The group NMIXX (NMIXX) will release their first full-length album Blue Valentine and its title track of the same name on the 13th.
Having solid skills and charm and established as a "hexagonal girl group," NMIXX expands its presence with its first full album filled with rich and diverse music.
NMIXX showed strong praise and hinted at their grown musicality by presenting a total of 12 tracks including the title track of the same name as the new release "Blue Valentine", "SPINNIN' ON IT" (SPINNIN ON IT), "Phoenix" (Phoenix), "Reality Hurts" (Reality Hurts), "RICO" (RICO), "Game Face" (Game Face), "PODIUM" (PODIUM), "Crush On You" (Crush On You), "ADOR U" (ADOR U), "Shape of Love" (Shape of Love), "O.O Part 1 (Baila)" (O.O Part 1 (Baila)), and "O.O Part 2 (Superhero)" (O.O Part 2 (Superhero)) through the signature teaser content a cappella highlight medley and the original version video
In particular, you can see a wider range of expression in the title track "Blue Valentine." The new song blends melancholic synth sounds, guitar riffs and a boom-bap rhythm with a different sense of speed. It trendily incorporates NMIXX's distinctive strength of having built the original genre "MIXX POP" that fuses two or more genres in one song. According to the teaser released at 12 a.m. on the 12th on NMIXX's SNS channels, the new song's music video also stands out with dramatic visuals that seem to awaken a surreal sensibility.
The tracks "PODIUM", "Crush On You", and "Reality Hurts", which Haewon and Lily participated in writing, and "O.O Part 1 (Baila)" and "O.O Part 2 (Superhero)", which each unfold genre-specific parts of the debut song "O.O" into two songs, are receiving high expectations from domestic and international NSWER (fandom name: NSWER).
NMIXX, returning about seven months after mini album Fe3O4: FORWARD, will carry out active promotions and hold their first solo concert over two days on Nov. 29 and 30.
Below is a Q&A about NMIXX's comeback.
Q. NMIXX is about to release its first full-length album Blue Valentine. It's been about 3 years and 8 months since your debut in Feb. 2022 that you're releasing a full album. As it's been long awaited by fans, it must also be especially meaningful to the members. Please tell us how you feel about the comeback.
Seolyun: Our members waited for this and the fans have also期待ed for a long time for our first full album, so we prepared really hard. I think the reason this album activity feels even more thrilling and exciting is because it's a full album that can show NMIXX's diverse music. I hope many people will love it.
Jiwoo: I'm really excited and happy to finally be able to show NMIXX's first full album to NSWER. I thank the members who prepared hard together and everyone who worked for this album, and I especially want to say thank you to NSWER, who gave NMIXX the great strength to come back with this confidence. Thank you, NSWER!
Gyujin: I'm glad that NMIXX can finally release our first full album. I felt I grew while working on this album. Because a full album has more tracks and diverse music genres, I expect NSWER will like it the most. I'm waiting with a pounding heart for the album to be released, and I'm curious how the public will receive the title track "Blue Valentine."
Q. Expectations are high for the title track "Blue Valentine." The concept photos expressing the "ambivalence of love" and the webtoon that deals with the voyage to MIXXTOPIA drew attention. Please introduce the song.
Haewon: As revealed in the worldbuilding webtoon, during NMIXX's journey toward MIXXTOPIA, we learn that we had failed at certain stages each time, which splits opinions on whether to continue the adventure. In this process, they face "unavoidable conflicts between people in love" and it's a story that makes you think about the "ambivalence of love." The "Blue Valentine" music video contains these emotions and shows "confirming each other's feelings in a space where past and present, universe and reality are mixed." Also, the new song's choreography has many moves making a "heart" with the hands, so counting how many times the heart gesture appears could be a small fun point!
Q. Lily and Haewon's names stood out in the album credits. Is there a process or behind-the-scenes story you want to tell fans about participating in the songwriting?
Lily: I had a good opportunity to participate in writing the lyrics for the full album track "Reality Hurts." Because it's NMIXX's first song with English lyrics, I thought it would be more meaningful if my words were included, so I worked hard on it. It was my first time doing it, so I was very nervous and it felt new. I thought a lot about how to blend the overall message NMIXX wants to convey into the lyrics, and I'm proud because the result came out well. I hope NSWER will really like it!
Haewon: I worked on the bridge part of "PODIUM" by carving out time on the day there was an overseas fan concert. I remember spending the whole day focusing only on that. I worried a long time because I wanted to write it in a flow that isn't common yet doesn't feel unfamiliar. Also, since it was my first time participating in an NMIXX song, it was really touching when the members said they were "proud." I want to participate in more songs starting with this album.
Q. NMIXX's signature teaser content, the a cappella highlight medley, also drew great attention this time. The video, made only with the six members' vocals, hinted at the high completeness of the new album. Excluding the title track, please tell us each member's favorite album track and why.
Lily: It's too hard to pick a favorite track… but if I had to choose one, it would be "SPINNIN' ON IT." From the first time I heard the instrumental version it hit my taste, and I chose it because I really like the melody.
Haewon: "Shape of Love"! I tend to like songs that I felt the most emotionally involved with when recording, and this song is that kind of song. It touches on the meaning of "loving you in any shape or color without problem or concern," and it seems like a song that can firmly imprint respect for diversity, which NMIXX has aimed to express since debut.
Seolyun: I like songs with lyrics full of affection, so "Crush On You." The lyrics are really cute and just listening to it gives you a fluttering feeling. I also practiced a lot to convey that feeling well because I want many people to feel that fluttering emotion when they hear "Crush On You."
Bae: While preparing the first full album, I worked on 12 tracks with excitement. Since we tried to show many fresh and good songs, there are many tracks I want to recommend from this album, but my favorite track is "Phoenix"! When I first heard it, it felt grand like mini album 4 Papillon, and I liked that. The heart-stirring sound seemed to capture my heart. Also, one of the reasons I like "Phoenix" is that our members really bring that kind of song to life well.
Jiwoo: After performing "O.O Part 1 (Baila)" and "O.O Part 2 (Superhero)" at the fan concert, many fans liked them. I also grew to like Part 2 "O.O Part 2 (Superhero)" more and wanted it to be released as a digital track, so I'm really happy it's finally being officially released!
Gyujin: Before choosing a favorite track, the a cappella highlight medley content is so fun every time we film it. I think it's really special to be able to make and present different-feeling beautiful melodies using only the six members' voices. And since a cappella is mainly harmony, we worked hard to make every part sound harmonious, and I was proud that fans' reactions were good this time as well.
Also, my current favorite album track in my heart seems to be "SPINNIN' ON IT." It was very hard to choose, but "SPINNIN' ON IT" is a band-based genre I like, and the melody and song development are just my taste. Please be sure to listen!
Q. Aside from the epithet "hexagonal girl group" that represents NMIXX, is there any reaction you hope to get through this comeback?
Lily: This time we tried a new challenge. For the melancholic "Blue Valentine," it would be great to see overwhelming responses like "NMIXX's lyric delivery is amazing" or "I cry when I listen to NMIXX songs!"
Haewon: I'll answer in one sentence: "How far will we grow?!"
Bae: Because it's our first full album, we prepared the album doing our best together with everyone. We knew fans were waiting for a full album, and since the members waited as well, I think we tried to show all our various sides. So when people listen to our album I want to hear comments like "an album you have to listen to from track 1 to track 12!", "a more grown NMIXX~", and "NMIXX we look forward to in the future!"
Q. You will hold NMIXX's first solo concert on Nov. 29 and 30. What mindset are you preparing with?
Seolyun: Because it's our first solo concert, we're working hard to show many bigger and cooler stages. As expected, I think it will be a place to showcase NMIXX's true value. And since the concert is held after the release of our first full album, we hope you will look forward to even newer and fresher stages.
Jiwoo: Because it's NMIXX's first solo concert, we are preparing hard so NSWER who come to see the performance can enjoy it! We will show stages that best reveal NMIXX's unique color.
Gyujin: I'm so nervous and excited about the first solo concert following the full album release. While practicing, I keep getting more ambitious. It will be a performance many people can look forward to, and we will present a satisfying concert. Please show a lot of interest.
[Photo] Provided by JYP Entertainment.
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