NCT 127’s fourth Korean studio album lives up to its name—it’s high-speed hip-hop-pop, all centred around a fast and furious street-racing concept. Engine revs abound, incorporated seamlessly into the group’s high-energy tracks (“Faster”, “2 Baddies”). Elsewhere, the Seoul-based nine-member Neo Culture Technology (NCT) sub-unit (Taeil, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Mark, Jungwoo and Haechan) nail neo-soul/R&B with the ease of expertise (“Crash Landing”, “Vitamin”, “Playback”). With those sounds, elevated by experimental electro detours (“Tasty”), NCT 127 continue to challenge expectations—while keeping their ascendent vocal harmonies at the forefront, reminding NCTzen why they fell in love with the group in the first place.