NCT U's rotational concept (meaning members will change based on each song due to the fact that they are chosen to best represent the concept) means that the group is all over the place when it comes to any sort of musical identity. Rather than causing a hindrance to the group, it makes every new song exciting, different, and a thrill to listen to. Here are the NCT U essentials:
1. "Baby Don't Stop" (2018), performed by Taeyong and Ten
If you're unfamiliar with this blog, let it be known that the writer is OBSESSED with this song. I seriously cannot stop listening to it. I have new realizations every day about this song that make me love it even more. The production takes you on a journey of twists and turns. Ten's singing is stunning and such a surprise. The choreography is mesmerizing. Taeyong singing is such a delight and surprisingly soothing. The fact that the song's lyrics use gender-neutral nouns is low-key super progressive. The fact that Ten starts off the song and immediately draws you in, as opposed to Taeyong, who usually starts off NCT songs he's in. The whispered chorus is such an ear worm and really sexy. On paper, Ten and Taeyong’s voices shouldn’t sound so damn good together, but it does. Taeyong, known for his gravelly rapping tone, doesn’t overwhelm nor distract the listener from Ten’s smooth, effortless vocal delivery. Sonically, it’s just amazing. It’s so satisfying to listen to. Everything about this song is just perfect. It’s subversive, playful, experimental, unconventional, funky, and a complete delight.
2. "Yestoday - Extended Version" (2018), as performed by Taeyong, Doyoung, Mark, and Lucas
This song deviates quite far from every other NCT U song. While in the vein of a hip-hop track, nothing about this song is particularly aggressive. It's meditative, emotionally vulnerable, and soulful, backed by a gorgeous, shimmery, ethereal backtrack. Taeyong, Mark, and Lucas dominate the song with their disparate rap verses, with Doyoung's gorgeous voice weaving between those verses to act as a sort of narrator. Taeyong and Mark write and rap about very personal experiences in this song, something you don't really see much from an SM group.
3. "The 7th Sense" (2016), as performed by Taeyong, Doyoung, Ten, Jaehyun, and Mark
This remains NCT's most well-known song. NCT U's debut song is truly amazing. It's hard to concisely describe this song. Nothing about it is particularly melodic, but the haunting hook is undeniably catchy. NCT U is known for hard, dominant bass lines, and you can certainly credit "The 7th Sense" and its cult following for encouraging SM to continue using those bass lines. The choreography is incredible, and the lyrics are actually really deep, discussing the nature of dreams. It is a very confident debut, a song that makes a very timeless statement while still being incredibly experimental. Fans still consider this the superior NCT song, and it's hard to argue against that.
4. "Without You" (2016), as performed by Taeil, Doyoung, and Jaehyun
This rock-infused song was a surprise, given I expected a somber ballad from NCT U's vocalists at the time of their debut (I mean, the title is "Without You"). As someone whose favorite member is main vocalist Doyoung, I fell in love with his voice even more, and it really shows how talented NCT's vocalists are in general.
5. "Boss" (2018), as performed by Taeyong, Doyoung, Jaehyun, WinWin, Jungwoo, Lucas, and Mark
The first song released for NCT's ambitious 2018 project, "Boss" certainly makes a statement about the kind of confident, unique, and experimental style that permeates NCT U's image. It's also a fantastic introduction to new members Jungwoo and Lucas, who both shine bright in the music video. As someone who didn't think much about NCT before the release of "Boss" (I watched "The 7th Sense" once in January 2018 and didn't think much of them until recently), it certainly was an excellent way to reintroduce myself to how much the group has evolved in the near two years since they've debuted.
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