YUTA of NCT rocks hard and screams loud with his solo debut mini-album, Depth. 

YUTA breaks free from NCT’s recognisable ‘neo’ sound with his solo mini-album Depth, combining elements of metal, rock and pop for a listening experience that is truly unique.

The title of the album, and its title track “Off The Mask,” refers to YUTA finally being able to show his depth of character and express himself away from the confines of the K-pop genre. This theme of finding freedom is present throughout all seven tracks, six of which he has writing and composing credits on.

The first track on the album, named “LAST SONG,” immediately tells the listener that YUTA is here to subvert expectations. A ballad befitting an anime OST, “LAST SONG” has an uplifting, hopeful message about YUTA finding his strength because he’s ‘not alone.’ The song contains high notes that show off YUTA’S vocals, which listeners have largely been missing out on due to his sub-vocalist position in NCT.

The title track, “Off The Mask,” starts with YUTA proclaiming: ‘Tonight I will show you my other side,’ referring to the darker side of himself that he hasn’t been able to express previously. The song leans heavily into the metal rock genre, reminiscent of other J-rock acts like Hyde and Miyavi, both of whom YUTA follows on Instagram.

In the music video, imagery of YUTA chained up in a cage, which he then grows wings and breaks free from, conveys the message that he is finding his creative freedom at last. With lyrics such as: ‘I feel freakin’ good / This is how I am / Everybody take off your mask,’ and scenes of YUTA and his band performing in a torn-up room, he invites us to take off our masks too and join him on the dark side.

YUTA also shows off his impressive vocal abilities through metal screams, which are also present on other rock tracks such as “Save You.” Death growls and his recognisable, raspy vocal quality soar over punchy guitars, continuing the idea that he has been hiding his true self out of fear, with lyrics like: ‘I’ve been runnin’ in fear / In my head all the time / With an inescapable fear.’

Breaking up the metal sound, “BAD EUPHORIA” is a more pop-rock offering, co-written by Rose Blueming, who has credits on other Japanese songs such as Kep1er’s “Galileo – (Japanese Version)”, and two tracks from upcoming MiSaMo comeback, HAUTE COUTURE. The song is vibrant and upbeat, and was also used in a commercial for 3CE, a Korean cosmetics brand YUTA has recently become the Japanese ambassador for.

“PRISONER” and “Goodbye” follow a similar trajectory, taking inspiration from American rock, with more emotional and soul-bearing lyrics. The former is a letter to those who doubt YUTA and bring him down, as he asks: ‘Tell me what is wrong with me / What have I done to you?’ He doesn’t let the haters break him, however, resolving: ‘But never gonna give it up / So just be myself.’

YUTA revealed on his weekly interfm radio show, ‘YUTA at Home,’ that he wrote “Goodbye” in just 15 minutes and it was immediately approved. This is a testament to his previously hidden composition and lyricism skills.

The final track on the album, “Butterfly (Depth Ver.),” is one that NCTzens lucky enough to have attended NCT 127’s Neo City – THE LINK tour will be familiar with. It was originally performed as a solo by YUTA on the tour, but the Depth version gives it a rock makeover with stunning guitar riffs and new lyrics.

The song serves as a poignant outro to the album, circling back to the running theme of unapologetically being his true self, no matter what people say. The last lines YUTA speaks in the song say it best: ‘Hey, I kept moving on / I won’t stop believing in myself / Never ever.’ It was the best song to end the album on, linking back to his work with NCT but inspiring hope for this next chapter of YUTA’s career.

Depth is a refreshing, distinctive solo debut that sets YUTA apart as an artist in his own league.

Those who followed the ‘emo to K-pop pipeline’ will particularly love this blend of heavy screams and guitars with powerful lyricism that was clearly written from the heart.

Edited by Nicole Tilby.