Every so often, a song charms me in spite of itself. NCT Dream’s pre-release BTTF made so many musical moves that usually draw my ire. Its shouty sound couldn’t be more “NCT,” which has become less of a strength as time has gone on. Yet somehow, the song crossed the rubicon of annoyance and wormed its way into my head. Now, it’s time to see if the album’s second title track can do the same.
Chiller‘s opening bars don’t inspire much confidence. Dream ask if we’re “ready for this” as tepid trap beats unfold. I’m always ready for a good song, guys, but what you’re putting down doesn’t sound particularly enticing. From here, Chiller works in fits and starts. It lacks the intense centerpiece that had me coming back for BTTF but feels lighter on its feet. A funk undertone drives the bulk of the track, and Chiller would be far more successful if it had fully focused on this element. Instead, the song dips into momentum-killing slow jam territory too often. Official descriptions will call this “experimental,” but it’s really not. It’s just ill-advised and makes the track harder to approach and fall into.
I’ve never been a fan of rap-heavy NCT Dream tracks as they usually involve a lot of shouting, and the vast majority of Chiller is either rapped or chanted. The chorus is sprightly but slight and the only moments of melody poke through on those bummer pre-choruses. Then there’s the song’s overly languid bridge, which promises “flipping the beat” but only slows things to an even murkier pace. I want to love this, but there’s simply too many elements working against its best interests. Against all odds, BTTF remains the champion.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
