Song Review: NCT Dream – When I’m With You

Last week, NCT Dream unveiled pre-release Flying Kiss, which was… half a good song. Its verses and chorus existed on a different plane from one another, but its best moments offered a peek at what we might hear on the group’s full album. Title track When I’m With You never hits the heights of Flying Kiss, but its upbeat groove is far more consistent.

After this March’s disastrous Smoothie, it’s refreshing to hear an NCT Dream single that’s not built around shouting and blustering. When I’m With You melds 90’s dance elements with the glossy disco-pop of the early 2000’s. Its bass thumps immediately, anchoring a solid beat that gives the group plenty to play with. The production is bright and spacious — an updated version of the youthful sound Dream debuted with. Nothing within the instrumental is particularly unique or memorable, but its unfussy nature will likely play well in the long run.

As with 90% of K-pop songs this year, When I’m With You‘s shortcoming center around its melodies. The track is catchy but very unambitious, delivering a series of hooks that come and go without much effect. At its worst, it has the same anonymous, antiseptic feel that marred Key’s recent solo effort. Dream imbue the track with a bit more personality, but we need a knockout chorus to bring new texture and range. The “when I’m with you” refrain feels more like a concession than a highlight. Surprisingly, the biggest shot of joy comes during a late-track rap verse. The members sound like they’re having actual fun here.

Grade: B-