We’ve lengthy since crossed the edge of getting definable NCT items with their very own sound and function. As a substitute, the previous 5 or 6 years have seen the rise of an ordinary SM Leisure fashion, and when the company does launch a track that embraces a distinct sound it feels virtually revelatory. Sadly, the one revelatory factor about NCT Dream’s new single Smoothie is how obnoxious and devoid of authentic concepts it’s.

NCT Dream have some bangers of their discography and are at their finest when eschewing the standard gruff NCT textures for pictures of colourful melody. Smoothie doesn’t appear on this in any respect, and that’s evident from its very first moments. It’s laborious to take a track severely when it opens with a whispered “smoothie,” delivered as if it’s probably the most badass phrase to ever exist within the English language. From right here, the verses proceed this posturing earlier than we transfer into exhausting NCT-brand chants. A quick shot of melodic drama takes us into the refrain, which is… one thing.

I’ve lengthy complained about Okay-pop’s penchant for “catchphrase choruses,” wherein one phrase or phrase is repeated over reheated manufacturing. Smoothie takes this to a brand new degree of unhealthy. Not solely is the phrase “smoothie” extremely awkward on this context, however it’s delivered with all the sting of a glitching voice message. Then, in fact, the manufacturing throws in a requisite slurping sound impact simply in case we didn’t already understand how gimmicky the entire thing is. I’d be capable to overlook many of those frustrations if the track itself was catchy and even listenable, however the entire thing appears like NCT working on fumes. It’s troublesome to get by means of.

Grade: F