NMIXX are a group with a genuinely good idea. They call it ‘Mixxpop’. The basic premise is that by taking two separate genres and combining them, you can make something fresh and new. This idea, for however interesting it might sound, only exists in concept as any attempt to execute on that promise on this new album feels extremely undercooked because of how tentatively the group approach their genre fusions. ‘Soñar (Breaker)’ feels like the only serious attempt at the Mixxpop formula, combining Latin with UK garage. The formula seems to me to be a ‘throw anything at the wall and see what work’s approach that’s just been given a name for the sake of marketability.
In fact, the closer this album stays to conventional pop, the more I ended up liking it. The energetic ‘Run For Roses’ has some galloping swell to it that materialises into a remarkably sticky hook, and ‘Break The Wall’ is a huge singalong closer that is bound to sound amazing live. ‘Passionfruit’ is also a decent song that goes down super easy thanks to the liquid keyboards paired with the twinkling synths. If any song from this album is going to go viral on TikTok it will be this one, mark my words.
Don’t get me wrong, I like these songs, but once you get to the overblown bass that completely kills any sense of sensuality on ‘XOXO’, the fidgety beat complete with siren sound effects on ‘BOOM’ (not to mention the repeating of the words ‘tick’ and ‘boom’ into oblivion), and the general frustration that this is a group that don’t have much identity outside of their gimmick (and it’s a gimmick their only half committed to at best), it becomes hard to root for them.
That lack of identity is most strongly reflected in how this album is totally interchangeable lyrically. A lot of the writing revolves around challenging what is impossible, staying united, and other broad concepts that don’t do a lot for me. The closest this album gets to forming a lyrical identity of its own is ‘Dash’, a spirited song about slowing down for no one, and one that certainly keeps you on your toes thanks to all the musical switch ups.
If you like this, I get why. I might not be the biggest fan, but NMIXX are clearly a group with musical ambition and they know their way around a good hook. Sometimes that’s all you need.