Dream()scape (pronounced Dreamescape) is the sixth EP by South Korean boy band NCT Dream. Released on March 25, 2024, by SM Entertainment through Kakao Entertainment, the album consists of 6 tracks, including the lead single, "Smoothie".
Dream()scape | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | March 25, 2024 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 18:30 | |||
Language | Korean | |||
Label | ||||
NCT Dream chronology | ||||
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NCT chronology | ||||
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Singles from Dream()scape | ||||
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Background and release
editOn March 5, 2024, SM Entertainment announced that NCT Dream would be releasing their sixth EP, Dream()scape on March 25, releasing a teaser image.[4][5] On March 24, a music video teaser for the lead single, "Smoothie" was released on the SMTOWN YouTube channel.[6] Between March 11 and 15, five short movie-like trailers, titled "()Scape Film" were released.[7]
A music video for "Smoothie" was also released on March 25, featuring band members playing a real-life version of Fruit Ninja.[2] On the same day, the band held a press event in Seoul for the album.[8]
In support of the EP, the band embarked on "The Dream Show 3: Dream()scape" world tour in May.[9]
Critical reception
editDream()scape received mixed reviews from critics. NME's Tássia Assis gave the EP three stars out of five, criticizing "Smoothie" as being "a predictable, borderline-exasperating track", while "the rest of the album is much more creative, cohesive and enjoyable".[1] Cristina Jaleru of the Associated Press wrote that the EP "comes in and out of focus through a combination of tempo changes, innovative sounds [...] and catchy yet somehow forgettable hooks".[10]
Accolades
editListicles
editPublisher | Year | Listicle | Placement | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Billboard | 2024 | The 20 Best K-Pop Albums of 2024 (So Far): Staff Picks | 14th | [11] |
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Icantfeelanything" | Ellie Suh (153/Joombas) |
| dwilly | 2:12 |
2. | "Smoothie" |
|
| Alawn | 3:08 |
3. | "Box" |
|
| LDN Noise | 2:50 |
4. | "Carat Cake" | Jo Yoon-kyung |
| Dan Gleyzer | 2:32 |
5. | "Unknown" |
|
|
| 3:33 |
6. | "Breathing" (숨; Sum [lit. 'Breath']) |
| Cosmo's Midnight | 4:13 | |
Total length: | 18:30 |
Credits and personnel
editCredits adapted from the EP's liner notes.[12]
Studio
- SM Wavelet Studio – recording (track 1–2, 4), digital editing (track 1)
- SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording (all tracks), digital editing (track 2, 4–5)
- SM Droplet Studio – recording (track 1, 3–6), engineered for mix (track 3)
- SM Aube Studio – recording (track 2, 6), digital editing (track 6), engineered for mix (track 6)
- Doobdoob Studio – recording (track 5–6), digital editing (track 3)
- SM Blue Cup Studio – mixing (track 1–2)
- SM Concert Hall Studio – mixing (track 3)
- SM Big Shot Studio – mixing (track 4)
- SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing (track 5)
- SM Starlight Studio – digital editing (track 6), mixing (track 6)
- 821 Sound – mastering (all tracks)
Personnel
- SM Entertainment – executive producer
- NCT Dream – vocals (all tracks)
- Mark – lyrics (track 3, 5–6), composition (track 3, 5–6), background vocals (track 4–5)
- Renjun – background vocals (track 2–4)
- Jeno – lyrics (track 5–6), composition (track 5–6), background vocals (track 5)
- Haechan – background vocals (track 1–2, 4–5)
- Jaemin – lyrics (track 6), composition (track 6), background vocals (track 4, 6)
- Chenle – background vocals (track 1–5)
- Jisung – lyrics (track 6), composition (track 6), background vocals (track 3–6)
- Ellie Suh (153/Joombas) – lyrics (track 1)
- Na Do-yeon (153/Joombas) – lyrics (track 2)
- Bang Hye-hyun – lyrics (track 2)
- Cha Ri (153/Joombas) – lyrics (track 3)
- Jo Yoon-kyung – lyrics (track 4)
- Lee Seu-ran – lyrics (track 5)
- Woo Seung-yeon (153/Joombas) – lyrics (track 6)
- Patrick "J. Que" Smith – composition (track 1)
- Jason Hahs – composition (track 1)
- David "Dwilly" Wilson – composition, arrangement, background vocals (track 1)
- August 08 – composition (track 1)
- Harold "Alawn" Philippon – composition, arrangement (track 2)
- Benji Bae – composition (track 2)
- Robbie Jay – composition (track 2)
- Greg Bonnick (LDN Noise) – composition, arrangement (track 3)
- Hayden Chapman (LDN Noise) – composition, arrangement (track 3)
- Danny Shah – composition (track 3)
- Taet Chesterton – composition (track 3)
- Dan Gleyzer – composition, arrangement, background vocals (track 4)
- Tony Ferrari – composition (track 4)
- Niklas Jarelius Persson – composition, arrangement (track 5)
- William Segerdahl – composition, arrangement (track 5)
- Ninos Hanna – composition (track 5)
- Micky Blue – composition (track 6)
- Realmeee – composition (track 6)
- Patrick Liney (Cosmo's Midnight) – composition, arrangement (track 6)
- Cosmo Liney (Cosmo's Midnight) – composition, arrangement (track 6)
- Etham Basden – composition (track 6)
- Young Chance – vocal directing (track 1–2, 4–5)
- Ju Chan-yang (Pollen) – vocal directing (track 1–4), background vocals (track 6)
- MinGtion – vocal directing (track 5–6)
- Kang Eun-ji – recording (track 1, 4), digital editing (track 1)
- Noh Min-ji – recording (all tracks), digital editing (track 2, 4–5)
- Kim Joo-hyun – recording (all tracks), engineered for mix (track 3)
- Kim Hyo-joon – recording (track 2, 6), digital editing (track 6), engineered for mix (track 6)
- Jang Woo-young – recording (track 5–6)
- Eugene Kwon – digital editing (track 3)
- Jung Eui-seok – mixing (track 1–2)
- Nam Koong-jin – mixing (track 3)
- Lee Min-kyu – mixing (track 4)
- Kim Cheol-sun – mixing (track 5)
- Jeong Yoo-ra – digital editing (track 6), mixing (track 6)
- Kwon Nam-woo – mastering (all tracks)
Charts
editAlbum
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Monthly chartsedit
|
Single
editWeekly charts
editChart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
China Korean Songs (TME)[29] | 1 |
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[30] | 57 |
Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[31] | 43 |
South Korea (Circle)[32] | 3 |
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[33] | 17 |
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[34] | 18 |
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
South Korea (KMCA)[35] | 2× Million | 2,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Accolades
editSong | Program | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
"Smoothie" | Show Champion | April 3, 2024 | [36] |
M Countdown | April 4, 2024 | [37] | |
Music Bank | April 5, 2024 | [38] | |
Show! Music Core | April 6, 2024 | [39] |
References
edit- ^ a b Assis, Tássia (April 4, 2024). "NCT Dream – 'Dream( )scape' review: a darker, vulnerable hue to the ever-optimistic septet". NME. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (March 25, 2024). "NCT Dream Drop Dream( )Scape Mini Album, Action-Packed Video For 'Smoothie'". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Benjamin, Jeff (March 25, 2024). "NCT Dream Open Up on Maturing & Taking More Creative Control in Group's 'New Chapter'". Billboard.
- ^ "NCT Dream to return with new album 'Dream( )scape'". Korea JoongAng Daily. March 5, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Yoo, Hong (March 5, 2024). "NCT Dream to return with new EP, 'Dream()Scape,' this month". The Korea Herald. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Kang, Ka-hee (March 24, 2024). NCT DREAM 'Smoothie' MV 티저 공개..비장한 스토리 컴백 기대감 ↑ [NCT DREAM 'Smoothie' MV teaser released... Expectations for a tragic story comeback]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Park, Gyeol (March 15, 2024). NCT 드림, 트레일러 마지막 편 공개…"성장통 겪는 청춘들에게" [NCT Dream, final trailer released... “For young people experiencing growing pains”]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Pyo, Kyung-min (March 25, 2024). "NCT DREAM drops 'DREAM( )SCAPE' album with more intense themes". Korea Times. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Chin, Carmen (March 25, 2024). "NCT Dream play 'Fruit Ninja' in real life for 'Smoothie' music video". NME. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Jaleru, Cristina (March 25, 2024). "Music Review: NCT Dream try to pin down a vibe in latest EP, 'DREAM( )SCAPE'". AP News. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Benjamin, Jeff (July 8, 2024). "The 20 Best K-Pop Albums of 2024 (So Far): Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ NCT Dream (2024). Dream()scape (photobook). South Korea: SM Entertainment, Kakao Entertainment. Credits.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – NCT Dream – Dream()scape" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – NCT Dream – Dream()scape" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – NCT Dream – Dream()scape" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ "Dream()scape — Week 21, 2024" (in Croatian). HDU. May 19, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – NCT Dream – Dream()scape". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Week: 20/2024)". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2024-05-06" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2024-05-06" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of May 1, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ "Circle Album Chart – Week 13, 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – NCT Dream – Dream()scape". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ "NCT Dream Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "NCT Dream Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "NCT Dream Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2024-04" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ "Circle Album Chart – March 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "韩语榜 – 2024年第1期" [Korean Chart – Issue 1, 2024]. Tencent Music. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of April 3, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2024-04-08" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ "Digital Chart – Week 13 of 2024" (in Korean). Circle Chart. March 24–30, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ "South Korean album certifications – NCT Dream – Dream()scape" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ SHOW CHAMPION 512회 TOP5 [SHOW CHAMPION Episode 512 TOP5]. MBC Plus (in Korean). April 3, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ Lim, Ye-bin (April 4, 2024). NCT 드림, '스무디'로 '엠카' 1위 "시즈니 고마워" [NCT Dream, No. 1 on 'M Countdown' with 'Smoothie' "Czennies thank you"] (in Korean). Celuv Media. Retrieved April 4, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Lee, Nam-hee (April 5, 2024). [뮤직뱅크] NCT DREAM, ‘Smoothie’로 1위 쾌거...“시즈니에게 바치겠다” [[Music Bank] NCT DREAM achieves 1st place with ‘Smoothie’… “IㅣWe dedicated it to our Czennies”] (in Korean). KBS Media. Retrieved April 5, 2024 – via Naver.
- ^ Lee, Ha-na (April 6, 2024). ‘음악중심’ NCT DREAM 1위 “행복 챙기는 7드림” TXT 컴백→나우어데이즈 데뷔[종합] [‘Music Core’ NCT DREAM No. 1 “7 dreams that bring happiness” TXT comeback → Nowadays debut [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved April 7, 2024 – via Naver.