"Dystopia: Road to Utopia" (commonly referred to as "Road to Utopia") is the sixth mini album released by Dreamcatcher. It was released on January 26, 2021 with "Odd Eye" serving as the title track.
The mini album features 4 physical versions: Limited "D" and Normals "A", "R", "K". It's the third and final installment of the Dystopia Era.
This is Dreamcatcher's first release as a 7-members group again, with Handong back to South Korea after her solo activities in China. (Youth With You 2, Dawn, etc.)
Tracklist
- Intro
- Odd Eye Title Track
- Wind Blows (비림아)
- Poison Love
- 4 Memory
- New days (시간의틈)
- Odd Eye (Instrumental)
Background and Release[]
On January 8 at midnight KST, the group released a teaser on Instagram with a new code for fans to crack. It is Dreamcatcher’s tradition to release mystery codes before their comebacks, and it was recently shared that the group is working on a comeback album that will continue the story of their latest song “BOCA.” The album is set to be released on January 26 at 6 p.m. KST.
The title track is “Odd Eye” and includes Siyeon in the chorus. Siyeon has also participated in the chorus for “Poison Love” and “New days,” while Yoohyeon is part of the chorus for “Wind Blows” and “4 Memory.” JiU co-composed and co-wrote “4 Memory,” and Dami has co-written and co-composed “New days.” Producers Ollounder and LEEZ are credited in all six songs.
In January 26th, Dreamcatcher presents their new mini album “Dystopia : Road to Utopia” and a music video for the title track “Odd Eye”, a powerful song that mixes rock and hip hop elements. The lower register of a piano was used to give off a holy vibe. In the chorus, the vocal melody overlaps with a distorted guitar sound, creating a more attention-grabbing piece.
Album Description[]
English[]
The Dreamcatchers' quest for utopia leads them to where they want to be. However, the reality of the utopia they encountered was not as pleasant as they thought. The utopia they saw with their new abilities didn't bring them happiness on the outside and happiness on the inside, We can see that this is exactly where we are now.
Dreamcatcher will not give up and will continue to take steps towards achieving inner happiness.
Korean[]
유토피아를 꿈꾸는 드림캐쳐의 행보는 어느새 그들이 원하는 곳에 데려간다. 하지만 드림캐쳐가 마주한 유토피아의 실체는 생각보다 그리 행복만 가득한 것은 아니었다. 새로운 변화로 인해 얻은 능력으로 바라본 유토피아는 겉으로의 행복과 내면의 행복을 함께해주지 못했고, 이것이 바로 지금 우리가 있는 현재의 모습과 꼭 닮아있는 것을 알 수 있다.
드림캐쳐는 이에 포기하지 않고 내면의 행복을 위한 발걸음을 앞으로도 계속 내딛게 될 것이다. [1]
Physical Album[]
Limited D Version[]
- PHOTOBOOK: 180p
- CD: 1p
- COVER CARD: 1p (out of 7)
- PHOTOCARD: 3p (out of 21)
- D.I.Y DREAMCATCHER KIT: 1p
- POSTER: 1p (pre-order only)
A, R & K Version[]
- PHOTOBOOK: 64p
- CD: 1p
- FRAME CARD: 1p (out of 3)
- PHOTOCARD: 3p (out of 35)
- POSTER: 1p (pre-order only)
Charts[]
Weekly Charts[]
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Korean Albums (Gaon) | 1 |
Year-End Charts[]
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Korean Albums (Gaon) | 80 |
Audio[]
Critical reception[]
The Seoulbeats website, in their album review, stated that "Dreamcatcher is one of those groups that has established a distinct musical identity for themselves. Their songs contain elements of the rock music spectrum that are fused with great vocals and could easily to be the opening of an epic anime. With this album, Dreamcatcher steps out of familiar territory. While it is a versatile and well-produced closure for the Dystopia line EPs, its versatility fails to hold the album together. "
On the specialized site All Kpop, it was noted on the title track that "Odd Eye" is a revision of their classic rock sound. Although their last comeback was very EDM-influenced, this song is much more guitar-centric, which it is preferable for the group. The voices of each member shine through clearly in this title, and for that, I congratulate the group for their amazing ability to show the strengths of each of them. "
Trivia[]
- This album marks Handong's first appearance in a Korean-language comeback since Dreamcatcher's first special album, Raid of Dream.
- On January 30, Dreamcatcher Company revealed that Dystopia: Road to Utopia has sold more than 60,000 copies in just three days (according to the statistics of Hanteo Chart), and the sales on the day of release has surpassed the first week sales of the previous EP, Dystopia: Lose Myself.
- The EP debuted at number one on the GAON charts, making it the first album of the group to reach the number one position.
- In its first month, the EP surpassed 90,000 copies sold.
Links[]
Download/Stream[]
Video Gallery[]
Album Credits[]
Credits were taken from the photobook in the physical version of the album.
- Executive Producer: Lee Ju Won (이주원)
- Producing & Marketing: Dreamcatcher Company
- Creative Producer: Jo Dong Hyeon (조동현), Moon Seon Hye (문선혜)
- Music Producer: LEEZ, Ollounder
- Artist Managemnt & Promotion:
- Chief Manager: Hong Min Ho (홍민호)
- Manager: Han Pil Soo (한필수), Kim Ye Rim (김예림), Kim Min Woo (김민우)
- Public Relations: @Major7 Company
- Copyright Clearance: Kim Woo Ri (김우리)
- Marketing: Jeon Su Yeon (전수연), Lee Geum Jun (이금준) @Major7 Company
- Fan Marketing: Jeon Soo Yeon (전수연), Lee Ha Yoon (이하윤), Lee Yu Ri (이유리), Jang Jae Do (장재도)
- Media Contents: Beitna Kim (김빛나), Baek Ji Hye (백지혜), Heo Tae Hyuk (허태혁)
- International Bussiness: Bang A Nam (방아남)
- Financial Management: Kim Mi Jin (김미진), Kim Woo Ri (김우리)
- Artist Development: Kim Jong Su (김종수), Kim Kwang Woon (김광운), Kyeong Da Som (경다솜), Park Seon A (박선아)
- Engineer: Ju Seong Yo (주선교) @Happyface Studio
- Recording Engineer: Ju Seong Yo (주선교) @Happyface Studio
- Mixed by: Kim Seok Min (김석민) @Pizza Studio, Go Hyeon Jeong (고현정) @koko sound studio
- Assist by: Jeong Ki Woon (정기운), Ji Min Woo (지민우)
- Digital Editing by: Jeong Yu Ra (정유라)
- Mastering Engineer: Kwon Nam Woo (권남우) @821 Sound Mastering
- Stylist: Song Ha Na (송하나)
- Hair: Eun Ji (은지), Ji Hye (지혜), So Yul (소율), Hee Seong (희성), Ji Yoon (지윤)
- Make up: Hye Jin (혜진), Go Eun (고은) Su Jeong (수정), Ji Hyun (지현), Ho Jeong (호정)
- Choreography: Hwang Soo Yeon (황수연), Kim Ki Yeon (김기연), Kang Seong Chan (강성찬)
- Music Video Director: Yoo Seung Yun (유성균) @Sunny Visual
- Album Photograph:
- Kim Rin Young (김린용) @STUDIO RIN
- Assist by: Lee Sang Won (이상원), Kim Hyun Wook (김현욱) @STUDIO RIN
- Park Sang Moo (박상무), Jang Ki Hyun (장기현) @Inyeon Studio (인연스튜디오)
- Assist by: Kim Tae Hyung (김태형) @Inyeon Studio (인연스튜디오)
- Kim Rin Young (김린용) @STUDIO RIN
- Album Design: REHUGME DESIGNLAB
- Printing: ARANA
