s typically brighter, youthful image, the members remained steadfast in their resolve to convey a new style.
“Beyond hopeful narratives, there are myriad stories to tell about dreams, including stories of nightmares or even situations where dreams seem absent,” Jeno said. “I hope our listeners view this album as the start of exploring more stories about dreams. Instead of seeing it as a change in concept, consider it an expansion of our storytelling.”
Haechan also addressed fans’ potential surprise at the new direction, emphasizing their versatility as a group.
“Though some aspects may seem unfamiliar, we hope you recognize our ability to explore various styles without being confined to one genre or concept,” Haechan highlighted.
Despite nearing the eighth year since its debut, NCT DREAM remains driven by an “unusual” level of ambition, with the team’s latest album coming as yet another bold endeavor.
“Even after all these years, our passion and ambition remain extraordinary, almost to an unusual level. This amount of dedication is not only a source of pride for our team, but also for our fans,” Mark emphasized.
“We hope this album serves as another unique narrative about dreams, albeit in a slightly different light.”