[Album Review] DREAMSCAPE (4th Studio Album) – NCT DREAM

NCT DREAM is nominated for Best Male Group and Best Dance Performance (Male Group) for CHILLER in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. Support NCT DREAM by voting today!

Next up on the hyper-focused 2024 albums yet to be reviewed is NCT DREAM’s DREAMSCAPE, which dropped mid-November 2024 and features the title track When I’m With You. Alongside the title track are 10 other tracks, including the pre-releases Flying Kiss and the group’s first English single Rains In Heaven (links below). There is a consistent theme of dreaminess in DREAMSCAPE, with many songs taking on this characteristic or leaning towards it (at the very least). It creates cohesion and works well with the album’s brighter themes (see more below). I agree with people when they say it isn’t NCT DREAM’s strongest work, but it is still a pleasant listen overall.

Previously, the group released their fifth mini-album, DREAM()SCAPE, which was a lot darker and focused on escaping pain and struggles. That mini-album was led by Smoothie. In contrast, this studio album (also titled DREAMSCAPE, without the brackets) is much brighter and focuses on freedom. More recently, the group released their fifth studio album, Go Back To The Future (led by singles BTTF and CHILLER) and their sixth mini-album Beat It Up (with the title track of the same name).

1. INTRO: DREAMSCAPE – DREAMSCAPE, the studio album’s namesake, begins with some acoustic guitar before developing into a hyperpop track. While the synth work and vocal distortion partway through the song were very cool, I wish some of that acoustic guitar had remained in the track as it developed. This would have made DREAMSCAPE unique and potentially added to the dreamy tinge of the introductory track. Alongside the instrumentation are NCT DREAM’s fresh, youthful vocals, which added to that dreaminess. (8/10)

2. When I’m With You (Title Track) – Click here for my full review of When I’m With You. (7.5/10)

3. Flying Kiss (Pre-Release Track) – Click here for my full review of Flying Kiss. (7.5/10)

4. i hate fruits – NCT DREAM continues the dreamy motif through this pop track. i hate fruits liken the idea of being in love to fruits, with the idea of hating fruits (thus love) is because of how infatuated and centred their world becomes on their lover (though they caveat it with the line that they can never hate it). I really enjoyed the vocals in this one – this is what give i hate fruits its dreaminess. I am also super impressed with the way JISUNG and JAEMIN sound in the bridge – that was a highlight for me. (9/10)

5. No Escape – Hip-hop influences, darting synth work and pounding beats take over in No Escape. Together, these create a bold, edgy track that contrasts with the album’s dreamy motif. This style allows the rappers to showcase their capabilities (which they do extremely well), but I must also commend the smooth texture the vocalists give No Escape. They also contrast nicely with the song’s boldness and edginess. (8/10)

6. Best of Me – Best of Me sees NCT DREAM visit the 80s (perhaps a hint for their July 2025 album release?) synths to create a strong dance track that is reminiscent of past boy bands. The rapping was super edgy and bold in this track. For me, this undoubtedly became one of the song’s strongest drawing points, in my opinion. The rapping also ties in nicely with the chorus’s beat and rhythm, which was another highlight of the song. There were also some great ad-libs in this track. (9/10)

7. YOU (숲) – Through YOU, NCT DREAM continues with the album’s dreamy motif with a low-key synth-based instrumental and R&B vocals that are smooth and delicate. I enjoyed the pleasantness of this number. What is interesting about YOU is that the bridge features a retro, jazzy, hip-hop sequence. This was an unexpected change-up, but it still made the song fun and enjoyable. I also enjoyed the layering in the final chorus between vocals and rapping. (8/10)

8. Heavenly (하늘을 나는 꿈) – Right off the bat, the harmonies stood out in Heavenly for me. They are warm (the same can be said about the rest of the vocals) and remind me of some of their best works (like Broken Melodies). I liked the shouty rap style added to the song. It gave Heavenly extra oomph and created a very inclusive atmosphere to enjoy. Combined with the 80s synth-pop instrumentation, you have a wholesome track that is comforting and inviting. It is hard to fault this one, so there is only one possible rating for Heavenly. (10/10)

9. Night Poem (밤) – Night Poem is another R&B number that is pleasant and enjoyable. The soft, whispery “Bam” (which means ‘night’ in Korean) in the chorus was really beautiful, as was the wispy synth faintly heard in the background. I liked the emphasis they put on some of the lines in the second verse, and the rapping throughout the song provided a nice rhythm. The layering, especially towards the end, was a little standard and didn’t feel well utilised to give Night Poem that wow factor that great layering usually delivers. (7/10)

10. Off The Wall – Off The Wall is the album’s final new offering, bringing us a fun and playful, funky and groovy disco number. With how light and soft the instrumental turned out, Off The Wall is just so easy on the ears and light-hearted at the same time, making it an ideal single to blend with the rest of the album and give us a number to dance to. The vocals and rapping are so dynamic and robust, making it an absolute delight. (10/10)