A K-pop act’s title track isn’t always the best song on their album, even if it’s the one most people will hear. Sometimes, b-sides deserve recognition too. In the singles-oriented world of K-pop, I want to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve.
In the history of The Bias List, I don’t think I’ve ever written a “buried treasure” post before an album is released. However, there’s no other way to qualify Angel Eyes. It’s not a title track, yet the entire song has been revealed early thanks to a special performance video. When listening to the sampler for NCT 127’s new album, I instantly knew this would be my highlight.
One of the reasons I get so irritated with NCT’s recent output is that it restricts the ability of the group’s vocalists to shine. I feel like people (and by “people,” I mean producers!) forget how many great singers are part of this unit. Angel Eyes includes the requisite Taeyong/Mark rap verses (not needed here, honestly), but the majority of its time is devoted to robust vocals filtered through a punchy, 80’s pop pastiche. It’s not the Without You sequel I was hoping for, but it’s been awhile since NCT have tackled this sound. I miss it!
Angel Eyes is pure fun, bursting with energy in a way that makes you want to sing along. It’s nice to see the group having a good time, absent the tough guy posturing that so often characterizes their concepts. The guitar is lively and bright and the melodies are cheesy in a heart-on-their-sleeves way that’s actually refreshing. I could do without the slowed-down bridge and I’m not sure how quickly the song’s novelty might wear off, but for now I’m loving this sonic shift.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I also liked this song and was looking forward to it since I listened to the sampler. It was nice to have some vocal moments from members who have not properly “sung” in recent songs, such as Johnny, who has been used as a sub-rapper of sorts lately or is always doing random adlibs, lol.
Though I must say, I think NCT’s producers do take advantage of the group’s incredible vocals, just not always on the title tracks they choose to promote, which are usually more of the hip-hop-chanting style we’ve grown accustomed to calling the “NCT style.” But their album’s bsides are full of rich vocal-centered rnb/ballads with great arrangements and layering. I know you know that since you always listen to them for buried treasures, but when reading “(…) I get so irritated with NCT’s recent output is that it restricts the ability of the group’s vocalists to shine.” I feel like that is a bit overlooked.
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You’re right. I was mainly thinking of their title tracks, I guess.
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My real question is: why is the syncing of the video to the audio =so bad=. Its not even close. Its
That said. I think it is a solid b-side, and sooooooper 80’s As a child of the 80’s, this sounds like a b-side from a band that had a surprise hit so the record company flipped through the rest of the album, and picked this as the 2nd or 3rd single off the album. That synth chord hook later sung in chorus, G# G# G … G# G# G is a classic band making up another song in the studio because two others were rejected by the label. A band like Air Supply or Toto or something.
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the horrendous synching is so distracting! who looked at that and was like ‘yep, looks perfect to me, hit publish’
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I noticed the syncing, too. Super extra weird for what’s supposed to be a “live” video
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it’s also the highlight of the album for me when I listened to the snippets, reminds me of Carly Rae Jepsen (particularly I Know You Have A Girlfriend). Fact Check already sounds like a parody of their recent tracks.
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i could also do without the rap verses tbh, but this is fun and i like it! it’s a little generic but i will take that over a shout-fest. also i forgot that johnny actually has a very pleasant voice! fun to hear it for once! i know taeyong and mark are also both serviceable singers so i don’t know why they didn’t just…have them sing instead of shoehorning rap into a song where it doesn’t really fit. but i’m not mad enough about it to not be bopping along.
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It’s nice to see NCT doing a pop rock song again. Barring the rap bridge, I like the song!
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It’s soooo good, and for me without the rap bits it could have been extraordinary. That being said, though it’s unnecessary and I KNOW Mark and Taeyong have lovely singing voices that they could have put to good use in this song rather than rapping (which I know is sort of trademark NCT, but still), the rap doesn’t distract me very much from how much I enjoy this song. This one will be on repeat, methinks. I am very much a fan of this sound.
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Apparently Taeyong and Mark heavily participated in the writing and composition of this song and they did a great job! Such a fun and different release
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I’m not a fan of NCT 127, but when I heard you praise it, I still tried to listen to the whole song. But it really didn’t impress me personally.
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I like this song way more than without you. It’s so fun and feels like a perfect day. Songs like this and Dream’s my first and last just make me so happy.
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A little too close to sterile 80s AOR for me, but like many songs of the time, I bet it would get more fire live.
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This is probably my favorite song on this album! It certainly is buried treasure. I’m not a huge fan of Fact Check, but Angel Eyes and Love is a Beauty are two amazing b-side tracks that fans should listen to and stream! 🙂
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