This first full-length album from K-pop sextet NCT WISH – one of five NCT sub-units together with NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, and NCT U – is a 10-track delight, with not a filler in sight.
A multilayered, widescreen banger, album opener “2.0 (TWO POINT O)” channels the bassline-driven, vocally rich melodic pop of SM Entertainment labelmates SHINee. The immaculately produced title track is an up-tempo, 130+ BPM anthem with strong UK Garage influences, delicious harmonic motion, and an abundance of ear candy, not least the way in which it reimagines the opening earworm vocal hook from The Cranberries' 1994 classic, “Ode To My Family”.
Album teaser “Sticky” is a quintessentially NCT polystylistic confection, propelled by a bossa-inflected acoustic guitar riff and layered with a wobbly sub-bass line, tinkling glockenspiel, and pleasingly squelchy analogue synth lines. ‘Feel The Beat’ is marked out by a killer bass synth and euphoric chorus – the dopamine hit is huge with this one.
“Crush” opens with a gorgeous, tintinnabulating piano riff and main vocalist Jaehee's impeccable falsetto, weaving in trippy metrical changes. “Street (2AM)” takes a more stripped-back approach, making effective use of the group's lower vocal registers as funky drums lock in with jazzy guitar licks to hypnotic effect, while “Glow Up” rides a syncopated piano riff with a similarly irresistible momentum.
“Everglow” is a joyous dance-pop powerhouse lifted by a striking pre-chorus and ever-changing textures. “Don't Say You Love Me” delivers yet another of WISH's characteristically hooky choruses. And to finish? Vocalist Sion leads the way on “Voyage”, a power ballad which is heartfelt and soaring in equal measure. Listen with the cans on for maximum pleasure.
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