Everyone, the ‘Father Neo’ is back with new music.
On February 26, 2024, at 6 P.M. KST, NCT’s Taeyong made his solo comeback with his second mini album, “TAP,” along with the music video for the title track of the same name. This is Taeyong’s first-ever comeback since his solo debut in June 2023 with the record “SHALALA.”
Prior to the release of Taeyong’s newest EP, the NCT leader showcased his swagger and talent in his solo concert “TY Track” held on February 24 and 25, 2024 at the Olympic Hall in Seoul. Taeyong’s performance was divided into six sections—Artistry, Love, Separation, Hurt, Healing, and Autobiography, where he had performed 23 songs.
The concert also showed Taeyong recounting all the years he had spent as a trainee and as an artist, where he said, “I tried my best for 10 years. I really did my best up till now…It took me 10 years to match up to the standards I set up for myself.”
He ended it in tears by saying, “In some part of my mind, I always had this compulsion of having to be recognized and to do well, but now I think I can let go.”
And honestly? All these years he’s spent as an artist, a leader, and a member of NCT? He’s really become such an inspiring artist that everyone can look up to.
His solo discography is a testament to all those years of hard work.
“TAP” consists of six tracks, including the lead single of the same name. All of the tracks—“TAP,” “Moon Tour,” “Run Away,” “APE,” “Ups & Downs,” and “404 Loading” were co-written by Taeyong himself, while SQAUR, a producer Taeyong had worked with in “SHALALA,” also worked on most of the tracks.
“TAP,” the EP’s title track, is described as a hip-hop song with a catchy beat, featuring drums, an 808 base track, and a fusion of groovy and rock and blues guitar sounds. Taeyong’s lyrics express “how one nonchalantly and subtly expresses interest in another” while also telling others to just be confident.
The music video for “TAP” sees Taeyong dressed up in an oversized business attire, and his search for delicious Japanese food such as omurice and dango. Switching from a dark and mood-evoking ryokan to a bubblegum pink and pastel-colored arcade, Taeyong’s dance moves also take the highlight—which is something he is known for.
NCTzens and Tyongfs, Taeyong’s fans, who were still emotional following the NCT leader’s concert, couldn’t have been prouder to see Taeyong’s progress and work pay off.
cant believe im living in a world where taeyong has two solo albums… ive dreamed of days like this pic.twitter.com/6cyLp68p8D
— ່ (@rubytrack) February 26, 2024
yk whats crazy….. taeyong proving a second time for his solo work that hes head neo, cunt master, peak cinematography incorporated, hit music maker, face of the century, exquisite styler, and NOT one to fuck with when it comes to artistry and creativeness LIKE CMOOONNN
— A 🌟 (@jaeizms) February 26, 2024
i looov when artists do something like this so so badly 😔 taeyong my love you are a true artist and i love the way ur mind works pic.twitter.com/mU0gAORi9T
— tapping with ty 💚🍃🌱 (@cowboylikeme420) February 26, 2024
#TAEYONG the difference between SHALALA and TAP thumbnail pic.twitter.com/SImFc6lHVC
— 🦋 (@shansparklinx) February 26, 2024
TAEYONG FOLLOWING THE STREAMING LIST HE’S SO CUTE 😭🫶🏼 pic.twitter.com/decoDeyF5G
— STREAM TAP 🌹 (@DUALITY0NG) February 26, 2024
in the parody of Japanese sponsorship ads in the mv, all of the sponsors are just taeyongcentric brands/companies like such a clever way to say everything BY LEE TAEYONG pic.twitter.com/Y2KN9dgIAH
— trishy (@mysekushiboo) February 26, 2024
taeyong is really embracing the love that people have for him 😭 he looks so at ease and comfortable like i think he finally understands the genuine adoration his fans have for him and he feels secure in that pic.twitter.com/yG2L4E0rOe
— 🍙 (@tyomiverse) February 26, 2024
totally gagged by this part in run away instrumental, i’m speechless taeyong and squar! pic.twitter.com/CkcgvncIG7
— 勇 (@ltyaxis) February 26, 2024
404 LoadingㅡTaeyong lyrics translation
"I will give you my everything
Would you come close to me?"
"We create zero gravity
And inside it, we'll last forever"
"Don't worry about all of your feelings
Let go of that anxious heart of yours and fly"I love everything of this songㅠ pic.twitter.com/oo6iMXfCUr
— Dyva🌸 (@captainuwu) February 26, 2024
i’m really going through it with taeyong and ten… i can’t believe non-nctzens will never know what real music is 😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/4f64xnoAb9
— keeks ✘ TEN BIRTH 🥳 (@dpryuta) February 26, 2024
the ending credits for TAP are so cute too 😭
“TY track” “onigiri national association” “litairong(taeyong’s chinese name” “SM/NEO production” “mystery channel+taeyong’s japanese name” “SHALALA” “rose farm” #TY_TAP_OutNow#태용이와_여섯시에_탭 pic.twitter.com/aOaeJMG38T— ㅌ (@tyongsource) February 26, 2024
THEEEE biggest flex to have these two album covers, to have the tracklist be all songs you composed, to have creative freedom and direction….theeee biggest flex to be THE LEE TAEYONG….. pic.twitter.com/AOqKLYMV5j
— bey 💚 LTY2 (@tydybear) February 26, 2024
ok but in all honesty WHO TF CHEATED ON TAEYONG there are so many songs about it? 😭 my poor dude you deserve better
— ynhen ᵀᴬᴾ ᴮʸ ᵀʸ ᴼᵁᵀ ᴺᴼᵂ (@__misft) February 26, 2024
tsubakill’s cut in taeyong’s mv for his new song ‘tap’ ⚔️❤️
choreo by: leejungi hope we get a performance vid for this 🥹pic.twitter.com/PNWE2N0iCu https://t.co/MqXyfmGEoo
— didi (@hi_didiii) February 26, 2024
Tap is a hit. Taeyong you are a hit.
— Kpop Bimbo Era (@bimbokpop207) February 26, 2024
Taeyong scrolling through twitter to find reactions to his songs on Tap is so funny to me because he is so so nosy he just always wants to be in our business
— Aspen ~ 🐉 TAP 🐉 TY TRACK D 1 & 2 (@unicorntyong) February 26, 2024
240226 [PRESS] #TAEYONG finishes his 1st solo concert ahead of enlistment…today’s reveal of his 2nd mini-album 'TAP'
"It took 10 years for me to bring out a concert like this,& I think I’ll be able to create a performance like this again someday.. bc I'll continue to be w/ you” pic.twitter.com/3HTIFrykBS
— NCT 127 Central (@127CENTRAL) February 26, 2024
Both songs are 4:04 minutes long , Taeyong i love your mind pic.twitter.com/QwuKjCaDq2
— ☆ (@404liznotfound) February 26, 2024
congratulations taeyong for having 2 nonskip albums and for having a flawless discography
— STREAM TAP 🌹 (@DUALITY0NG) February 26, 2024
240226 Kim Youngdae (Music Critic) Twitter/X Update with #TAEYONG
“I was able to see the kind of confidence that comes out of artist's who write their own songs, rather than ego.” #TAEYONG_TAP#태용 #NCT127 @NCTsmtown_127 https://t.co/82SwHgTgsl pic.twitter.com/ITv7Pu1GY9
— NCT 127 Central (@127CENTRAL) February 26, 2024
Congratulations to the Neo himself and his successful career thus far!
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