[Album Review] The Firstfruit (1st Studio Album) – MARK

Earlier last month, news broke that MARK had not renewed his contract with SM Entertainment and would also depart from NCT (including NCT U, NCT 127 and NCT DREAM). As a fan of MARK, I was shocked upon reading the headlines, and I ended up postponing my review of his first studio album, The Firstfruit, to process the news. After a few weeks, I think it is now time to review the year-old album, which was led by the title track 1999, pre-releases Fraktsiya (ft. LEE YOUNG JI) and +82 Pressin’ (ft. HAECHAN from NCT), and 10 other tracks.

For me, The Firstfruit was one of the most anticipated releases in 2025. MARK has already debuted so many times throughout his career, but he was overdue for a solo debut. The Firstfruit showcases MARK in so many ways, and you can feel and hear MARK get personal throughout the album. I personally think these all made The Firstfruit a super successful and strong solo release for the resilient MARK, to the point of earning Best New Male Soloist in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. I can’t wait to hear more from him in the near future and wish him the very best in the next chapter of his music career as a solo artist.

1. Toronto’s Window – Opening up the album is a short number featuring MARK narrating reflections upon his childhood and how he matured over the years. This is done over a soft acoustic guitar backing and the sounds of children playing outdoors. It also sets the inspiration for the rest of the album. As Toronto’s Window is made up of narration and instrumental, I have opted to exclude it from the album’s final rating.

2. 1999 (Title Track) – Click here for my review of 1999. (9/10)

3. Flight to NYC – Flight to NYC is another short track. It is primarily an instrumental track (and thus not included in the final rating), featuring a soft, dreamy piano underlay and a brief EDM hip-hop piece. MARK doesn’t do a whole heap in this track, but his presence is definitely felt through the few lines and fittingly soft interjections he makes in the track.

4. Righteous – MARK taps into the NCT domain for Righteous (a lot of the track reminds me of NCT 127’s 2 Baddies), bringing more of that EDM hip-hop sound from earlier back into the album. It is not my usual song that I would go far, but I enjoyed his energy and how prolific he sounded as he rapped his way through Righteous and how this was supported by the additional rappers/vocals at the end. (8.5/10)

5. Fraktsiya (ft. LEE YOUNG JI) (Pre-release track) – Click here for my review of Fraktsiya. (9/10)

6. Raincouver – After some intense tracks, Raincouver is much-appreciated. It is a pleasant pop track with a bright, easy-on-the-ears vibe that I enjoyed. MARK sounds soft and lovely throughout the song, and I liked the soft repetition of the title (this became quite earwormy). Put all the pieces together, and you have a very comforting and warm track from MARK. (8.5/10)

7. Loser – Loser takes us back to acoustic territory, but also brings some vulnerable emotions to the album. Despite tugging on the emotional heartstrings, I liked MARK’s husky and raspy vocals, as well as his soft-spoken rapping in the second verse. His delivery definitely elevates Loser. I also liked the extra oomph he gives to the track towards the end, making this delicate song more impactful and thus allowing it to stand out more, enough to make it one of my favourite tracks in the release. (10/10)

8. Watching TV (ft. Crush) – Crush’s (a prominent name in the K-R&B space) smooth vocals and harmonies with the backing vocals at the start and throughout Watching TV make the track an instant attraction to me. Watching TV is predominantly an R&B track, but the array of styles in its background makes it super appealing in many ways. MARK was also quite captivating throughout the track in his own ways, and I was really digging how deep his vocals got during the midpoint of Watching TV. (9/10)

9. +82 Pressin’ (ft. HAECHAN from NCT) (Pre-release track) – Click here for my review of +82 Pressin’. (8/10)

10. 200 – So I completely forgot about the music video for 200 (embedded below). Not sure what impression I had about 200 when the album dropped given that, but for this review, I found it hard to put this song down. The energy and style, both musically and regarding MARK’s part, are quite up my alley. 200 features an alternative rock style that draws upon a cool drumstep influence, and I liked how it drove the song forward during the choruses. MARK’s vocals and the textures he leans into for 200 bring a grungy style that just works well with the music and makes it hard to put down. (10/10)

11. Journey Mercies – Journey Mercies is another pleasant R&B track. The mid-tempo instrumental is atmospheric and dreamy, with a slight dramatic tinge at times. MARK’s vocals match the song’s dreamy profile quite nicely. But relative to the other tracks on the album, this one is also the plainest of the bunch. (8/10)

12. Mom’s Interlude – The penultimate track on the album is one that features a recorded conversation between MARK and his mum reflecting on his inspiration for the album. A soft piano melody is also heard in the background. It is a touching track for MARK, who probably keeps the conversation and track close to his heart. I love how there is an expression of love from mother to son in the simple question “What do you want you want for lunch?”.

13. Too Much – From the above expression of love between mother and son, MARK gives it back through Too Much. The track is a hybrid between a rock ballad (the choruses) and a clangy hip-hop sound (the verses), with a brief gospel choir in the background. I liked how much MARK could capture in the track through this hybrid sound. Like Loser, I am loving the extra oomph in the song’s final moment. Too Much is already quite impactful without the oomph, but is made better in its final moments. (10/10)