K-pop girl group NMIXX has released their first full-length album, titled Blue Valentine, marking a significant milestone in their burgeoning career. Debuting under JYP Entertainment in 2022, the group has garnered attention for their distinctive sound, which they call MIXX Pop. This new album features a blend of genres, showcasing the members’ vocal talents and artistic versatility.
The album’s title track, a melancholic pop-rock piece, highlights the group’s powerful vocals and has begun to achieve domestic success, currently ranking at No. 51 on the Melon Top 100 chart. According to Haewon, the group’s leader and main vocalist, Blue Valentine is an exploration of various love stories, capturing emotions that listeners may relate to. “On this album, we put in a lot of love stories that maybe people are going through, have already gone through, or maybe will be going through,” she stated during a recent interview.
Exploring New Sounds and Emotions
NMIXX members expressed their excitement and anticipation surrounding the album’s release. Lily emphasized the significance of releasing a full album in the K-pop industry, noting that many of their predecessors have produced iconic first albums. She stated, “I really hope that our first full album, Blue Valentine, can end up as a very iconic album in NMIXX’s discography.”
The group has built a reputation for exploring various musical styles while maintaining their unique identity. In discussing the lead single, Lily remarked, “This title song was very new for us in a way. We’ve done a lot of different genres, but every single time we have a comeback, it feels fresh.” This commitment to innovation is evident in their choreography as well, with members balancing intense dance routines alongside their vocal performances.
Kyujin highlighted the extensive training the group has undergone, stating that their diverse experiences in choreography and vocal performance have prepared them for the challenges of performing various genres. Reflecting on their dance for the song “High Horse,” Lily noted the difficulty of the choreography and the satisfaction of successfully performing it live.
Full Circle Moments and Fan Connection
The music video for the title track was filmed in Los Angeles, employing unique filming techniques that enhance its visual appeal. Members indicated that watching the behind-the-scenes footage would provide further insight into the creative process. Baek emphasized the significance of the album’s structure, which revisits their debut song, “O.O,” breaking it into two tracks that reflect their artistic evolution.
Lily expressed that including these reimagined tracks in their first full-length album feels like a full-circle moment. “We’ve performed it during our concerts, and our fans have always requested it as an actual album track,” she shared. This connection to their past serves as a poignant reminder of their journey since debuting in 2022.
As NMIXX approaches their fourth anniversary as a group, they acknowledge the pressures that come with their continued growth. Baek described initial feelings of pressure regarding their artistic direction but mentioned that the support from their fans, known as NSWER, has transformed this pressure into excitement. “Our fans give us the support and courage we need,” she added.
The group has also ventured into songwriting, with Haewon and Lily contributing lyrics to the album. Haewon expressed her long-standing desire to write, while Lily acknowledged the challenges of ensuring her lyrics resonate with fans. “It was worth it because I’m really proud that I get to hear the members singing the lyrics that I wrote,” she stated.
NMIXX’s Blue Valentine is more than just a collection of songs; it represents their growth as artists and their desire to connect with listeners through relatable themes and innovative sounds. As they continue to navigate the competitive K-pop landscape, their commitment to exploring diverse genres and heartfelt storytelling sets them apart in the ever-evolving music industry.
