This is the first time I’m writing about NCT WISH on this blog. I will admit, this is not exactly a coincidence, for I had indeed checked out their debut ‘WISH’ when it was released. It did not compel me enough to write about it. If one has read my blog a couple of times, they will notice that the songs that I choose to write about are those which are are either high-quality or interesting enough (be it in a good or bad way) to be worth making a review on. ‘WISH’ failed to meet both criteria, for while not bad, it feels like a mediocrely done NCT song. I am a big fan of NCT, but when their sound is not done tastefully, its novelty becomes ubiquitous. Fortunately, their follow up ‘Songbird’ is the former.
Songbird thrives on the interplay between the stabbing guitar strums in a classic rhythm that aptly seesaws between tension and release, cleverly incorporated vocal top line that synergises with the rhythm of the guitar, as well as the light percussion especially prominent in the second verse. I can confidently declare that this combination is extremely well put together and had a lot of thought going into it.
The thing with NCT is that because of how their sound often incorporates rapping or sing/talking choruses/sections, the songs often compensate by delivering a very melodic pre-chorus. The same goes with Songbird. However, at this stage in the whole ‘NCT’ sound, there have been numerous pre-choruses that are just so excellent that they have set standard of what a great pre-chorus is in the industry. Unfortunately, the pre-chorus here doesn’t really add anything to the track and falls somewhere in the lower half among other NCT pre-choruses. It doesn’t do much differentiate itself among its peers.
However, the chorus as well as the transition into the 2nd verse is quite immense. NCT DREAM has used the vocal stacking technique in their choruses in some of their best songs like ‘Hello Future’, and it makes a triumphant return in this song, uninterrupted with rap adlibs that many NCT songs like to add which can be a hit or miss. This create grand appeal. Admittedly, the melodies are not as immediately catchy as some other recent bright boy group greats (see TWS). This actually a characteristic that defines most of the track, for I struggle to remember individual parts in my head. However, the overall effect is really compelling, especially the complex vocal melisma performed by one of the best main vocalists in the industry as of the moment, Jaehee. it is genuinely one of the craziest vocal stunts performed in a K-pop song I’ve heard in recent memory, and for that I’ll give them an extra bonus point.
The rap in the second verse was tastefully executed, maintaining a great momentum. Unfortunately, the bridge is a letdown. Bridges are song section that lay in a similar category as pre-choruses within the NCT genre. Even if the rest of the song leaves something to be desired, the bridge would always be a standout. Songbird’s bridge is neither memorable or interesting amidst the world of incredible bridges not only within the NCT sphere but SM entertainment songs. Think of the bridge of f(x)’s ‘Red Light’, for example. Nevertheless, the strength of the verses and the overall chorus doesn’t bring the song down too much, but it is wasted potential.
Overall, ‘Songbird’ establishes NCT WISH as a group to watch out for, though there is plenty of room to improve in their future releases.
Hooks – 7
Production – 9
Vocal Delivery – 9 (+1 for the melisma = 10)
Rap Delivery – 9
Overall – 8.75
K-pop Evaluated 
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