TITLE: Glitch Mode
ARTIST: NCT Dream
LABEL: SM Entertainment
RELEASED: March 28, 2022
The Dreamies are really starting to set themselves away from the NCT pack. Gone are the days of Chewing Gum and now the ones of deep voices and confidence of grown-ass men. Where have my children gone?!
Glitch Mode – Title Track
This is probably the perfect song for a title from Dream. They are always known for catchy title tracks and this one is no different. The hook gets you and I find myself always humming it. The game concept is perfect because even though the group is maturing, they still have youth on their side. The rock bridge feels a little displaced but somehow works to break up the simple overall beat of the song.
Fire Alarm
NCT is known for their own brand of noise music but this just takes the cake. I know some may like it but I feel like I’m listening to a bad video game acid trip. The one saving grace is Mark and his dependable rapping.
Arcade
This felt as if they made Glitch Mode more R&B-based than hip-hop, and it works. The chorus is hard when the verses feel more mellow. But it is that boom-bap sound that makes this even more addicting than the title track for me. And the vocals are AMAZING! Haechan, Renjun, and Chenle are so dependable vocalists that you expect nothing but greatness.
It’s Yours
One thing NCT as a whole can do is R&B and Dream show that with this mid-tempo bop. Even when their rappers sing it doesn’t feel like a struggle bus. The hook is both catchy and charming.
Teddy Bear
It is possible for the Dreamies to be romantic and this is one of those times. An R&B pop ballad showing their sweet side is so dreamy. It’s giving me Boyz II Men vibes.
Replay
I absolutely love when they attack the 90’s R&B genre. At this point, you can just call them a 90s cover group because they are killing it with this. This R&B Pop track really makes you wanna vibe out. The hip-hop bridge is surprising but extremely welcomed.
Saturday Drip
People forget that Dream’s rap line is more than Mark. I wasn’t expecting this to slap as much as it did but I freaking love it. The deep tones of Jisung and Jaemin blend so well with Jeno and Mark. This synth hip-hop got me dropping it with the stank face on.
Better Than Gold
NCT Dream does Bruno Mars. The funky upbeat song just makes you feel good. This is a nice party song.
Drive
A low-key song that gives you a more relaxed pop vibe. It’s a simple example of how vocally talented they are. The song doesn’t do too much to stand out but it’s okay.
Never Goodbye
This is a very restrained ballad for the group. I don’t dislike it but I’ve heard these members do better ballads in the past so this doesn’t really measure up.
Rewind
Not gonna lie, it feels like Dream is singing an upbeat gospel song from the 90’s. Ending the album on this beat is actually really cute for them. The lyrics talk about them wanting to stay as 7Dream and my heart swooned. Musically it just reiterates what the whole album showed, these boys can sang.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It is really hard to say something negative about the talent of NCT Dream because they just have the chops. This album showed how their vibe is really suited for retro-styled concepts however when they do something more contemporary they can hold their own. I feel like they are really setting their lane outside of the typical noise brand that a lot of boy groups are doing these days. With just a couple of tracks that didn’t quite hit the mark, this was a very cohesive album with a clear vision and message. The message that was conveyed through many of the tracks was about comfort. And that is exactly what I felt listening to the album, outside of Fire Alarm. That song needs to go away in a fire.
PRODUCTION : 4.5 / 5
VOCALS / RAPPING : 5 / 5
VISUALS / CONCEPT : 4 / 5
OVERALL: 4.5 / 5
Favorite Track(s): It’s Yours, Arcade
Unbothered Unnies 