I. Introduction
Awaken is the first full Japanese album from the permanent NCT sub-unit, NCT 127. It was released on April 17, 2019, with its initial release delayed from December. Its lead track was "Wakey Wakey."
II. Background and Release
The EP contains 12 songs in Japanese, Korean and English, including several previously released songs. It was released in 14 versions, including 9 member editions with trading cards, a limited CD + DVD version, a CD + Blu-ray version.
Awaken was the first release not to feature Winwin, who was transferring to the newly created Chinese NCT sub-unit, WayV. Both of the album's singles were released prior to the album, with the Japanese version of "Touch" released on September 16, 2018 and the lead track, "Wakey-Wakey" released on March 19, 2019. The album was released as NCT 127 after it completed a nationwide Japanese tour for Neo City - The Origin.
III. Tracklist
| Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
| "Lips" | Akira, Mark, Taeyong |
Andreas Ohrm, Didrik Thott, Sam Fishman | Andreas Ohrm, Didrik Thott, Sam Fishman | 3:05 |
| "Wakey-Wakey" | MEG.ME | Andreas Oberg, Sebastian Thott, Deez | Sebastian Thott | 3:02 |
| "Chain" | MEG.ME | 250, Albin Nordqvist | 250 | 3:42 |
| "Regular" (English version) | Wilbart "Vedo" McCoy III, Taeyong, Mark | Mike Daley, Mitchell Owens, Wilbart "Vedo" McCoy III, George Kranz, Yoo Young-jin | Mike Daley, Mitchell Owens | 3:39 |
| "Touch" (Japanese version) | MEG.ME, Jo Yoon-kyung, Kim Min-ji, Shin Jin-hye | LDN Noise, Deez, Adrian McKinnon | LDN Noise, Deez | 3:09 |
| "Blow My Mind" | Junji Ishiwatari | Jonny Shorr, David Amber, Will Jay | David Amber | 3:47 |
| "Limitless" (Japanese version) | Kenzie, Sara Sakurai (T's Music) | Kenzie, Harvey Mason Jr., Patrick "J. Que" Smith, Kevin Randolph, Dewain Whitmore, Andrew Hey, Britt Burton | Kenzie | 4:07 |
| "Long Slow Distance" | Natsumi Kobayashi | Lee Dae-hee (ZigZagNote), Moon Sang-sun, Sean Alexander (Avenue 52), Drew Ryan Scott | Lee Dae-hee (ZigZagNote),Moon Sang-sun | 4:24 |
| "Kitchen Beat" | Ume | Ronnie Icon, Jan Baars, Rajan Muse | Ronnie Icon, Jan Baars, Rajan Muse | 3:29 |
| "Cherry Bomb" (Korean version) | Taeyong, Mark, Deepflow, Lim Jung-hyo, Oh Min-joo | Dem Jointz, Jennifer Decliveo, Deez, Jakob Mihoubi (Jay & Rudy), Rudi Daouk (Jay & Rudy), Michael Woods (Rice N' Peas), Kevin White (Rice N' Peas), Andrew Bazzi (Rice N' Peas), MZMC | Dem Jointz, Deez, Yoo Young-jin | 3:56 |
| "Fire Truck" (Korean version) | Taeyong, Mark, Jaehyun, Lee Seu-ran | LDN Noise, Jeremy "Tay" Jasper, Ylva Dimberg (The Kennel) | LDN Noise | 2:57 |
| "End to Start" | Amon Hayashi (Digz Inc) | Jung Youth (DMP Group), Esterly (DMP Group) | DMP Group | 3:29 |
IV. Spotify Playlist
V. Videos
Wakey-Wakey MV
Wakey Wakey Dance Practice
VI. Concept Photos
VII. Reception
The album debuted at #4 on the Oricon Albums charts and #14 on the Oricon Digital Album Charts. This was NCT 127's second Japanese release. It conducted its first Japanese concert tour, Neo City - The Origin, to support the album. It also charted in France.
