Nct #127: Neo Zone
| NCT
Nct #127: Neo Zone
NCT 127 is the second sub-unit and Seoul-based unit of the South Korean boy group NCT. The unit debuted on July 7, 2016, with their first extended play NCT #127, featuring seven members: Taeyong, Taeil, Yuta, Jaehyun, Winwin, Mark, and Haechan. Johnny and Doyoung later joined in December 2016, followed by Jungwoo in September 2018.-Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Wtop
The 13-track record called “The 2nd Album ‘NCT #127 Neo Zone’” offers a K-pop buffet to the hungry listener, as the nine-member band tackles trap, rap, electronic dance and classic pop sounds on the new album. NCT 127, which stands for Neo Culture Technology, distinguishes itself from similar label mates at SM Entertainment with quirky choices on a chorus here and an interlude there.
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COS
One of NCT 127’s biggest strengths is their vocal colors and tones, efficiently pulling off heavily R&B-influenced tracks and harmonizing flawlessly. Though more than half of the tracks on NEO ZONE are R&B, they exist within a spectrum.
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AP
The 13-track record called “The 2nd Album ‘NCT #127 Neo Zone’” offers a K-pop buffet to the hungry listener, as the nine-member band tackles trap, rap, electronic dance and classic pop sounds on the new album. NCT 127, which stands for Neo Culture Technology, distinguishes itself from similar label mates at SM Entertainment with quirky choices on a chorus here and an interlude there.
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Kpop
Vocals were nice and pleasant, while the rapping during the bridge gave the song what it needed.
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Sound Digest
If the normal stylings of NCT 127’s hard-hitting dance and hip-hop tracks aren’t your thing, there’s much more ahead on this 13-track album to cater your needs.
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Odyssey
Instead of focusing on powerful lyrics about being a hero, a majority of their other tracks are about love.
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Music Mayhem
Across all of their songs, NCT 127 has racked up more than one billion global streams combined, including 360 million streams in the U.S. The 2019 EP NCT #127 WE ARE SUPERHUMAN was a smash, entering the Billboard 200 at No. 11 and charting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Current Albums, Top Album Sales, World Albums and Independent Albums charts. Combined global streams of the EP have surpassed 111 million. NCT 127 was the first K-pop act to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart.
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Amoeba
K-pop stars NCT 127 follow up their successful debut with Neo Zone or The 2nd Album ‘NCT #127 Neo Zone.’ Earlier singles like “Dreams Come True” embrace the group's slick R&B-inspired pop with shades of autotune, but elsewhere hip-hop rules the day, for example on the infectious “Kick It” and “Sit Down!” Then there's the fierce and over-the-top trap number, “Mad Dog,” which reveals the group's versatility and fun mash-up of genres.
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Apple Music
Thanks to the success of 2019’s WE ARE SUPERHUMAN and its iridescent English-language single “Highway to Heaven,” Seoul boy band NCT 127 is making room for a fresh wave of naturalized NCTzens. Their second full-length album continues the K-pop group’s inventive exploration of sound and emotion. The rap unit lets loose on “MAD DOG,” a trap burner with a weird electrified break, while “Sit Down!” tells a story in aggressive style of sticking to your beliefs. Then, the body-rolling slow jams unfurl. The vocal unit shines on sentimental forget-me-nots “Love Song” and “Day Dream.” There’s a pronounced ’90s R&B influence on “White Night,” “Not Alone,” and “Dreams Come True”—all perfect to curl up on the couch with. From the tempos, melodies, and pacing (spotlight vocals broken up by all-in-together choruses), it wouldn’t be surprising if NCT 127 had some oversized flannels and Timbs in their closet.
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Rolling Stone
Combining Nineties R&B with trap, dance and even Latin-tinged beats, the 13-track set roars and rumbles like a Fast and the Furious movie, with visuals to match. Video teasers were posted for each song leading up to release day, while the music video for “Kick It” has amassed close to 10 million views in the first three days of release.
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Billboard
And like that one it is full of tracks that showcase NCT 127's diverse skillset, shining a spotlight on each of the members' artistic strengths as performers and songwriters.
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COS
It checks off all the boxes when it comes to playing to their strengths, which include vocal versatility, a diversified selection of hip-hop and R&B jams, and giving fans a fun, good time.
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Elle
The boys feel the weight—and privilege—of being part of a group of K-pop artists taking South Korean pop music mainstream abroad. "I do feel a sense of responsibility to work harder and make sure K-pop has its moment in getting recognition all around the world," Jaehyun tells ELLE.com.
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Clash
Overall, ‘NCT #127 Neo Zone’ is sure to please NCTzens and new fans alike. To some, it may seem like the album lacks a certain cohesion, but in reality that’s just the nature of K- Pop. This new project blends and takes influence from different genres, particularly pop, R&B and rap, in true, inimitable K-Pop fashion.
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Amazon
The album's exclusive title `Neo Zone' builds high expectation while implying a brand-new introduction to NCT 127's music world.
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