[Dispatch=Reporter Lee Ajin] "Blue Valentine" depicted the ache of love tenderly. "Heavy Serenade" burst with conviction about love dramatically. "Long Wish" is filled with lyrical joy.

NMIXX completed the trilogy of "Full Heart." All three songs build emotion with lyrical melodies, then explode in the chorus. They beautifully decorated the journey toward the ideal "Mixxtopia."

The way of expressing that emotion has become more refined. They advanced mixpop by naturally connecting different genres. They preserved popular melodies while maintaining NMIXX's unique musical identity.

Changes also appeared in the music-making process. NMIXX showcased unit songs for the first time since debut. All members participated in writing lyrics, and Kyujin also challenged herself in composition. They expanded their potential as creators beyond their outstanding vocal abilities.

Dispatch listened to NMIXX's sixth mini-album "Strange Muse."

◆ Meticulous Mixpop

NMIXX has built an independent world with each album. They depicted an adventure through the reality world "FIELD" and the imaginative world "MIXX" to the ideal "MIXXTOPIA."

Upon finally arriving at Mixxtopia, the theme they brought forth is "Muse." They convey the message that different and unfamiliar beings can become inspiration to someone. They also released a physical album "Novelban" containing the final story of the world-building.

The title track "Long Wish" compared this message to a birthday. The lyrics carefully wove in narrative. At first, they face each other in "the gap between different dimensions." At the end, they meet again "at the end of dimensions" and vow to remember each other.

It is mixpop combining mumbaton, afrobeats, and future house. In the verse, a mumbaton rhythm flows. The syncopated rhythm unique to reggaeton is lighthearted. In the chorus, a house beat and clear high notes elevate the overwhelming emotion.

They mixed genres more meticulously than before. The bridge section is a prime example. They unfold the melody that appeared in the intro on minimal accompaniment again. They reduced the sense of incongruity by recovering the foreshadowing planted earlier.

Narration also serves as a connecting link. Haewon handles the introduction, and Kyujin the bridge. In the past, they signaled abrupt changes after the phrase "NMIXX CHANGE UP." But now they induce natural transitions by utilizing the pace of emotion.

The A&R team told Dispatch, "While continuing the musical texture of previous works, we focused on a pop-based sound that could publicly convey the members' vocal abilities," and "We tried to find a balance between the abrupt genre transitions of early mixpop and the smooth connectivity of previous works."

◆ Each Other's Muse

If the title track complemented the existing color, the b-sides attempted new approaches. For the first time since debut, they included unit songs. Lily·Haewon, Sullyoon·BAE, and Jiwoo·Kyujin each matched their breathing.

The combinations are familiar to fans. They were shown in the pre-debut "QUALIFYING" series and at a fan meeting in July. The composition considered the harmony of tone and vocal range, and proved their chemistry through multiple stages.

The A&R team said, "As we marked the fifth year since debut, we judged it was time to show each member's individual color," and "NMIXX is a team where each person's unique tone is distinct. We expected this advantage to be better highlighted in the unit songs."

The unit songs focused on one genre each instead of mixpop. Lily and Haewon's "Sing to the Moon" is ballad pop. Over calm piano melodies, the two's sweet tone and solid vocal ability harmonize.

Sullyoon and BAE performed "Hot 'n Unbothered." It is based on a dembow rhythm where heavy kicks and syncopated snares interlock. On top of this, they added R&B-style vocals. The two members' dreamy yet captivating tone stands out.

Jiwoo and Kyujin's "WHIP" is a hip-hop-based uptempo track. It combines synth sound with speedy rap and an addictive pop melody. The rhythmic rap of the two members, who had breathed energy into group tracks so far, leaves a strong impression.

The genre contrast connects with the album's narrative. When divided into units, music that was a single genre becomes mixpop again when all members come together. It is the result of implementing the message that "each other becomes each other's muse" through sound.

The actual working process was the same. The A&R team said, "BAE took reference from Sullyoon's recording to establish direction, and Kyujin worked on the topline for lyrics created by Jiwoo," and "They completed the song by becoming each other's muse."

◆ Beyond Skilled Performers, As Creators

The process of giving and receiving inspiration also led to members' creative participation. All members participated in writing lyrics for their unit songs. Kyujin also challenged herself in composition.

First, Haewon directly proposed the title of "Sing to the Moon." She also prepared two versions of the lyrics. Thanks to this, the song's theme and lyrics became more concrete.

The lyrics in particular that literarily interpret the moon's characteristics in the chorus are impressive. The phrases "smaller than a fingernail / yet large enough to swallow me / for all those days of you" are just that. The crescent moon's shape is expressed as a fingernail, and growing feelings as the changing size of the moon. The sensory metaphor further enhanced the song's sensitivity.

BAE also displayed creativity. In the b-side "Different Girl" from the previous work "Heavy Serenade," she also emphasized the song's individuality through unique expressions.

This time, she changed the song's attitude with a single word. The demo title of "Hot 'n Unbothered" was originally "Hot and Bothered." BAE suggested "Unbothered."

It shifted from the meaning of "hot and agitated" to "hot but unbothered." It intended to reveal a more confident and composed attitude.

Jiwoo and Kyujin created synergy through collaborative work. The start was Jiwoo's memo. Emotions written down like a diary became lyrics. Kyujin attached melody to this and developed it into the topline of "WHIP."

◆ The End of Experimentation is Conviction

This album shows the musical experience NMIXX has accumulated. The completeness of mixpop has reached a higher level. The members proved their growing musical abilities through creation.

Their mixpop no longer remains as unfamiliar experimentation. They combined genres more meticulously and added popular melodies. They succeeded in maintaining their own identity while convincing the public.

Results are following. They received the grand prize for the first time since debut last year. In a new album Q&A, Sullyoon said, "Our journey was sometimes confusing and difficult. The grand prize seems to become the driving force that allows us to trust ourselves more and move forward."

NMIXX has persisted in their own music while going through trial and error. Now they have gained conviction in that music. To the public, they have established themselves as a "group you trust to listen to."

With this album, they put a period to their journey toward Mixxtopia. The narrative that continued from debut has ended, but they have already found their own musical formula. It is anticipated what kind of world they will unfold next and what music they will use to tell that story.

<Photo provided by JYP Entertainment>