Dreamcatcher Returns as 7 in the Powerful “Odd Eye”
With the appearance of Handong for the first time since 2019, Dreamcatcher has finally made their return as a full seven in over a year. Anyone who has heard the name of the group knows they will bring the horror vibes and metal influence. With a long-standing cult following and an exploration into many different genres within the dark concept umbrella, the girls of Dreamcatcher may have just found the formula to finally give them their first music show win.
The Title: “Odd Eye”
You’ll find no slander on Dreamcatcher’s choices of title tracks here, as every one has hit the mark wonderfully every time. While it’s true that their signature is to have elements of heavy metal used in the melody, they have explored a flurry of different genres in addition to that. The previous release “BOCA” dived into a more Latin beat while “Scream” took a more EDM route and “Deja Vu” pulled from classical influences. With such exploration, the question remains, what would come with “Odd Eye?”
In my opinion, “Odd Eye” has all the makings of a viral hit while maintaining the signature Dreamcatcher sound. The beat has a more hip-hop feeling from the moment it drops, and incorporates that alongside an EDM-driven beat that is often heard in popular K-Pop tracks these days. The chorus has an impactful hit, bringing in the electric guitar and repeating a strong melodic line mirrored in the vocals. The mainstream sound is complemented by the metal elements and the strong vocals, which all together pack a punch right from the get-go. Powerful is an understatement with this one, and anyone that has had complaints about the sound being too rock-influenced may find this track more palatable. The lyrics as well paint a vivid picture in the idealistic dream that is utopia, delivering the sobering message that it does not truly exist.
Visually, the music video is a masterpiece. Dreamcatcher has never disappointed with their videography, and that certainly remains true in “Odd Eye.” In fact, it may be one of their strongest points in a comeback, along with hard-hitting choreography. The darker tone of the lyrics is shown in the heavy use of black and red in almost every shot, along with the dark setting where the tree of life from previous comebacks is shown. Perhaps the most powerful imagery comes from a solo JiU shot where she is blindfolded in front of a ring of fire, holding a bouquet of flowers that burn in tandem with the ring behind her. The video ends with an ominous message over a still shot of the tree: “In the end, the Dreamcatchers couldn’t find the Utopia what they dreamed of.” A bit of a grammatical error, but the message still remains clear.
The Album
Dystopia : Road to Utopia features six tracks, kicking off with an intro that flows into the title. Simply titled “Intro,” the opener sets the intense tone for the title track with a heavy drum and bass beat mixed in with some synth. The EDM-driven beat is rather unexpected in terms of a Dreamcatcher track, but there’s no denying that it sets the tone for the title and matches the concept fairly well, given that there are quite a few futuristic elements in it. The sudden ending of the opener brings the energy into the title in a somewhat surprising way.
“바람아 (Wind Blows)” continues with the more synth-heavy theme of the album, pushing the futuristic theme past the title. There’s no denying the track is addictive, especially when the rap verses cut in and fit surprisingly well into the melody. “Poison Love” has a lighter EDM feel, something more along the lines of classic trance and a sound seldom heard from the ladies in their tracks. There’s something fairly addictive about the song, especially if you were around for the late ‘90s/early 2000s boom in trance music. The track sings of a painful love—a feeling all too familiar—and has a strangely cathartic feeling.
“4 Memory” shifts into a more traditional pop focus, with the potential for mainstream popularity due to the catchy beat and recognizable melody. The chorus has an EDM breakdown that spices up the melody and keeps the listener on their toes. What really shines through in this track is the vocal prowess of the members, which are able to shine clearly. The album finishes off with “시간의 틈 (New days),” an upbeat and rock-influenced track that is reminiscent of “Fly High.” Many have commented before that Dreamcatcher tracks sound like anime OSTs, and that is certainly obvious upon first listen with “시간의 틈 (New days).” It sounds like a perfect closer for a shounen anime, which will definitely be thrilling for our crossover anime fans.
All in all Dystopia : Road to Utopia is a solid album, showing a different musical side to this group that is known, at least on the surface, for heavy metal vibes. There is no doubting Dreamcatcher’s talent, and that is only highlighted by their ability to tackle a more EDM-focused album. However, those that are fans of a more diverse sound from the group may be a little less satisfied with the album as a whole. As far as I am concerned, this is just another showcase of Dreamcatcher’s ability to add new genres to their discography. At this point, it’s ridiculous that anyone is sleeping on these abundantly talented girls.