I. Introduction
Ay-Yo is a repackage of the album 질주 (2 Baddies) from the permanent NCT sub-unit, NCT 127. It was released on January 30, 2023, featuring the lead track "Ay-Yo."
II. Background & Release
After months of speculation around a repackage, SM Entertainment announced on Dec. 26, 2022 that there would be a repackage of the best-selling 질주 (2 Baddies) album with a January release date. This marked over 4 months since the original album's release date with two other NCT sub-units releasing albums in that time period: WayV's Phantom and NCT Dream's winter album Candy.
Promotions for Ay-Yo began on Jan. 6, 2023, while the members were beginning the Americas leg of their second world tour, Neo City: The Link. Just before the group left for Korea, Haechan was removed from the tour for a medical hiatus. Unlike previous releases, the teaser promotions were quite limited, although there was a new 3-part series To Us that followed the members receiving heartfelt confessions from each other.
The group released a thank you video to fans with a self-made music video shot on tour for the previously released b-side "1, 2, 7 (Time Stops)" as a fan gift for "127 Day" on Jan. 27. It was also announced that Haechan would return to activities beginning with Ay-Yo promotions.
The album was released on Jan. 30, 2023 with two versions: A and B, as well as a digipack, SMINI and a special version for the large American retailer, Target. A portion of the album's photoshoots were shot in California during the first American leg of the tour in October 2022 at the iconic Pink Hotel.
The album featured the 12 tracks from 질주 (2 Baddies) and three new tracks, "Ay-Yo," "DJ" and "Skyscraper." The title track was written and produced by producer Dem Jointz, who previously worked on NCT 127 title tracks "Cherry Bomb", "Kick It, "Punch" and "Sticker" as well as the b-sides "Designer" and "Time Lapse" on 2 Baddies. SM's legendary producer Kenzie also partnered on the track, as she has with him before, as well as long-time collaborator Adrian McKinnon, "Sticker" co-writer Calixte and Tropkillaz, Brazilian songwriters and new collaborators. As with past NCT 127 releases, Taeyong and Mark have songwriting credits for their raps, but also have composing credits.
In addition to the title track "Ay-Yo," the group performed the new b-side "DJ" on Korean music shows. "DJ" also had its own track video.
III. Tracklist
New songs are bolded.
| Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Ay-Yo" | Kenzie | Dem Jointz, Tropkillaz, Adrian McKinnon, Calixte | Dem Jointz, Tropkillaz | 3:41 |
| "Faster" | Lee Song (VERY GOODS), Sahara (Joombas) | Mich Hansen,Rasmus Hedegaard, Balance | Cutfather, Rasmus Hedegaard | 2:50 |
| "질주 (2 Baddies)" | Sokodomo, Haeil, Xinsayne | Aron Bergerwall, Louise Lindberg, Tony Ferrari, Parker James, Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker (Sunshine), Ellen Berg (Sunshine) | Aron Wyme, IMLAY | 3:50 |
| "Time Lapse" | Jeong Ha-ri (Joombas), Taeyong, Mark | Dem Jointz, Young Chance | Dem Jointz | 3:35 |
| "DJ" | Na Jung Ah, Taeyong, Mark | Simon Petrén, Andreas Öberg, Ninos Hanna, Rico Greene, Taeyong, Mark | Simon Petrén | 3:18 |
| "Crash Landing" | Kenzie | Kenzie, IMLAY, Junny | Kenzie, IMLAY | 3:24 |
| "Designer" | Kim Jae-won, Taeyong, Mark | Corron Cole, James Bunton, Aaron Aye, Dem Jointz, Ryan S. Jhun | No Past, No Future, Ryan Jhun, Dem Jointz | 3:57 |
| "Gold Dust" | Lee Chae-young | Mozilla, Nick Bradley, Stuart Crichton, Paul Blanco | Stuart Crichton, Paul Blanco | 4:09 |
| "Black Clouds" | Oh Hyun-sen (Lalala Studio) | Rokman (The Hello Group), Lauren Dyson (The Hello Group), Sean Fischer (Honua) | Rokman, Sean Fischer | 3:38 |
| "Playback" | Lee Chang-hyuk | Oneye, Andreas Oberg, Johan Gustafsson | Oneye, Johan Gustafsson | 3:12 |
| "Skyscraper" | Ellie Suh, Taeyong, Mark | Dem Jointz, YoungChance, Xydo, Taeyong, Mark | Dem Jointz | 3:56 |
| "Tasty" | Jo Yoon-kyung | Teodor Herrrgardh, Rebecca Sjoberg, Gustav Nilsson, Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker (Sunshine), Ellen Berg (Sunshine) | Teodor Herrrgardh, Rebecca Sjoberg, Gustav Nilsson | 3:34 |
| "Vitamin" | Kim Ye-in | Jacob Attwooll, Jon Eyden, Eben | Jacob Attwooll | 3:04 |
| "LOL (Laugh-Out-Loud)" | Lee Hye-yoom | Fabian Torsson, Harry Sommerdahl, Albin Nordqvist | Fabian Torsson, Harry Sommerdahl, Albin Nordqvist | 3:39 |
| "1, 2, 7 (Time Stops)" | Park Seong-Hee | Peter Wallevik (PhD), Daniel Davidsen (PhD), Iain James | PhD | 3:36 |
IV. Spotify Playlist
V. Videos
MV:
Track Video: DJ
Track Video: 1, 2, 7 (Time Stops)
VI. Concept Photos
VII. Reception
Ay-Yo debuted with NCT 127's highest first day sales for a repackage (third in their overall) with 343,8844 copies. This also rated in the top 50 all-time on Hanteo. Within three days, it had passed Favorite's entire first week sales.
It also debuted at #2 on the Worldwide iTunes Album chart, topped the charts in 12 region and charted at #11 on the US and #14 on the European. It also ranked #1 on the Chinese QQ Music charts.
All three new songs also charted on Melon and the iTunes charts. The title track debuted at #58 on Melon, peaking at #47.
Shipping was delayed on the American versions until March, which may have impacted American purchasing.
