After incredible pre-releases and a whole lot of hype, NCT’s MARK has officially released his first solo album, ‘The Firstfruit’. Well-known for his all-rounder talent and vital presence across various NCT sub-units, MARK continues to evolve—and now, he’s stepping into the spotlight solo. Since debut, he’s consistently shown his artistic growth, and this new era promises a deeper look into who he is as an artist.
Let’s get right into it and check the music.
The Firstfruit
‘Toronto’s Window’ kicks things off as the intro—a personal, emotional track featuring soft acoustic guitar and minimal instrumentals. MARK narrates this one, pulling listeners straight into his headspace and offering a glimpse at the inspiration behind this album.
Next up is the title track, ‘1999’, and what a follow-up! The build-up is impressive from the start, complete with choir-style touches. MARK blends melodic rap with his signature style and flow—totally smooth, confident, and cool. The chorus hits hard, and the bridge? A masterpiece with an emotional drop that leaves a mark.
The music video? Cinematic to the core. MARK shows different sides of himself, even a mini-version! The whole thing feels like a movie—creative, stylish, and iconic.
‘Fly to NYC’ follows—a dreamy, ambient track with airport vibes and cool transitions that lead perfectly into the next banger. ‘Righteous’ brings the NEO energy, blending chanting with EDM-driven hip-hop. The bounce, tempo, and rhythm are on point, making this track an absolute standout with just the right edge.
‘Fraktsiya’ featuring Lee Young-ji still goes so hard. This collab blew us away on release and it continues to slap.
With ‘Raincouver’, we enter indie-pop territory. It’s light, warm, and full of charm—complete with lively riffs and even birds chirping.
‘Loser’ is simple but packed with emotion. Soft guitars, sweet vocals, and a rap section that’s raw and personal—MARK wears his heart on his sleeve here. ‘Watching TV’ featuring Crush leans into ‘90s R&B in the best way. Rich instrumentals, seamless transitions, and an overall cinematic sound make it a total listening experience.
‘+82 Pressin’ featuring Haechan still has us hooked. It’s stylish, fresh, and endlessly vibey.
‘200’ turns up the energy with rock vibes, electric guitar layers, and a fast-paced progression that grabs attention from the first beat.
‘Journey Mercies’ shifts the tone into experimental R&B. Lo-fi vibes, lovely synth, emotional delivery—it’s an unexpected but very welcome shift. ‘Mom’s Interlude’ takes things even more personal. It’s a simple but powerful moment, featuring a recorded convo between MARK and his mom over a soft piano backing.
Finally, the album closes with ‘Too Much’—a beautiful blend of piano melodies, emotional vocals, and rap. The arrangement is rich and layered, with unexpected touches that make it a true grand finale.
‘The Firstfruit’ is a powerful first solo album. MARK invites us into his world with a release that feels personal, bold, and completely authentic. From raw moments to full-blown bangers, this album proves that MARK as a soloist is here to stay—and he’s only getting started.
Stream the full album now and immerse yourself in this new chapter.
