Cristina Jaleru
AP – NCT127 should be credited as inventors of a new genre: neo-chill hop.
Their upcoming repackage Ay-Yo (AP, pic below) of their fourth studio album 2 Baddies comes with three extra tracks that move the needle in the too cool direction. The titular Ay-Yo goes hard on an industrial trip hop sound, DJ finds a funky jazzy beat embracing the ‘70s, while Skyscraper pins its hopes on a straightforward hip-hop line.
The triptych rounds up the tracks to a total of 15 in a cohesive record that nevertheless has its ebbs and flows in terms of catchy hooks. Sometimes NCT127 deliver an epic melody with outstanding vocals like 2 Baddies, or a sexy smooth Gold Dust or an R&B groove with Caribbean undertones such as Designer, but you also get a low energy Black Clouds from time to time.
The nine-member K-pop group is known for its more experimental sound and they prove yet again you can do people pleasing with a twist.
