NCT DREAM are back with a new EP, “DREAM( )SCAPE”, today via SM Entertainment and Virgin Music. The six-track collection, featuring the focus track ‘Smoothie’, is available digitally and on streaming now - with physical versions to be released on 3 May. Listen and pre-order HERE.
This project, which features writing contributions from several of the members, brings out a more mature and intensified musical color for the K-pop wunderkinds. “DREAM( )SCAPE”, pronounced “dream escape,” is hued with lyrics that empathizes with the universal concerns and growing pains of young people, while simultaneously presenting a hopeful message of overcoming adversities and growing together.
The opening track, ‘icantfeelanything’, symbolizes the group’s growth, honestly capturing the fear experienced as one shifts from a numb reality to an idealistic dream. The focus track, ‘Smoothie’, is a captivating hip-hop song with an enticing bassline and rhythmic chants that create a groovy vibe. The lyrics captures the essence of NCT DREAM’s playfulness and positivity; urging listeners to dismiss negativity from the world and within themselves – and instead, turn it into a “smoothie” and drink it away.
Watch 'Smoothie' Music Video
‘BOX’ – with lyrics co-written by MARK – is a hip-hop dance track with lyrics that push back on feelings of confinement, while the sound of breaking glass emphasises the song’s dramatic nature as they sing. With ‘Carat Cake’, the EP shifts to a cheerful pop song, expressing the various temptations that can be encountered in unfamiliar worlds. Reverting back to a more mature and emotional sentiment, the MARK and JENO co-write, ‘UNKNOWN’ delivers a comforting message of determination by imploring others to dive into the unknown world but ensure not to lose oneself among the unfamiliar. The EP closes with ‘Breathing’, a soothing ballad reminding listeners to breathe through moments of exhaustion and desperation, while conveying the courage needed to move forward and face the future. This heartfelt song features lyrics co-written by MARK, JENO, JAEMIN and JISUNG.
Further to the new release; NCT DREAM will embark on their third world tour, 'THE DREAM SHOW 3’, kicking off in Seoul in May 2024. Stay tuned for tour dates in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe to be announced on 8 May.
The multi-million-selling group earned the sixth best-selling album globally in 2023 with their third album “ISTJ” (according to the IFPI Global Charts). The album went on to sell over 4.32 million copies, becoming a career-best for NCT DREAM. It placed on various music charts both domestically and internationally upon release in July 2023. Last year also saw the septet embark on their biggest world tour yet - ‘THE DREAM SHOW 2' - with 41 stops across 26 cities, including a sold-out first UK show at OVO Arena Wembley that drew rave reviews.
Having firmly established themselves on the world stage, expectations are high for what fans can anticipate from the group in 2024.