“MIXXPOP,” the revolutionary music genre that the girl group NMIXX created, has returned in a way that has amazed many listeners. Some of the songs in NMIXX’s new mini album “Fe304: Break” involve MIXXPOP. Some people have mixed opinions about the concept of two different music genres being combined into one to create a complicated but unique sound track, but many have welcomed this return.
NMIXX is a Korean girl group under the music label JYP Entertainment. The band created their own music genre called “MIXXPOP.” The structure of this genre is complex, but each track starts off in a specific genre; eventually, it transitions into a different genre. For example, a song may sound like a hip-hop song in the beginning, but it could suddenly transition into a rock song. Many around the world have loved this so called “MIXXPOP” genre due to the different moods that are present in the songs, but the group was criticized in their home country for a “horrible” debut causing MIXXPOP to not be used almost entirely in their third album, titled “A Midsummer NMIXX’s Dream,” and first EP, titled “expérgo.” However, they have brought back this genre in their recent album because of popular demand from fans worldwide, sparking happiness and adulation from many fans.
“DASH,” the title track of the mini album, starts off with a groovy melody and incredible vocals by the six members of the group. The chorus, although it may sound repetitive at first, starts to sound catchy after a few listens. As the song progresses it transitions after the ‘NMIXX, change up!’ lyric, turning the old school hip-hop-like tune into a rock-like melody. It transitions back to the groovy mood one last time near the end. The first song to start the album off has a vibe and melody that immediately captivates listeners to feel energetic, not knowing that this is already the best song in the album.
“Soñar (Breaker)” starts off with a powerful beat drop and a basic instrumental consisting of a few instruments. Similar to “DASH,” however, the chorus is also repetitive, repeating the line ‘come a so-soñar.’ There is a small portion of “Soñar” that transitions into an aesthetic-type melody, making the vibe change from a powerful feeling to being charming and graceful. The rhythm, special transitions and addictive and catchy lyrics help emphasize how incredible “Soñar” is, and how listeners can be astonished by how NMIXX can pull a song like this off.
“BOOM” is the third track in the album to feature MIXXPOP, and this genre was used very well to create a confusing-but-dynamic feeling. The majority of the sounds bland, but the song suddenly transitions into a pop song at the very end, repeating the same lyrics over and over in a cool way. This makes “BOOM” peculiar but different from the other tracks in this album since the mix up is at the very end and stays that way. The multiple build-ups and the eccentric feelings that this song gives off to listeners makes some intrigued. A song may seem to be dull, but that doesn’t mean that the entire song is going to sound dull since a transition can change the mood entirely.
Although MIXXPOP is present in a majority of the album, that doesn’t mean that every song has a transition and follows the genre. “Run for Roses” is filled with sounds possibly generated by an electric guitar in the background followed by a violin. “Run for Roses” takes a different and quaint approach than any other track that the group has produced. These instruments used to produce the song help provide a traditional impression while at the same time building hype and anticipation near the end where the climax occurs and vocals are at its best.
“Passionfruit” is a pop song with many repeating lyrics, but those lyrics help make the song catchy. The background instrumental is unique too, as there are many audio overlays used on top of the instrumental itself. For instance, after the first chorus there is an overlay of popping noises, creating an interesting but catchy feeling. Although it is not like a song that this group would usually produce for an album, it is extremely appealing and melodious to listeners of the song.
“XOXO” exerts an R&B vibe with powerful harmonies and bass. The song is extremely aimed towards the harmonization of the members, with a majority of the song having background vocals from at least one member. The members use different vocal techniques to create a distinctive tone. People may love “XOXO” due to the incredible harmonization or due to the outstanding tone, but this song is undoubtedly the most underrated song in the entire album.
The last song of the album, “Break the Wall,” has an energetic vibe to it. The song is composed of powerful vocals with high notes and an interesting instrumental, making it stand out from any other song in the album. The chorus is somewhat long but sounds appealing and different as it doesn’t just repeat the same words over and over like most of the other songs, a first of its kind throughout the album. “Break the Wall” matches and belongs to the concept of the album, being diverse and different from any of the other songs in the album.
There was a lot of effort by the group members and producers to make all of the songs in the album stand out from each other. Whether it has MIXXPOP or not, all of the songs provide different moods and emotions to listeners, making the songs worth it to listen to. NMIXX’s “Fe304: Break” album is a creation that should not be forgotten about, due to its extreme uniqueness from any other album made by the group.