Universe - The 3rd Album

K-pop boy-band collective NCT returns with their first full-length in a year, a massive 13-song compilation that plays to the strengths of the 23-member group’s sub-units. The majority of the tracks are credited to the evolving NCT U: The single “Universe (Let’s Play Ball)” is stacked with layered vocal harmonies—a classic NCT move, no doubt bolstered by Doyoung, Jungwoo, Mark, Xiaojun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, YangYang, and Shotaro’s performance style. That’s also evidenced on the trap-forward “OK!”, the soulful R&B of “Know Now,” and the sultry piano-lounge music of “Sweet Dream.” The hard-hitting hip-hop and Y2K vocal coos of NCT 127 break through (“Earthquake”), as do the retro synth-pop and romantic vocal melodies of NCT DREAM (“Dreaming”); Chinese boy band sub-unit WayV delivers the English-language “Miracle.” On the closing track, all members of NCT (save for Winwin and Lucas, who’ve been absent this album cycle) team up for the life-affirming anthem “Beautiful.” It’s a lovely way to end their 2021 chapter: “You’re the most important person in your life,” Johnny opens the track. “So be yourself/Be beautiful.”

On album three, NCT offer their voices in a not-always-cohesive amalgamation of genre-splicing, head-bopping bangers