[Review] Blingy – NCT 127

It has been over 2 years since NCT 127’s last release, WALK (the title of NCT 127’s lead single from their 6th studio album). A lot has happened since then, including military enlistments and members’ departures for various reasons. Currently active in the group are TAEYONG, JOHNNY, JAEHYUN, YUTA, and HAECHAN. This current lineup returned earlier this week with their 7th studio album and its title track, Blingy. Blingy is loud and intense, thanks to the electronic hip-hop and its shouty chorus. It definitely sounds like something we would expect from NCT 127. But I find it interesting that Blingy somehow also feels monotonous and plain. No matter how many times I have listened to the song since its release, it just doesn’t stick. This leaves me disappointed, especially considering the energy the 5 members put into Blingy‘s chorus and how much it comes across. Blingy‘s shouty delivery in the chorus does nothing to grab your attention or make the song memorable. This leaves the verses as the more interesting parts of the song, but there just isn’t enough in them to save the song. The most promising aspects of the song are HAECHAN and YUTA’s vocals during the verses and the amped-up b...