NCT Dream Talks MBTIs in New Comeback Titled “ISTJ”
Ever wondered what your MBTI is? I surely did after listening to NCT Dream’s new title track “ISTJ,” so I took the test—it's INFP-A. NCT Dream is a seven-member boy group from SM Entertainment that is a sub-unit of NCT. The members are Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung. This album is jam-packed with 10 songs in total, each with its own personality, and has me and many listeners feeling all types of emotions.
Tracklist:
“ISTJ”
“Broken Melodies”
“Yogurt Shake”
“Skateboard”
“Blue Wave”
“Poison”
“SOS”
“Pretzel (♡)”
“Starry Night”
“Like We Just Met”
Title Track: “ISTJ”
At first, I didn’t know how to feel about the title track, but the moment I sat down and watched the video, I realized I like it. They bring being an ISTJ into a new light. The video is very bright and colorful, but shows them being sent to the hospital because of their MBTIs. The house beat of the track and the concept went together perfectly. While watching, I noticed that this looked and sounded familiar. Then it clicked: the concept is very similar to the movie Back to the Future, and the sound reminded me of the intro to Jersey Shore with the house beat. NCT Dream also shows us an interesting love story. They talk about how they don’t understand why they want to be near or with this person if they are so different from them. It is a nice love story that makes you sit back and think.
When it comes to NCT Dream, they will never miss when it comes to showing their talents to the world. The vocals are amazing, and the rap helped tell the story to its fullest capacity without a doubt. We are able to see everyone sing, even the rappers, who as usual didn’t disappoint. The dancing is very intricate and energetic; it’s full of high energy, and is going to be a difficult one to learn. The part that I think shocked us all was the change in the genre at the bridge of the song. I had to rewind thinking I accidentally went to a different song, when in fact it was still the title track. That was a great touch to the piece and I’m sure it has fans all nodding along. It’s a good title track and will be added to many listeners' playlists.
“Broken Melodies”
This song is a masterpiece to me, and has been on repeat since it came out. The vocal skills are astronomical; I feel like I’m levitating whenever this song is playing. This song could have easily been a title track—that’s how impactful it is. NCT Dream knows how to make an anthem, and “Broken Melodies” is that anthem. This ballad was released before the album came out, and got us excited for the full release. The video is very adorable; it kind of reminds listeners and viewers of how bright and colorful “Hello Future” is. The song talks about how they miss this person, that without this person, they feel broken. It’s a very beautiful song, and the way they talk about the love they have for this person, and how they hate the long distance, is breathtaking. It’s easily one of my favorites on the album.
“Yogurt Shake”
This is another favorite of mine because it’s so cute. While it’s a dance track, it has a hint of R&B as well. This is another song where we get to hear the rappers sing, and the song talks about the feeling they get when they are around this person. They call them sweet and sour and explain how whenever this person is near, they tend to shake and get nervous. It’s an adorable song that is very sweet and captivating. The rap is bold while still being charming, and the vocals are delightful. Another great B-side from NCT Dream.
“Skateboard”
Now this song is about enjoying life. This hip-hop-inspired track is mighty from the moment it starts, grabbing your attention from when the first beat drops — it’s just fun. The way I can describe the feeling I get while listening to this tune is free. “Skateboard” talks about the feeling of riding a skateboard and being liberated, unbound. The rap-based song is very fast-paced and dynamic. It’s a deep song that has a catchy beat that you just want to dance to.
“Blue Wave”
“Blue Wave” is a delightful love song. When the song starts, it kind of reminds me of the opening to a show. The whistling and flute-like tones in the background give me that feeling of being out at sea. In the lyrics, they talk about how in love they are with this person and how they want to just dive into the sea of love. This pop-funk piece is very upbeat and catchy. The members’ harmonizing vocals are heard throughout the song, grabbing your attention the moment you hear them sing.
“Poison”
We got our R&B track that NCT is known for. The vocals and rap in the teaser video had me and many listeners shocked and so ready for this song to drop. The track video is dark and showcases the members’ visuals to the max. Other than the vocals, my favorite thing about this song is the rhythm and flow of the raps. It’s bold but still rides the beat with grace. The vocals are bewitching, and take you the moment you hear them harmonizing. We also got to hear the rappers' beautiful singing voices. The lyrics explain how this person is like poison to them. They talk about how hard it is to be around them, how it hurts to be around them, but they can’t help it—and it’s very powerful. This is for sure another one of my favorites that will be on repeat for me and many listeners.
“SOS”
This is another favorite for me, because it’s so exciting. “SOS” needs to be played at full blast. The beat is hard-hitting, forceful, and strong, and you can’t help but get up and dance while listening. The rappers did not come to play in this one; their raps are intense and flow perfectly with the song. Even the vocals merge into the song. I can see this song playing at a party and everyone jumping around and enjoying themselves. It’s a hype song that makes you want to break into a dance with your friends. I can’t wait to see the choreography for “SOS.” With its powerful beat, the dance is going to be phenomenal.
“Pretzel (♡)”
This song is so Neo, and because of that, it’s another favorite. When I say it’s so Neo, I'm talking about the sound and overall vibe of the song. The sound is futuristic, thunderous, and dynamic; it’s also very entertaining. Every time they said “Pretzel,” I found myself singing along. In the song, they start to describe the process of making a pretzel. It’s very interesting to hear from a listener's point of view. This song also shares the same house beats genre as the title track. The bridge will hype up any listener. It starts smoothly as the beat changes completely, then the build-up comes and you can’t help but move your shoulders to the beat. It’s another great track from NCT Dream that showcases their unique sound.
“Starry Night”
This is a summer pop song with a beautiful story behind it. NCT Dream talks about how when they are with this person, they only think about them. They say cute things like they don’t want this moment to end and that they are just obsessed with them. The harmonizing in the chorus partnered with the upbeat tune this piece has creates a joyful summer bop. It has an endearing melody that is catchy and perky at the same time. This is the pop NCT Dream song that we all know and love.
“Like We Just Met”
For this being the last song on the album, they certainly ended with a bang. “Like We Just Met” is angelic. Listening to this song brought tears to my eyes. The song talks about how they want to stay in the state of love like they had when they first met. The acoustic guitar, the soulful vocals, and the overall chill vibe of this ballad will make one feel like they are drifting away on a cloud. It reminds me of an early One Direction song, with the ethereal vocals in the chorus, the harmonies, and the impactful ending. It tugs at your heartstrings and brings a smile to your face.
Rating this album is hard, because I crumble for anything NCT puts out. But I noticed, like every comeback, NCT Dream put their all into this album. “ISTJ” really focuses on the concept and caters to the many MBTIs out there, with each song having a different vibe. As an NCTzen, I was excited to hear from NCT Dream again, as their last album was released last year. They came back hard with this album, proving how talented and passionate they are about their craft. “ISTJ” is amazing, and certainly left us all excited to see the things that NCT Dream has planned for the future.
“ISTJ” Title Track Score: 7.5/10
“ISTJ” Music Video Score: 8/10
ISTJ Album Score: 9/10
Total Score: 8.2/10
Edited by Aleena Faisal