Following a banner year that saw the release of their first Japanese album and an extensive world tour, K-pop crew NCT 127 issued their second Korean-language effort,
NCT #127 Neo Zone. Balanced between energetic anthems and lighter, sentimental fare, the set also borrowed from '90s R&B ("Pandora's Box," "White Night"), aggressive trap-influenced dance ("Kick It," "MAD DOG"), and bright dance pop ("Love Me Now"). In addition to charting in Canada, Japan, and the U.K., the record also topped the Gaon and Billboard World Albums charts. ~ Neil Z. Yeung