On October 12, NCT WISH returned with their fourth mini-album, I SPY, releasing six new songs for fans with a unique concept.
Before the album was released, the concept photos wouldn’t have given fans any hint of what to expect. It started with more mysterious, darker photos that fit “I SPY,” but then became very Y2K with bright colours and bold fashion pieces, which didn’t seem to suit the title but fitted the group’s overall concept.
From the very beginning of the title track “I SPY,” NCT WISH showcased their unique identity with a song that opens with a chant before quickly giving way to the members’ strong vocals. The beat of the track balances with the more “ballad-like” vocals, creating a fusion before the chorus picks up pace and becomes more of a dance beat. It then changes again as the rap verse is added, and once again for the bridge, creating layers throughout the song and making it even more interesting to listen to. The use of repetition in the chorus is extremely catchy, ensuring fans remember the track’s key point. Starting and ending with the “I spy-I I I I, with my little eye” brings the track full circle, making it feel complete.
The video is also the perfect match for the song, with bold technological concepts that are contrasted with bright colors and sets that look like a children’s show, all mixed with some dark choreography scenes. It might seem overwhelming with a constant wave of strong changes, but it adds to the excitement of the track.
“We Own This Street” starts with a ballad vibe, but as the song brings in a techno beat, like the title track, it’s hard to pin it to a single genre or style. In particular, the quite static, chant-like nature of the chorus seems to clash with the opening verses. As the song progresses, the gradually increasing tempo of the background music makes the transition more seamless throughout.
Starting with a rap, “UPGRADE” already feels like something different from the previous songs, with a much darker R&B feel that wraps the members’ softer vocals around the more rugged chorus. Throughout NCT WISH’s discography, the ability to blend the members’ more angelic vocal tones with genres that wouldn’t typically suit them demonstrates the group’s versatility. In particular, the release of a performance of the song helps push its power through precise, slick choreography.
While NCT WISH seems to have an identity unique from the other units, “Hubble Time” feels more reminiscent of classic NCT tracks, with an R&B genre through the beat and production. It also wouldn’t seem out of place compared to some of SHINee’s past songs, taking the best of their senior SM artists and putting their own spin on the genre.
“Super Major” also has that feel by presenting itself as a pure dance track. The upbeat tempo and sound effects used in the song seem to be the focal point, with the members’ vocals working around it. While the song is catchy, the beat sometimes feels overpowering and quite distracting, making the members fade. Yet, it has a lot of potential to be a great song to perform, especially in front of big crowds.
“Like A Dream” is the perfect way to end the album. Throughout the song, it is clear that they have sampled the hit Carpenters song “Close to you.” It has meant that the track has a calmer feel, with a soft instrumental focus on piano and an embrace of the pure textures of the members’ vocals. Even the rap verse had a softer feel, like a warm hug, exuding comfort and contentment.
I SPY is definitely an album that promotes NCT WISH’s versatility across a range of genres. While the members tend to have softer voices, the production ensured that the vocals fit the songs and made everyone shine.
NCT WISH is on Instagram and all major streaming platforms. You can listen to I SPY here.
