On July 18, 2016, HEIZE released her second mini-album And July and the music video for title track “And July.” Ahead of the mini-album’s release, the music video for “Shut Up & Groove” was pre-released on June 2. Both “Shut Up & Groove” and “And July” feature K-R&B powerhouse DEAN, who wrote and composed both tracks and arranged “Shut Up & Groove.” Also included on the mini-album is an acoustic version of HEIZE’s previously released single “Don’t Come Back” (though this version does not feature former HIGHLIGHT member Yong Junhyung) and B-sides “Underwater,” “No Way,” and “Skit: Rainy Day.” While the DEAN-featured tracks are more upbeat R&B tracks similar to his own early solo work, the remaining songs on And July are softer and more laidback.

The Music Videos

The music video for “Shut Up & Groove” is an artist-focused track that sees HEIZE and DEAN either dancing around the outside of an old car, sitting on the old car, or driving around the city streets at night. The two soloists look very comfortable with each other throughout the music video and their chemistry is super refreshing, like two friends that are down to do anything together.

The video for “And July” is a far cry from the late night city drive vibes seen in “Shut Up & Groove,” and while both music videos don’t have fully fleshed-out stories, there is a bit more of a plot to “And July.” The music video for “And July” opens with HEIZE and DEAN standing back-to-back with facial injuries. The opening sequence before HEIZE’s first verse comes in is super cute, with the two dancing around and playfully interacting with one another, before we get into the plot aspect, where they prank each other mercilessly. Salt in cereal, padlocks on toilets, drawing black circles on glasses, glue in shoes, turning the power off while the other is making music...okay, so maybe not pranks, more like destruction of property but make it FUN. After DEAN’s final prank of proposing with chewed gum, we get black-and-white shots of the two boxing each other, which we can assume is how they ended up with the facial injuries. The lyrics suggest that the pranks have made way to expose their true feelings for each other, but they keep pushing back admitting them so that they don’t seem rushed. 

The Comeback Performances

HEIZE did not appear on any music shows to promote And July, but a year after the release of the mini-album, HEIZE appeared on Arirang TV/Radio’s concert series I’m Live, where she performed “Shut Up & Groove,” “And July,” “Don’t Come Back,” and “Star.” Her performance on I’m Live gave HEIZE the chance to perform in an intimate setting for her fans, you can watch HEIZE’s full performance on I’m Live here.

The Legacy

And July peaked at No. 34 on the Gaon Weekly Album Chart. Unfortunately, the album did not chart elsewhere and is her second lowest-charting album to date (the first lowest being Lyricist, which peaked at No. 48). Tracks “And July” and “Shut Up & Groove” were the only album tracks to chart, though the original version of “Don’t Come Back” did chart for much of 2016.

“And July” peaked at No. 9 on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart, No. 3 on the Gaon Weekly Download Chart, and No. 21 on the Gaon Weekly Streaming Chart. The track was nominated at the Gaon Chart Music Awards for “Song of the Year - July” but did not win.

“Shut Up & Groove” peaked at No. 27 on the Gaon Weekly Digital Chart, No. 11 on the Gaon Weekly Download Chart, and No. 36 on the Gaon Weekly Streaming Chart. The track also saw success in America, peaking at No. 24 on the Billboard U.S. World Digital Song Sales Chart.

“And July” remains HEIZE’s best-performing music video five years later, with the official video currently sitting at around 58 million views. In comparison, her next highest view count is for “You, Clouds, Rain” featuring Shin Yongjae, which has 36 million views. The view count for “Shut Up & Groove” is her sixth highest view count, with roughly 18 million views.

A year after the release of And July, HEIZE appeared on the Goblin OST, performing the full-length version of “Round And Round.” This track was a huge success for the soloist, leading to a rise in her popularity in Korea.