Source: SM Entertainment

Mini-Album Review: NCT DREAM – Reload

New day, new comeback. Today the Dreamies are back with their new mini-album ‘Reload’ and I’m very excited because we didn’t just get a new release. We also got the announcement of NCT DREAM becoming a fixed unit a couple of weeks ago, the members now being able to be part of the other rotational sub-units and also Mark being included in the new system after this comeback. What else can we ask for?

This is a good year for NCTzens. We are being well fed and I just can’t wait for what’s next (Maybe a OT21 comeback?). For now, let’s dive into this release.

Reload

The title track ‘Ridin’’ starts this EP off strong with heavy hip-hop beats. It’s definitely a song that goes more into performing, however we get some incredible rapping from Jeno and Jaemin. We get a taste of rapper Haechan, and some great vocals by Renjun, Chenle and Jisung (whose voice get deeper every single comeback). 

Can we just appreciate how great they look in the music video? Check it out below. 

Next is ‘Quiet Down’, and this track is just so good! It follows a similar style as the title track but the incorporation of EDM is amazing and it fits so well the vocals and vibe of this song. I love the members’ harmonization for the chorus and the bridge left me absolutely astonished. 

7 Days’ changes things up with a more R&B inspired feel. This track suits the vocal line of NCT DREAM really well and it is a really cool listen. ‘Love Again’ follows it starting strong with rapper Haechan, and turning this into a fun track with an old school vibe I did not expect but loved. Is there something they can’t pull off?

Closing this mini-album is ‘Puzzle Piece’, and this song is just soft. Jeno and Jaemin participated in the writing of the lyrics and this track is perfect to appreciate how incredibly talented NCT DREAM is. It is an acoustic piece with the bare minimum of music accompaniment but stunning, angelic and dreamy vocals. 

This mini-album marks the end of an era for the Dreamies, and I cannot believe how much they have grown since the ‘Chewing Gum’ era. Let’s keep supporting them in the next stage of their career and in the meanwhile listen to this full release below. 

Kathleen Herrera
K-Beauty enthusiast, Drama Lover, Melophile and Foodie, writing about her faves on a daily basis.