One of the unwritten rules dictating success in the modern pop sphere is that as an artist you need to have a set sound or style to attract and sustain a fanbase. Many artists trial a range of genres until they find something that speaks to their music or strikes gold in the charts. However, NMIXX take a very different approach. Instead of focusing on a single defined style, their identity revolves around variety itself.
Very rarely has the name of a K-Pop group fed so strongly into not only their image, but their sound. ‘NMIXX’ is a blend of ‘N’ symbolising ‘Now’, ‘New’, ‘Next’ and the unknown ‘n’, and ‘mix’ which symbolises combination and diversity. Combined together, the group name implies the creation of something new by blending various combinations of styles. This is further exemplified through their own self-coined genre of music, dubbed ‘MIXX POP/MIXXPOP’. This new genre combines two or more other genres within one song, often with distinct transitions between them.
Part 1: A Journey into MIXXPOP
Nowhere is this more evident than in their debut single ‘Ad Mare’. ‘Ad Mare’ is Latin for ‘To the Sea’ , evoking an image of going on a journey across the ocean. In this way, NMIXX aim to chart new territory with the unpredictability of the tides. Released on 22nd February 2022, this single album contained the title track ‘O.O’ and the B-side track ‘Tank’. Taken together, both songs are the purest representation of this concept.
‘O.O’ is one of the most experimental K-Pop debuts of all time. The song jumps between many genres and styles at a breakneck pace. It starts with a trap-infused rap section, and blends genres like baile funk, teen pop and pop rock. Perhaps the most fascinating and controversial part of the song though is the dramatic shift half way through the song between the ‘A’ and ‘B’ section. Whilst the ‘A’ section was composed in the E minor key at 133 BPM, the ‘B’ section was composed in the A major key at 100 BPM. This sudden change in not just key but tempo makes for a shocking and exciting first listen.
In fact, both sections of the song are so different that NMIXX have performed 2 different remixed versions in their various fan events over the past few years. The ‘Baila’ version leans more heavily into the beginning ‘A’ section and expands that into it’s own full song. Likewise, the ‘Superhero’ version expands the ‘B’ section into a bright and playful pop song. This blend of two contrasting styles within one song became a key talking point for fans and critics alike.
‘Tank’ has less of an ‘A’/’B’ structure but still is very much an amalgamation of styles. The song features a repeated spoken chorus hook of ‘Freaky fresh, fresh, I’m so freaky fresh, fresh’ and heavy percussive instrumentals. However, it also showcases powerful siren-like vocals from the main vocalists. In this way the versatility of NMIXX has been at the very core of their identity since their debut.
NMIXX followed this release up with a collab single, and then a cover single (‘Kiss’).
However, the grand return to their self-coined genre of ‘MIXXPOP’ came with the release of their second single album, ‘ENTWURF’. The title track for this album was ‘DICE’. Minor changes were made to the ‘MIXXPOP’ style for this track, as it sticks to a 131 BPM pace and the G Major key. Genre changes are still ever-present, as the track mixes elements of pop, jazz, trap and hip-hop. It also leans more heavily into a now-common NMIXX trope – the ‘change up’. While in this song it is explicitly introduced in the lyrics, this typically involves a point where the genre suddenly changes for a bridge section to add more variety to the song. This has since become a staple of most of their songs.
This release was accompanied by ‘COOL (Your Rainbow)’, which, while a much softer and slower tempo track than their prior releases, had a key statement about the group’s identity. The song features 808 bass, trap beats, and a mix of classical string instrumentation. While the song has no ‘change up’ or strong rap section, the lyrics help exemplify the group image. They discuss the range of emotions we all feel from the positive to the negative, and how this is part of normal life. In essence these unique colours create a rainbow. Rainbows showcase a wide spectrum of pigments and encompass everything we can perceive. In this way, NMIXX’s style and concept is a rainbow that is both broad and deep and embraces the very essence of variety itself.
The follow up to this song was the group’s special Christmas single ‘Funky Glitter Christmas’, their first ‘INTERMIXXION’ single. While this was a year-end seasonal gift to fans, even this bright and fun song has MIXXPOP at it’s core. Official descriptions of the song state that it showcases the variety of the members and mixes the melodies of multiple Christmas carols together to create something entirely new. In this way NMIXX created something new out of the combination of familiar themes – Funky Glitter Christmas is in essence the core of the NMIXX concept.
As NMIXX grew and evolved, so did MIXXPOP. The next single release was ‘Young, Dumb, Stupid’, the pre-release track for the group’s first EP, expérgo. This is a big departure from their previous lead single releases yet retains the same core structure. This track mixes traditional children’s ’round’ style songs and nursery rhymes (Frère Jacques) with a hip-hop concept. This song is therefore much lighter and more playful but uses the MIXXPOP genre to take NMIXX in a new direction.
With the full release of éxpergo came their new title track, ‘Love Me Like This’. MIXXPOP elements are lighter in this track, but there is a clear mix of hip-hop, spoken word refrains and R&B style vocal riffs here that make the song an instant earworm.
The rest of the EP does not lean as hard into the MIXXPOP concept, but does showcase the musical variety that has come to be expected from the group. ‘PAXXWORD’ is light and airy with a videogame concept. ‘Just Did It’ mixes brighter vocals with repeated word refrains. ‘My Gosh’ is soft and bright pop at it’s core with stripped back instrumentals. Finally, ‘HOME’ has gained a reputation as a crowd pleaser and concert ending song with a blend of hip-hop and a simple yet emotional chorus. All of these styles are in display of the first of their now iconic Highlight Medley’s, that showcase segments of their songs in an A Cappella style.
‘A Midsummer NMIXX’s Dream’ was the next single album to be released, with two tracks, ‘Party O’Clock’ and ‘Rollercoaster’. Both tracks have a distinctly summer vibe to them. MIXXPOP sits on the backburner for these two tracks, but NMIXX’s concept is still present.
Firstly, ‘Party O’Clock’ and it’s music video lean heavily into the album theming, which is based around William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The girls host a party wherein the realms of dream blend into reality. This creates a very light yet addictive song, fitting for the theme of an endless party. This magical blend between the realms is the ‘mix’ and the unexpected element of this concept. The song itself is two-step garage with the group’s traditional vocal flourishes.
‘Rollercoaster’ on the other hand, the pre-release of the album, features a bit more of a mix of styles. The genre of bossa nova is seamlessly mixed with urban house to create a very immersive listening experience that feels like a refreshing drink on a summer’s day.
NMIXX step fully back into their MIXXPOP roots across the next few EPs, known collectively as the Fe304 series. The first EP of this series was Fe304: BREAK.
The pre-release single for this EP, ‘Soñar (Breaker)’ is a mix of Latin music, hip-hop and UK garage. This song’s eclectic blend of styles even bleeds into the lyrics, which discuss depictions of things that could only happen in your imagination. A Spanish language version was later released, which leans further into the Latin music instrumentation and was a big hit with the Latin-American community.
The title track for this era was ‘DASH’. This song blends old-school hip hop style choruses with pop punk vocals, while also incorporating elements of jazz vocalisation. Much like it’s name implies, this song is swiftly paced, using the repeated ‘Dash, I wanna dash, I wanna run it, run it” chorus line to instantly lodge itself in the listener’s memory.
‘Run for Roses’ was another album standout. This B-side track remains one of the group’s most popular songs and for good reason. Country pop is blended with violin instrumentals, high notes and vocal twangs. This combination works really well for the group as it helps highlight each member’s unique tones, timbres and enunciations while the members defiantly sing about running together to overcome their hardships.
Beyond the 3 tracks that had music videos and special clips, this album had 4 additional songs. ‘BOOM’ is a hip-hop song that contrasts softer vocals with a bombastic chorus. This song in particular features multiple tempo changes and shifts which makes for a dynamic listen. ‘Passionfruit’ is a much lighter song in the Jersey Club Bounce genre. Using falsetto voices and a call and response structure, the song feels almost conversational to listen to. ‘XOXO’ blends pop and R&B to great effect, utilising rising bridges to engage the listener. Finally, ‘Break The Wall’ is a stadium banger, putting a twist on traditional pop through the use of a minimal pre-chorus accompanied by a loud repeated refrain that loudly announces that NMIXX are here and ready to overcome any obstacles.
Continuing the Fe304 series, Fe304: STICK OUT leaned even more heavily into the diversity of genres. ‘SICKUHH (Feat Kid. Milli)’ was teased through a pre-release visualiser and is the most rap-heavy NMIXX track by far. It has very heavy bass instrumentals, accompanied by fast and intense rap sections that barrage the listener.
The title track for this EP was ‘See that?’. This song musically is more complex than most of NMIXX’s songs. The song blends a laid-back pop melody within a hip-hop laden chorus, and a change-up that features country instrumentals and melodious vocal runs. Mix in a very powerful sing-along segment towards the song’s conclusion and you are guaranteed an unforgettable listening experience.
The rest of the EP is just as varied. ‘Love is Lonely’ incorporates elements of EDM alongside soft acoustic vocals, stunning harmonies and airy vocal sections to convey a sense of loneliness and longing.
‘Red light sign, but we go’ is a frenetic dance song that mixes heavy bass and a high tempo with a catchy spoken word chorus that makes a confident and bold statement. ‘BEAT BEAT’ is an instantly catchy and fluttery dance-pop track with sticky lyrics and a repeated ‘daridam, daridam’ chorus section that will stick in your head for days. Lastly, ‘Moving On’ is a more intimate sound, using gentle pop-rock instrumentation to propel the group’s stellar vocals to new heights.
That brings us to NMIXX’s most recent release. Fe304: Forward is NMIXX at their most powerful. No punches were pulled for any of the songs in this EP, and the group’s identity is at the absolute forefront of every track.
Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the outstanding pre-release track ‘High Horse’. The piano instrumental is juxtaposed with a strong drum track. This supports a pop-ballad song structure that also incorporates elements of rap, breakbeat, and jazz. The listening experience is akin to a dreamy adventure. Mix in some of the group’s most complex vocal runs and a standout verse where the main vocalists really get to showcase their power, and it is an album hook like no other.
Title track ‘Know About Me’ also carves a new path for the group’s sound. If I was to describe the vibe of this song in one line, I would say it is ‘calm but intense’. Chilled hip-hop is blended seamlessly with trap synths to create an attention grabbing yet profoundly relaxed listen. The chorus revolves around a rap hook but remains reserved, subverting listener expectations and giving the song it’s own unique and memorable niche.
The rest of the EP serves to truly showcase how far the MIXXPOP concept has come. ‘Slingshot (<★)’ is wild, blending ’90’s Rave House and Ratchet genres to create a song that, like it’s namesake, jumps from vocal medley to hard hitting rap and back again at supersonic speeds. ‘Golden Recipe’ uses many layers of vocal mix to create layered harmonies interposed with vocal chops. The use of rap sections and an instrumental combining alarm sounds and string instrumentation complete the song to create an intense listen. ‘Papillon’ is a song that showcases progression as it’s primary message. Opening with a trippy vocal intro, it quickly transitions into an off-kilter chorus and a post-chorus that just keeps building and building. It is experimental pop at it’s best, loudest and most confident. The album is rounded out with ‘Ocean’, an indie pop song that flows like the sea, carrying the listener through a soft vocal mix accentuated by a perfectly timed key change that enchants the listener.
Part 2: Mixxing Up the Performance:
By now, you have had a journey through NMIXX’s discography, exploring how MIXXPOP has evolved and changed over time. You’ve seen how at times this change is loud and drastic and at other times subdued and subtle. You’ve also seen how this mix creates variation not just in the title tracks but within EP’s, keeping a listener engaged and never knowing what to expect next.
But for NMIXX, MIXXPOP isn’t just a part of their name, or their music production, or just a stand-in for the blending of genres. It’s also a platform for some of the most creative and unexpected vocal performances in the entire K-Pop industry.
At times, this takes the form of subtle riffs on existing and expected song structures. Many K-pop performances follow the core melody of a song and aim to create an engaging audience experience in line with fan expectations, however NMIXX love to surprise.
A key example of this is the below performance of ‘DASH’ for ‘SoundBOMB360˚’, which strips back flashy choreography and puts the focus on the vocals. What this creates is an acoustic treat for the audience both in the audience and at home (listen with headphones!). Minor variations on this familiar song, like Jiwoo’s sing-rap, Lily’s high note changes and high note accompaniments and Haewon’s gruff chorus lines add an extra layer to the performance beyond the studio version. In this way, NMIXX ensure each stage is different and enhance and expand the vision of the original songs, rather than falling into preconceived expectations.
Secondly, NMIXX’s Tiny Desk Korea performance is unlike any other K-Pop concert and showcases everything that fans have come to love about the group. At 26 minutes, this showcase blends together many of their songs alongside a full live band accompaniment. It is a testament to their skills and vocals that they pulled off such a feat. For those of you who don’t know, this concert was recorded in one take, meaning NMIXX’s vocal flourishes and interactions here form a fully natural part of the experience. This half-hour features completely new genre interpretations on pre-existing MIXXPOP songs, a playful NMIXX-fronted instrumental change up and some of their greatest vocal range and depth.
Finally, another great example of their versatility is evident in their 3rd Anniversary Live Clips. NMIXX have a strong appreciation for the art of live performance, and through working with a live band (the same band that they also utilised for their Tiny Desk Korea performance), they can masterfully change the tone and vibes of their songs. As part of these celebrations, they performed a cover of DAY6’s ‘Happy. On a previous appearance on ‘The KStar Next Door’, they were challenged by host Jonathan to cover the song. However, after each line, the key was raised, creating a memorable and fun performance. The anniversary version doubles down on this, using instrumentation to support each key change. Seeing the group play around, running on the spot, playing the keyboard and supporting one another while hitting increasingly high notes showcases their vocal prowess in new and exciting ways.
From just these 3 examples alone, it is evident that beyond their vocal skills, the girls take the concept of variety in music seriously. They intentionally change tones and add new parts to existing songs, and switch up genres, tempos and pitch with ease. In this way, while many groups find success in working to an established sound, NMIXX take pride in continual reinvention – this iterative process allows them to grow and develop while breaking new boundaries.
Conclusion – Changing it Up:
In conclusion, NMIXX’s concept, sound and performance are so intertwined that MIXXPOP has evolved far beyond a perceived ‘gimmick’ to an encapsulation of their artistic essence. I truly believe that this is what will help NMIXX to stand the test of time. Much as in the outside world, effort, talent and the ability to reinvent oneself is what propels people to new heights. Perhaps from this, we can all take away one key lesson. Embrace the different, surprise people, and do it all with such confidence that the world can’t help but notice.
Thank you for taking the time to read this very lengthy analysis and thought piece on NMIXX and their music. Let me know your thoughts! Are you a seasoned NSWER, a casual listener, or did you discover NMIXX through this article?
Do you have any suggestions for any future articles? Do you have an artist you want showcased, a musical topic discussed, or a new album reviewed? Let me know in the comments below!
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