In line with psychologists, there’s a particular pheromone the human physique releases upon experiencing romantic attraction known as oxytocin, colloquially known as the “love hormone”. Amongst different organic features of oxytocin, one notable impact this hormone has on us is that it causes us to be drawn to somebody’s scent, compelling us to get shut. The extra oxytocin launched, the extra you expertise the textbook signs of a budding romance: butterflies in your abdomen, sweaty palms, a racing coronary heart. Maybe this was the precise sensation NCT DOJAEJUNG hoped to seize via their debut mini-album, fittingly titled ‘Fragrance’.
‘Fragrance’ is an indulgent story of a torrid romance in six elements, chronicling the early phases of all-consuming emotion to a bittersweet finish, the place Doyoung, Jaehyun and Jungwoo are left alone to select up the items. The report opens with the trio instantly setting themselves other than the remainder of NCT’s discography – famously marked by maximalist, digital instrumentation – by opting out of the noise.
Opening monitor ‘Fragrance’ is an earnest devotional suffused with groovy R&B and electro-funk gildings lifted straight from the ’90s. The minimalist tune additionally offers the powerhouse trio – arguably NCT’s most expert vocalists – the right platform to not solely flex their extensive vocal ranges, but additionally spotlight the way in which their vocal tones fuse collectively. ‘Fragrance’ is basically easy, but there’s one thing lovely in that simplicity, cementing its spot as certainly one of NCT’s strongest singles.
‘Kiss’ illustrates the height of an all-consuming want, because the trio croon of the desperation to shut the gap between lovers over bewitching synthesisers. In the meantime, ‘Dive’ is the place ‘Fragrance’ finds itself at its most picturesque, introducing lusher soundscapes, though the lavish method during which the trio’s voices come collectively is what offers it the right texture. Right here, their vocal tones swell and cascade in the identical manner ‘Dive’’s lyrics liken the way in which their love floods like “an untouchable wave”.
The report shines the brightest on ‘Strawberry Sunday’, which is well one of the best monitor among the many bunch. The tune finds DOJAEJUNG in a nigh-paradisiacal state, syrupy lyricism enriched and texturised by ethereal, flirty R&B and pop-punk like an ambrosial plate of dessert on the finish of a savoury meal. Merely scrumptious.
However, as everyone knows, a honeymoon section typically by no means lasts. ‘Can We Go Again’ relays their sorrow over love misplaced, whereas nearer ‘Atypical’ ends the album on a heavyhearted be aware, lyrics tragically sanguine: “Should you’re actually, actually drained / I need to hug you and pat you to sleep / I simply miss you even proper now,” they warble over melancholic notes of a piano. “I’m afraid you received’t like me / I’m afraid you’ll push me away / So, I endured all of it right this moment / I had no selection however to say an atypical ‘howdy’ to you.”
But, each of those songs really feel underbaked when positioned on an album with others so well-grounded in upbeat R&B, virtually as if they have been included for the sake of taking part in it secure. ‘Atypical’ is particularly trite – too many vocal sub-units are relegated to tame balladry, so it’s disappointing to see DOJAEJUNG do the identical.
‘Fragrance’ duly captures Doyoung, Jaehyun and Jungwoo’s vocal prowess, a energy too typically overshadowed by the supergroup’s sonorous inclinations. NCT have all the time been synonymous with unabashed experimentation, and whereas ‘Fragrance’ performs it safer than most would have anticipated, the report nonetheless showcases masterful storytelling and dulcet vocals over a bedrock of clean R&B.
Particulars
- Launch date: April 17, 2023
- Report label: SM Leisure
