ALBUM REVIEW — NCT DREAM – ‘DREAM AFTER DREAM’

DREAM AFTER DREAM feels like a celebration of everything NCT DREAM has been while also showing that they’re not afraid to keep growing and experimenting. There is something special about watching an artist grow alongside their music, and NCT DREAM is a group that has given fans plenty of opportunities to experience exactly that. Since making their debut in 2016 with “Chewing Gum,” the group has built an identity around youthful energy, bright melodies, and songs that capture the feeling of growing up while holding onto your dreams. Over the years, NCT DREAM has never been afraid to experiment with different genres without completely losing the identity that made them who they are.

This release is particularly significant as it marks the group’s first full-length album as an official six-member lineup following Mark Lee’s departure from SM Entertainment. With ten tracks, DREAM AFTER DREAM explores different sounds and musical directions while maintaining the melodic charm that NCT DREAM has always been known for. Now, as they celebrate their 10th anniversary, NCT DREAM is opening a new chapter with their sixth full-length album, DREAM AFTER DREAM.

01. THE SUN

Starting the album with “The Sun” was such a lovely choice. There’s something about this song that immediately gives me a feeling of nostalgia, and I think that’s one of the biggest reasons it ended up becoming my favorite track on the entire album. It carries a melody that feels warm and familiar, almost like being reminded of a memory you didn’t realize you missed. There’s something particularly special about the way NCT DREAM approaches songs like this, where the emotion comes through without needing to make everything overly complicated.

02. BOOGIE WOOGIE

As the album’s title track, “Boogie Woogie” takes a refreshing direction that we haven’t really seen from the group before. Described as an uptempo dance track with vintage influences from ’70s disco-funk, the song brings a bright, groovy energy. It’s a particularly exciting concept for the group because it allows them to lean into their naturally playful side while trying something different musically. Another detail worth appreciating is Jaemin’s involvement in co-writing the lyrics. Considering this is an album celebrating ten years together, having a member contribute to a song that celebrates their shared journey makes the title track feel even more personal. I also think this hippie-inspired, colorful direction suits NCT DREAM surprisingly well. It’s refreshing, it’s fun, and it gives the group another sound to add to their already diverse discography.

03. DREAM AFTER DREAM

I particularly enjoy how the latter half opens up, giving the track an uplifting feeling that makes you want to turn the volume up and sing along. I think this message fits beautifully with the overall direction of the album, especially as NCT DREAM enters another chapter of their career.

04. SKYDIVE

“Skydive” brings a completely different energy to the album, leaning into electronic hyperpop with rich keyboard sounds, distorted bass, and intense drums. What makes this track particularly interesting is the contrast between its softer melodic moments and the much heavier production surrounding them.

05. PRESSURE

There’s a certain intensity to the production that makes it stand out, especially with the way the instrumental pushes the song forward. I like how the group continues to explore sounds that are a little different from what listeners might traditionally associate with them while still keeping that sense of determination and optimism at the heart of the music.

06. WATCH U WATCH ME

“Watch U Watch Me” is another personal standout for me, especially because it brings back a particular sound that reminds me of some of NCT DREAM’s B-sides, particularly “Tricky” and “No Escape.” There’s something about that darker atmosphere mixed with a really cool production style that I’ve always enjoyed hearing from the group. It’s not necessarily the bright and playful side of DREAM that people might immediately associate with them, but it’s exactly the kind of musical direction that reminds me how versatile they can be. I love when NCT DREAM experiments with these slightly darker sounds while still making the songs feel unmistakably theirs.

07. COOL FOR ME

Compared to some of the album’s more energetic songs, this one feels a little more laid-back, allowing the group to explore a different side of their vocals. The song expresses a deep devotion to someone they love, and I think the more mellow musical direction works nicely with that sentiment.

08. TUMBLER

I particularly like the concept behind the lyrics, which compare precious shared moments to a tumbler and express the desire to stay by someone’s side without changing. It adds another layer of warmth to the album and fits nicely into the softer, more sentimental moments of the tracklist.

09. SMILE FOR U

Co-written by Haechan, “Smile For U” brings a cheerful pop-rock sound to the album, combining an acoustic band arrangement with a fun influence. I think it’s a lovely sentiment for a song, particularly coming from a group whose music has always carried themes of friendship, growing up, and finding happiness together. Even though it’s currently at the bottom of my personal ranking, that doesn’t take away from what it adds to the album.

10. THIS IS YOUR WORLD

Closing out the album, “This Is Your World” makes a statement with its grand pop-rock production, intense electric guitars, and explosive boy-band sound, in my opinion. Its message of crossing the line between dreams and reality, finding one another again, and continuing to dream together feels like a particularly meaningful way to wrap up this chapter of NCT DREAM’s story. I also love how the song carries that hopeful feeling that has been present throughout so much of the group’s discography.

After listening through all ten tracks, I found myself having a pretty difficult time deciding how to rank this album. One thing I can confidently say is that DREAM AFTER DREAM genuinely has no skips for me. Every song brings something different to the table, whether it’s the production, the melodies, the lyrics, or simply the feeling it leaves behind. My ranking ultimately comes down to the songs I found myself connecting with the most and the ones I can already see myself coming back to.

Here is how I’d rank the album:

1. The Sun
2. Watch U Watch Me
3. This Is Your World
4. Dream After Dream
5. Pressure
6. Tumbler
7. Cool For Me
8. Boogie Woogie
9. Skydive
10. Smile For U

Of course, ranking an album is always subjective, and having a song at number ten doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate what it brings to the project. In fact, I think that’s what makes this album so enjoyable. Each track has its own identity, and there isn’t one particular sound that takes over the entire record. It’s an album where everyone will probably walk away with a different favorite, and I think that’s part of the fun.

Change is never necessarily easy, especially for a group that fans have watched grow together for an entire decade, but what stands out to me is how the six members continue to bring their own colors and musical personalities into the project. Rather than feeling like they’re trying to recreate something from the past, there’s a sense of moving forward while still appreciating everything that brought them here. Personally, I walked away from this album feeling incredibly happy with what NCT DREAM has put together. I love the melodies, the variety of sounds, and the fact that every song manages to leave its own impression on me.

NCT DREAM Album Review by Shay Claudio.
Album artwork: SM Entertainment. Listen to DREAM AFTER DREAM.