Hello everyone and welcome back to The Hallyu Refraction. First off I wanted to say thank you for being patient this week as I have not been able to post any review content due to illness. Moving forward I may make amendments to my schedule but I still hope that you enjoy my content nonetheless.
The first review for this week is a doozy. One of Kpop's most underrated girl groups has finally made their latest comeback with their full length album! The group in question is none other than Happy Face Entertainment's Dreamcatcher. Dreamcatcher is a group that debuted in January of 2017 formed from the remnants of a previous girl group called MINX. With the addition of new members the former members of MINX were able to form the 7 member girl group we know today. Following the dissolution of MINX, Dreamcatcher was founded with an almost polar opposite concept and sound from their previous group focusing on darker more rock-inspired elements largely absent from the Kpop scene. As a result Dreamcatcher have done well in carving out a signature sound and style that compliments the visuals and talent of each of the members of Dreamcatcher so far leading to moderate success. It's no doubt with the release of their first full length album that Dreamcatcher is looking to further their current success and widen their popularity both internationally and domestically. The album itself contains 14 songs, 3 of which we have heard previously; 2 being fan songs and 1 being Siyeon's solo song which I reviewed here on THR. So without further ado let's jump into the album review.
Track 1: Intro
Common in many full length albums, and even some mini albums, is an intro track that aims to set the overall tone and vibe of the following track listing. The Intro song on Dreamcatcher's first full length album is no different. Intro tracks typically also highlight technical elements we're likely hear throughout the album. In this particular track we can hear a fusion of darker EDM-style drum beats and unique instrumentation which serves to anchor the darker concept signature to Dreamcatcher. This is then followed by their equally signature use of soft piano notes that often go hand in hand with the members soft and airy vocals. While this track doesn't have any vocals the latter half of the song, or what you might consider the bridge, is a fantastic transition from the earlier, more dark, sections of the song which aim to highlight the diversity we are likely to expect in the album. Altogether I felt Intro was a nice way of helping us understand the sonic direction of the album and it sets up the next track perfectly which just so happens to be Dreamcatcher's title track for this comeback
My rating
Song: 7.5
Concept: 7.5
Overall rating: 15/20
Track 2: Scream
The title track for Dreamcatcher's first full length album is called Scream. Check out the music video below before we get into the discussion.
First off, let me preface this discussion by saying that the music video for Scream is nothing short of extraordinary from a group and company only recently finding moderate success. Production quality of this music video overall is very high with better special effects implemented here than in music videos likely costing two or three times this amount. A blend of performance sections and narrative building scenes really complement the dynamic nature of the song Scream. The music video for Scream does focus heavily on the overall story being portrayed throughout this comeback through both the imagery featured in the music video and the lyrics of the song. Dreamcatcher have never been a shy group and I have loved their willingness to stand up for what is right during this comeback. Without going into too much detail Scream is a song about the growing social issue of anonymous hate comments and the resulting poor mental health experienced by performers, such as Dreamcatcher, due to the constant scrutiny they endure. In combination with Paradise, Siyeon's solo song that is also featured on this album, the album Dystopia really aims to shine a light on the ongoing difficulting many idols are facing in the Kpop world from undue, and unwanted, hate comments.
I appreciate how Dreamcatcher have been able to encapsulate this message and how well they've communicated it through the story in the music video itself. Visually this music video continues on from Dreamcatcher's most recent string of high quality productions which is wonderful to see. Sections of complete CGI and green screen are used in contrast with performance sections that are used to highlight the powerful choreography used for this comeback. I appreciate the duality of this music video as we both get to the see the members exploring acting while also seeing them perform as dancers and singers. Praise must also be given to the stylistic elements incorporated within the music video. The members outfits and styling are top notch with many of the members experimenting with new hair colours and styles we have yet to see from them. In particular the black outfits used during the chorus are my favourite as they highlight the performance of the choreography while still complimenting the members aesthetics.
Also, can we all take a minute to appreciate Sua's sword.....alrighty, moving on. The members that really stood out in the music video for me were Siyeon, Dami, and Gahyeon. While each member had great presence in the video it was these three members that I felt really embodied the concept of the song and video the best. Lastly, I would like to compliment who's ever idea it was to include a 7th stand-in member for Handong as not only does it compliment the overall mysterious vibe of the music video having someone dance in a mask, but it's also highly sentimental and effective at keeping the feeling that member Handong is very much with the group even though she is on a small hiatus. A nice touch if you ask me. Now let's talk about the meat of this comeback, the song.
Scream is without a doubt my favourite song on this album. Not only is it entirely title track worthy but it might even be my favourite song from Dreamcatcher out of all their material. It might come as no surprise to fans who have already listened to the album but Scream is an unapologetic offering showing the combination of the groups versatility throughout the album in conjunction with their signature style and sound. While Scream is firmly rooted in the groups rock-infused Kpop sound there are some technical vocal and instrumental flourishes in this song that really bring it to life. This is most evident in the chorus where we are treated to an EDM-esque guitar rift lifted up with a powerful drum beat with energetic pacing. This is arguably the hook of this song. Rather than a vocal hook, which they still utilise in this track but to a lesser extent, the EDM riff is the integral sound of this song and likely the element that will become most recognisable from the song in months and years to come. While the instrumental for Scream is nothing short of fantastic the vocals featured on the song are also top notch. I honestly cannot pick a member that stood out for me vocally in Scream. Each member really highlighted why when they come together as a group they make something special and deserving of greater fame and fortune. Everyone's vocal on this track is some of the member's best individual work. If I absolutely had to praise a single member it would be Dami. She is here for blood this comeback and her rapping sections are incredible in Scream; not to mention all throughout the album. Her deeper more aggressive tone is highly complimentary when contrasted with the nature of the song, especially the instrumental used in the chorus and second verse.
Much like the praise I gave the music video for its effectiveness in portraying the message of Scream, the lyrics are nothing short of spectacular. Powerful lines such as "Even when everyone throws rocks at me, I can't escape", "Please I don't want to scream", and "Even if I drink away the burning parchedness, they blame the hypocrisy on me" really drive home message Dreamcatcher are portraying with this song. These lyrics are poignant and straight forward and because of this they're super effective in delivering the message while complimenting the aggressive nature of the song. While I have been singing the praises of Scream there is unfortunately one area where the group continues to show it's weaknesses, and that is the line distribution. I understand that when it comes to music that this is a form of entertainment and the end goal is often just to sell as many albums as possible hence why they give the best singers the most lines. However, in Kpop I feel like the members themselves are a part of that commodity and when particular members are shunned or underutilised it gets noticed by fans and non fans alike and can create problems. Line distribution in Scream, while more fair than previous Dreamcatcher title tracks, still lacks in overall equality with members Dami and Gahyeon getting the short end of the stick. It would be interesting however to see how this song is divided up with the addition of Handong's vocals and whether this will improve the line distribution overall, for now though I will continue to advocate for better line distribution within Dreamcatcher's songs. All in all I am left impressed by the quality of the production in Scream and the flourishes the group have used to make this song as dynamic and intense as previous songs from the group. A special mention has to go to the bridge in Scream also. Even though it's quite typical of a Dreamcatcher song to feature a soft and airy bridge, this one was perfectly placed to echo the lyrics of the song which made it all the more effective in my opinion.
To finish up we'll take a quick look at the dance for Scream. Dreamcatcher has previously demonstrated that while the members are vocally talented they're also some of the best idol dancers in the business. The choreography for Scream reinforces this notion by focusing on powerful choreography to compliment the intensity of the song. If you've ever been worried about how to spell the word synchronised just spell it Dreamcatcher because you will be correct every damn time. This group demonstrates the kind of discipline in dancing that only comes from a group that not only works well together but continues to practice even after they have successfully learned their choreo. If you wanted a demonstration of just how good Kpop idol dancers can be, I encourage you to check out the Dance Video for Scream as it does a wonderful job in highlighting the key elements of the dance while giving some of the members more screen time when compared to the more narrative focused music video. In relation to performance aspects of Scream the members that really shine for me are Siyeon (at this point I'm starting to believe she can do nothing wrong), Sua, Yoohyeon and Dami. While each member is an accomplished dancer in their own right when they come together as a group they really compliment the overall vibe of the song providing elements of ferocity (Siyeon), power (Sua), elegance (Yoohyeon), and depth (Dami). Overall I absolutely love the choreography for Scream and think it perfectly suits the intensity of song to the point I couldn't imagine any other dance would match as well. I also have to praise the addition of the masked member in keeping the formation changes and choreo suited for a 7 member group. This was a clever move on the part of Dreamcatcher and Happy Face and demonstrates that this group is aware of the power and potential in attention to detail.
My rating
Music Video: 9
Song: 9.5
Concept: 9.5
Style: 9
Dance: 9.5
Overall rating: 46.5/50
In conclusion I can safely say that Scream by Dreamcatcher is my favourite title track from the group to date by the smallest of margins. The combination of Dreamcatcher's signature sound fused with EDM structure really is the epitome of great music for me. While it might not be everyone's taste, with many Insomnia's preferring the rock-only vibe of many of Dreamcatcher's songs, I love that the group experiments constantly with their sound while always holding true to their intensity and power. Scream also plays the important role of anchoring the core message and vibe of the entire album of Dystopia and I think it does a wonderful job in tying all the different elements and styles of the album to create a complete Dreamcatcher experience. My only criticisms for Scream are the lacking equality in line distribution and the fact the song isn't nearly long enough.
Track 3: Tension
Moving on from the title track we have the third song on the track listing called Tension. My immediate reaction to this song was that while Scream was experimental in it's delivery playing around with genres we haven't really heard from Dreamcatcher in title track form, the song Tension was at its core, a Dreamcatcher song. Using their signature style and sound this song really goes for the jugular. While it can be said that many of Dreamcatcher's songs would feel at home being an Anime opening track Tension is so much more. While it would definitely suit being an opening track for an interesting anime this song has enough merit that it can stand happly on it's own.
Tension is a fantastic song that with a few tweaks could have easily been a title track song in its own right. Many of the elements on this song are nostalgic to fans of Dreamcatcher and you can often hear influences and snippets of previous songs hidden within the arrangement of the song. I feel like perhaps this was a track that Dreamcatcher have been holding onto for a little while as it really does sound reminiscent of their earlier material in 2017 and 2018. If you want a classic Dreamcatcher bop and a blast from the past, look no further.
My rating
Song: 8
Concept: 8.5
Overall rating: 16.5/20
Track 4: Red Sun
The fourth song on the album is Red Sun. It is with this track that we begin to see Dreamcatcher really begin to show off their versatility and range. This song does not have any one definitive genre in my opinion as it's more of a fusion of many elements we've previously heard from both Dreamcatcher and Kpop as a whole. What I can say however is that this song is phenomenal. The unique instrumental used in this track is beautiful, warm, yet somehow still has a dark vibe that I really appreciate in contrast with the members deeper toned vocals. Dami proves herself once more in Red Sun as someone who is far more competent and artistic than your typical Kpop girl group rapper. She truly knows the uniqueness and timber within her voice and uses it to the fullest effect.
Additionally I think member JiU's voice compliments this unique song the most as she is someone very comfortable using her falsetto tone without lacking any of the emotion and intrigue created by the song; sometimes falsetto can make one seem devoid of emotion as they seek technical proficiency rather than capturing the vibe/meaning of the song itself. As a whole this track is wonderfully produced and I could have easily accepted this song as a double title track if Dreamcatcher wanted to experiment more with their performances. I would very much like to see a choreography created for this song by the members because I think it would truly only be them that would be able to craft something that captures the vibe and magic of Red Sun. Even though the lyrics for Red Sun are simplistic in nature I recommend Dreamcatcher fans to seek out a translation so you can appreciate the artistry on offer here. These lyrics compliment the tone and instrumental of the song so well that I can easily picture a music video just from the visual given off by the lyrics alone. All in all this song is a great package and really highlights the groups growing versatility and willingness to experiment with sounds we have yet to hear from the group. More of this please!
Edit: So while I was writing this review Dreamcatcher actually performed a live stage of Red Sun choreographed by member Sua herself. I was 100% right in thinking that having the members participate in creating the choreography would be the best option as they were so confidently able to capture the tone and vibe of this unique song. In my opinion the song also got even better having been performed live. The subtle nuances amplified by the performance aspect really drove home to me that this song is likely one of the groups favourites and their willingness to promote it also shows me they're not afraid to break out of their sound and explore new concepts in front of their audience.
My rating
Song: 9.5
Concept: 9.5
Style: 8.5
Dance: 9
Overall rating: 36.5/40
Track 5: Black or White
Wow. It's hard to even process the fifth track of the album called Black or White. Dreamcatcher yet again is here to show us their versatility and ability to capture their signature style and vibe within new genres of music we have yet to hear from the group. Black or White is probably the most unique track on the album and I appreciate even the fact that it just simply exists. I love this song not so much for it's dirty bassline and funky beat but also because members JiU, Dami, and Siyeon helped to craft the clever lyrics of Black or White. Lines such as "Black or White, I'm neither, the answer you want is not me" is such a powerful message captured within such a fun and funky song.
The overall message of this song is that there is no one single option or path one must follow and to be able to realise this is to escape the boundaries that obstruct us from being free. It's a surprisingly powerful song wrapped up in an interesting new sound foreign to Dreamcatcher and their fans alike. I love that the girls continue to experiment with their vocals too in particular I appreciate the attention given to the vocal manipulations used in the latter half of the song. I've said this previously but I really like it when producers get creative using the members vocals as instruments themselves. Member Yoohyeon vocals really stood out in this song with Dami's deeper toned raps working in unison to make Black or White one of my favourite tracks on Dystopia. My only criticism however is that the line distribution for this particular track is lacking overall and member Gahyeon is heavily underutilised here which is a real shame.
My rating Song: 8.5
Concept: 8.5
Overall rating: 17/20
Track 6: Jazz Bar
The sixth track on Dreamcatcher's new album is the track Jazz Bar. This track is perhaps the biggest departure from the groups signature style. Immediately this smooth and jazzy track brought back memories of Red Velvet's Automatic. The instrumental for this track is in perfect unison with the members soft and honey like vocals. It was wise of Dreamcatcher's producers to slow down the album midway through to give the listener a breather from the absolute sonic assault Dreamcatcher has launched on Kpop. This song is honestly something very special. It sheds the groups image and brings us something completely new and fresh from the members. It also serves to highlight the vocal skill of some of the members when employing their lower register.
It's no surprise that the main vocalist Siyeon really shines here with expert use of her chest voice to perfectly convey the tone of the song through her vocal gymnastics. Sadly member Gahyeon does not get adequate time to explore this new sound and I am really disappointed because it was her voice, and member Handong's, that I believe suits this genre the most. That being said I really appreciate the growing focus on Dami in this album. In each song so far she has proven that not only is she a talented rapper but in Jazz Bar we can hear her deep voice singing sweetly and it adds wonderful colour to the already beautiful track. Overall I think this song is perfect where it is, in the centre of the album, rather than the group experiment with this sound in a title track. It serves its purpose of calming down and bringing the album back down a peg effectively and for that reason I appreciate the song even more so.
My rating
Song: 7.5
Concept: 9
Overall rating: 16.5/20
Track 7: SAHARA
SAHARA is the seventh track on Dreamcatcher's full length album Dystopia. I have no doubt that this track listing was designed purposely to contrast the songs in such a way to make the listening experience all the more profound. Following on from the highly experimental yet smooth song that was Jazz Bar, SAHARA aims to disrupt this calm and bring us back to the rock-inspired elements Dreamcatcher are known for. While I would consider SAHARA to be firmly cemented in the genre of rock, it isn't solely focused on these elements. Staring out softly SAHARA aims to build up anticipation for the chorus where it almost lulls you into a false sense of security thinking this track was anything other than a total banger. Filled with strong instrumentation, powerful and sharp vocals, and unique vocal manipulations SAHARA is a jewel on this album. I can already tell this will be a fan favourite off of Dystopia as this song really captures why Dreamcatcher is deserving of it's growing fanbase. The chorus in particular really acts as a crescendo within the song to bring us back to the sound Dreamcatcher is most known for while twisting it slightly and bringing us a fresh new take on rock-infused Kpop music. SAHARA is so unique in it's instrumental that it alone can paint a picture of what kind of setting could be used for a purposed music video in the future. I love it when a song is so visual in nature that it can transport the listener from wherever they may be to another place echoing the visual elements of a song.
The members that really displayed this ability to transport us to another dimension were Dami, Siyeon, Gahyeon and Sua. It's nice to finally hear Gahyeon get some time to show us her vocal colour although I feel like she is still being underutilised as a vocalist this far into the album. Siyeon's vocal talent is on display here with her high note being a pillar of what makes this song so good and so tied into the rest of Dreamcatcher's material. I could have easily seen this song become a title track with a few tweaks to make the song feel more grand in nature. Altogether I think this will prove to be a favourite of Insomnias (Dreamcatcher's fanbase) and Kpop fans alike.
My rating
Song: 9
Concept: 8.5
Overall rating: 17.5/20
Track 8: In The Frozen
The eight track off of Dystopia is called In The Frozen. In The Frozen is my second favourite track off the album only being suplexed by Scream by the tiniest amount. It is with this song that we are brought back to the EDM influenced stylings of Dreamcatcher's latest title track which is also reminiscent of previous materials from the group such as Silent Night and Sleepwalking. Beginning slowly and softly In the Frozen is definitely a track designed to give the listener a false sense of what to expect when listening to the song for the first time. As the song builds during which the girls sing softly, as if to hypnotise the person listening, we are finally treated to the song's party piece. The instrumental of the chorus is nothing short of perfection. A mixture of powerful EDM synths and drums really drive home the simplistic lyrics used in chorus. This is followed by a wonderful bridge in a style most Dreamcatcher fans have become familiar with, soft and breathy vocals echoed by the playing of a piano (pure magic if you ask me), which is then contrasted by the best piece of instrumental experimentation featured on this album.
While I would consider some of the elements of the EDM sounds featured in the chorus to echo the vibe of the tone and style of the track SAHARA off the same album, the post bridge EDM section is unique in that it pushes the envelope further. It's here where I think this song truly comes alive. The implementation of a Hardstyle-esque drum beat is nothing short of genius and it adds great dynamic quality to this track and thus by extension the album. Again, Dreamcatcher are really aiming to show just how versatile and complete they are as a group of performers with this album and In the Frozen is a testament to that fact. Interestingly I find this song clever in that while the instrumental is most definitely the core element of this track the vocals have not been neglected. Members Siyeon, Yoohyeon, and Dami are definitely my highlight members of this track with each member bringing their unique vocal colour to the song which contrasts well with the genre of music in In the Frozen. The lyrics of the song are also beautiful in a more haunting and desolate kind of way; overall they compliment this style of song very well. I would love to see more of this style of music from Dreamcatcher personally.
My rating
Song: 9.5
Concept: 9
Overall rating: 18.5/20
Track 9: Daybreak
Daybreak is the ninth song off of Dreamcatcher's new album Dystopia and serves once again to show off the growing versatility of the group. Daybreak for me is a wonderful song that serves to shine a light on just how gentle and nuanced Dreamcatcher's vocals can be. Given that their title tracks tend to follow their signature sound with minor flourishes to keep fans entertained Dreamcatcher have gone to great lengths to show people that they're not just 7 powerful singers and vocalists that perform rock-inspired Kpop music but they are in fact, much more complete and talented artists. Right off the bat I have to say I'm deeply disappointed that member Handong wasn't able to provide vocals for this track because this song is perfectly suited to her deeper honey like vocals that compliment this genre so well. Daybreak is similar to Jazz Bar in many ways but they're more like cousins than sisters. Vocals here are definitely pushed forward over the instrumental used which again supports my idea that this particular song is more about showcasing the smooth and talented vocals of the members rather than the beat itself.
This song is also fantastic, in a similar way to Jazz Bar, in slowing down the progress of the album and giving the listener a moment of reprieve. While I do hear elements of Red Velvet's Automatic once more (I've heard this song so many times at this point haha), I think this song can definitely stand on it's own two feet. I feel like Daybreak is particularly unique because I feel like it occupies the space on the album that would typically be filled with a ballad. And while this song is similarly soft and smooth when compared to a Dreamcatcher ballad this song really focuses more on that funky element found throughout the album as a whole. Vocals here are soft and honey like with each member oozing sensuality as they sing softly into your ear. No one particular member stood out vocally in this song as each member seemed to reach their maximum potential within Daybreak. Their vocal performance was without a doubt flawless and I really have to praise them for delivering a sound so distant from their previous material at such a high level of quality. This song really cemented for me how much I appreciate the experimentation and duality of this album.
My rating
Song: 9.5
Concept: 8.5
Overall rating: 18/20
Track 10: Full Moon
While Full Moon is the tenth song on the album Dystopia it's a song many Insomnia's are familiar with. Full Moon was first released in 2018 to commemorate the first year anniversary of Dreamcatcher's debut; this is typically called a fan song. While the original release was purely a digital affair it's nice to see the group include the fan song on their full length album. While at first I was slightly conflicted as to why we didn't get an album of complete new material I appreciate its place on the album after being able to listen to the album in full over a couple of days. Even though this song was first created in 2018 it actually matches the stylistic nature of this album quite well and doesn't negatively impact the rest of the tracks whatsoever. As for the song itself Full Moon employs the signature sound and formula we have come to love from Dreamcatcher albeit with a slight twist. While Full Moon does include the rock elements Dreamcatcher are known for I feel like in Full Moon they have been paired back slightly to allow the vocals, and therefore the lyrics, to shine through a bit more prominently.
The piano sections are also more prominent in this song than their typical title track releases and it adds wonderful contrast as a result. Given that this song is a few years old it also serves as a window into the past to which we can look at just how much the group has evolved over the 2 years since Full Moon's release. Production quality of the song is decent but pales in comparison to the grand staging and sound production used on this album and recent releases from Dreamcatcher. This is honestly a good thing as it shows us how much growth the members have undertaken along with the company itself. I really enjoy this song both for the softer instrumental and vocals used throughout and I believe it works well in contrast with the rest of the songs on the album. Interestingly this song also comes with choreography which compliments the nature of the song fantastically with certain elements of the choreo reflecting either the lives of the members or their relationship with their fans. Definitely check it out if you have yet to.
My rating
Song: 8
Concept: 8
Dance: 8
Overall rating: 24/30
Track 11: Over the Sky
Serving as Dystopia's eleventh track Over the Sky is another fan song dedicated to Insomnias to commemorate their 2nd year anniversary as a group. Over the Sky is once more a very typical Dreamcatcher song that captures the groups elements of rock infused with Kpop goodness. In comparison to Full Moon however it's here were we can begin to listen to the jump in quality the group experienced during the early months of 2019.
It was from this point on, that in my opinion, the group got some real momentum leading to such releases as PIRI and Deja Vu absolutely smashing it out of the park and bringing in a lot of popularity for the group. There isn't much to say about this particular track except that it is a perfect example of what makes Dreamcatcher the group they are today. This song highlights not only their signature sound, but also their signature soaring vocals with member Siyeon trying to shatter our eardrums with her ear piercing vocal acrobatics, and their uncannily synchronised and energetic choreography. Over the Sky was the turning point in Dreamcatcher's upward trajectory honestly and It's nice to see it find a home here on the album.
My rating
Song: 8.5
Concept: 8
Dance: 8.5
Overall rating: 25/30
Track 12: Outro
Outro is the twelfth track on Dystopia and servers as a song to not only wrap up the entire experience but to perhaps also highlight the sounds and sonic flares to expect in future albums. We already know from the way that this particular album was teased that Happy Face and Dreamcatcher plan to continue exploring this new narrative they're building with their new music and Outro is here to reinforce this idea. I surprised myself by liking the Outro song so much if I am honest.
The song itself uses a unique blend of EDM beats and flares, with a piano backing (something Dreamcatcher is seemingly quite fond of) and some very eerie effects to give the listener the impression of what to expect in the near future. If Outro is anything to go by I think the next comeback, which will hopefully include Handong, will be a track with EDM elements in the chorus but a large focus on a beautiful piano section similar to some of their previous material. This song actually got me so excited to hear what's to come in the future from Dreamcatcher.
My rating
Song: 8.5
Concept: 9
Overall rating: 17.5/20
Track 13: Scream (Inst)
The thirteenth track on the album is the instrumental for Dreamcatcher's latest title track Scream. I love it when groups include the instrumental track within their albums as long as it doesn't take the place of new material. I do not think this is the case with this album and I appreciate its presence here. I encourage fans of Scream to have a listen to the instrumental by itself because vocals often hide certain stylistic elements of songs that you might otherwise not have been able to experience or appreciate without getting a proper, and official, instrumental provided. I also kind of like that the instrumental just so happens to land on the "unlucky" number 13 on the album which echoes some of the eerie concepts explored in the music video. Time to listen to that amazing EDM chorus some more!
(I'm not going to rate title track instrumentals as they've already been covered in the title track review)
Track 14: Paradise
Paradise is the fourteenth track included on Dystopia and serves as the final song to wrap up the entire album. This particular track is actually a recent solo release from the group's main vocalist Siyeon. The meaning and message of Paradise was actually crafted to mimic and reflect those found in Scream which I thought was a brilliant way of tying in these two releases from Dreamcatcher. I have previously written a short review of the title track on THR so if you would like to learn what I think about it, please have a read here: https://thehallyurefraction.wixsite.com/website/post/dreamcatcher-s-siyeon-paradise-solo-song-review
Conclusion
It is hard to put into words just how proud I am of Dreamcatcher to have found enough success that they, and Happy Face, feel comfortable enough to release the group's first full length album. Many Kpop groups never get to a point where they feel a full album is necessary or worth the extra time, money, and effort and so this release makes me appreciate it even more so. Dystopia: The Tree of Language will, in my opinion, stand the test of time. Dreamcatcher has done an excellent job of crafting an album that not only drives home their signature sound and style but also highlights the groups versatility as performers but also their willingness to experiment. The tracks that really stood out for me on Dystopia were Scream, In The Frozen, Red Sun, and Daybreak. Each song mentioned served a different purpose within the album and that's why I appreciate their inclusion so much. From your typical kpop sound, to rock, to EDM, to jazz, to smooth R&B this album really went above and beyond my expectations with just how much sonic ground the group was going to cover with their newest release. All in all, if this is the path that Dreamcatcher continues down not only am I extremely excited to hear what they deliver next, I think they're going to finally reach the heights of popularity I know the members are so hungry for. Please support Dreamcatcher this comeback and check out all the songs on the album if you have the time!
Once again, thank you to everyone that reads my reviews and shares them around on Twitter. Thank you again for also being patient while I have not been feeling the best. If you have anything to share please don't hesitate to reach out or leave a comment below. Please forgive any spelling errors or bad sentences, I'm tired haha! Thank you! - THR
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