They’re known for their experiments. They wouldn’t be them without a slightly polarising tune or two on each album. It’s everything the music lover wants to hear these days: something new, and NMIXX have always been pretty good at bringing that. The girls just came out with their latest EP, Fe304: STICK OUT, and it’s an absolute gem of a listen: if you know how to have fun.
“별별별 (See that?)” opens confidently with a vintage bassline that’ll erupt goosebumps in the nostalgic music lover. We love seeing ‘90s Hip Hop make another return to K-Pop that we had from BTS back in their rap-heavy days; the come and go of a Dr Dre-esque whining synth fleshes out a tune that would be lost without it. The sudden mood change two minutes in would be jarring if NMIXX hadn’t announced to the world two years prior their intention of creating their own genre: a certain “mixx pop” that involves stitching two noticeably different genres in one song. This of course shouldn’t excuse a song from being careless, but in the case of their title track, the intention feels clear and thought-out.
The grimier, rappier, and more modern influenced sibling of “별별별 (See that?)” is “SICKUHH”, identified best by its moody vocal frys that you’ll either love or hate. Featuring rapper Kid Milli works fabulously with the girls, matching their energy and adding a flavour to the track that doesn’t feel out of place, and the last 30 seconds are the most stellar. You’re ready for something a bit chirpier by its end: a void “Red light sign, but we go” does begin to fill. It’s finally time for the vocalists to shine, and it’s just as well: NMIXX has got some of the best singers of their generation in K-Pop, and they need their spotlight. A short and sweet song that is in constant change of rhythm is kept fresh on each repeat.
NMIXX sound genuinely happy for the first time on the EP in “BEAT BEAT”: an infinitely fun hype song to a speedy EDM beat. Spot the whistle note ad-libs from BAE near the end: it’s so flawless and subtle you’d think it was an odd synth choice, but no. NMIXX are simply stand-outs when it comes to vocal skills in the industry.
“Moving On” and “Love Is Lonely” are where things get cosier. While the former is like a Britpop-ish rock anthem: chipper and sentimental, the latter and closing piece of the EP is more 2010s EDM-pop. Both are highly anthemic, but in very different ways. “Love Is Lonely”’s misleading title has us surprised to hear the song’s sweet declarations of love: “When everyone yearns for the sun / I’ll dive into your rain.”
Were it not for the slow, hand-holding transition from acquired taste-levels of experimental to easy listens, listeners would find Fe304: STICK OUT a bit of an inharmonious experience. Luckily they got the order just right: if each song were a colour, the EP’s tracklist would be a perfect gradient. We’re left with a record that feels complete, well-designed, and doesn’t bore by sticking to any one genre for too long. That’s what NMIXX are all about.