NCT DREAM Explores New Horizons with 'Go Back To The Future' Album

Rosa Gulliver
Jul 14
4 min read

Rosa Gulliver of TINYGMUSIC | July 14, 2025

NCT DREAM Drops 'Go Back To The Future' Album

NCT DREAM returns with their eagerly anticipated fifth full-length album Go Back To The Future today on all digital and streaming platforms, via SM Entertainment and Virgin Music, featuring double title tracks “BTTF” and “CHILLER.”

The nine-track album follows the K-Pop stars as they narratively embark on a time-travel journey to visit their past, present, and future. They explore their nine years as a group, and the even brighter years ahead of them.

Last year, NCT DREAM earned acclaim by expressing the common struggles, aspirations, and dreams of youth through their albums DREAM( )SCAPE and DREAMSCAPE. Once more they reflect on their own experiences, this time to impart a message about living fully in the present moment without regrets.

The story begins with title track “BTTF” (short for ‘back to the future’), a hip-hop-inspired dance track encapsulates the quintessential ‘NCT sound’ with a signature synth bass and dynamic verse transitions. The lyrics chronicle NCT DREAM gaining the power to change the future through time travel. As they reflect on the path they’ve taken, they realise the value of a past with no regrets and boldly declare ‘We are the future,’ announcing their ambition to travel the road ahead with conviction.

The second title track “CHILLER” experiments with genres overtop a foundation of French house. Its distinctive textures and unpredictable chord progressions are a fitting base for a song highlighting the group’s success, serving as both a prequel and sequel to “BTTF.”

“I LIKE IT,” a funky dance-pop marked by its striking electric guitar, explores unexpectedly meeting another version of oneself through a rift in time, and using that alternate version as a motivator to forge fearlessly ahead. The equally infectious “DREAM TEAM” blends bouncing guitar riffs, jangly piano, and anthemic harmonies to share an encouraging message about bouncing back after facing setbacks.

The fast-paced, upbeat nature of the album takes a reflective pause with “Interlude : Back To Our Paradise,” a dreamy track with ethereal sounds and rich choral layers. The lyrics express setting off on a journey through time and memories in search of a once-loved person. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in NCT DREAM’s ‘First Love’ series, a collection of songs across their discography that explores the theme of one’s first love.

‘‘Bout You” is an acoustic pop ballad comparing the unexpected arrival of ‘you’ to a passing rain shower, portraying how a fateful meeting can paint the world in colour, much like raindrops colour all that they touch. The nostalgic atmosphere continues with “That Summer,” a pop song which pulls from New Jack Swing to portray the clumsy memories of first love.

The penultimate track “Miss Me” blends ’90s pop and R&B, fittingly describing the bittersweet moment of parting with someone and the anticipation of meeting again in the future. The album closes with the stunning mid-tempo pop tune “Beautiful Sailing.” NCT DREAM reflects on their storied path, from taking their first steps toward their dreams, up to the present, comparing their trials and tribulations to crossing an expansive sea. It brings “Go Back To The Future” to a hopeful close, with the seven-piece embracing the rough waves and gentle currents, knowing that both are carrying them toward even greater seas.

Alongside the release of the new album, NCT DREAM will embark on their fourth tour, ‘The Dream Show 4: Dream the Future,’ which kicked off in Seoul, Korea this month and will continue across Asia through the rest of the year. With 2024 marking the group’s ninth consecutive release to sell over one million copies, achieved via their November album DREAMSCAPE, – the anticipation is high for Go Back To The Future and its whimsically charming storytelling as NCT DREAM explore their already legendary past, thriving present, and limitless future.

About NCT DREAM

NCT DREAM composed of members MARK, RENJUN, JENO, HAECHAN, CHENLE, JAEMIN, and JISUNG captures the essence of youth through their music and performances. The group has not only peaked on various music charts and shows, but were also the only Asian artist to be named Billboard’s ’21 Under 21: Music’s Next Generation’ for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020, as well as the only Asian artist to make TIME Magazine’s ’25 Most Influential Teens of 2018’ list. In May 2022, they continued to prove their popularity as a top international group with their repackage album Beatbox, which gained attention worldwide even before its official release through its promotional short-form content that garnered a staggering 325 million views. Last year, NCT DREAM set a remarkable record by surpassing sales of over 4.32 million copies with their third full-length album ISTJ, released in July 2023, achieving quadruple million-seller status. A milestone year in their global dominance, the group also brought their tour to Europe, North and Latin America for the first time, garnering praise from Rolling Stone UK, NME, CLASH and DORK Magazine. Last year, they broke their own first-day sales record from ISTJ with their March EP, DREAM( )SCAPE, before hitting the road for their third world tour ‘THE DREAM SHOW 3: DREAM( )SCAPE,’ spanning 37 shows across Asia, South America, North America, and Europe. They bookended their hugely successful year with full-length album DREAMSCAPE, marking a new chapter in NCT DREAM’s artistic growth as the members took more significant roles in song-writing and composing their material. The album included their 2024 summer English single, “Rains In Heaven,” which became NCT DREAM’s third Top 20 entry on the UK Official Singles Sales Chart.