NMIXX's Blue Valentine Is A Masterclass in Cohesive Experimentation
Photo: JYP Entertainment
In a musical landscape often defined by predictability, NMIXX returns with a career-defining project rooted in bending the musical narrative. Their first full-length album, Blue Valentine, stands as their most mature and cohesive body of work to date, proving that artistic bravery and melodic beauty are not mutually exclusive.
The title track, "Blue Valentine," serves as a perfect microcosm of the group's identity. It begins with a serene soundscape and top-tier harmonies, lulling the listener into a state of calm before expertly shifting gears. The song evolves into a melancholic alternative rock-pop track, later weaving in a Jersey club chord progression that defies expectation. While the signature "mixx pop" beat switches are daring, sometimes challenging traditional cohesion, they ultimately create a captivating and engaging listen that refuses to be background noise. True to form, NMIXX uses this genre-blending canvas to deliver euphoric, powerful vocals that anchor the entire experiment.
The accompanying music video is a visual storm that mirrors the song's complex themes. Shot and edited like a "remixed fever dream," it features reversed and contorted choreography, a bold, uncommon choice in K-Pop that shows their commitment to innovation. The title itself is a profound clue to the narrative’s depth. Drawing inspiration from the 2010 film of the same name, which chronicles the painful breakdown of a marriage, "Blue Valentine" explores the "blues" of love: the fading of passion, the reality of change, and the struggles inherent in intimate relationships. This unromantic, realistic view of love becomes increasingly apparent through the video's intimate cinematography, melancholic color grading, and discombobulating edits.
Beyond the title track, the Blue Valentine album is a treasure trove of standout B-sides that showcase the group's versatility. Here are some stand-out tracks:
“ADORE U” is a vocal tour de force, so cinematic it feels destined for a major film soundtrack.
“Crush On You” blends warm Latin influences with an airy pop sound, perfectly capturing the sun-drenched, fluttery feeling of having a crush.
“Shape of Love” stands as one of the strongest entries in NMIXX's entire discography. This euphoric, floating ballad demonstrates their signature "mixx pop" at its most seamless and innovative.
“RICO” leans into a reggaeton rhythm, yet it never loses the group's unique identity, striking a perfect balance between appreciation for global sounds and genuine innovation.
Blue Valentine is a stellar achievement. Its creative direction, thematic depth, and melodic strengths demand attention. In an industry grappling with how to stand out in the modern attention economy, NMIXX provides a clear answer: dare to experiment. With this album, they have not only carved out a distinct space for themselves but have also delivered a compelling blueprint for the future of pop experimentation.
Music Video Score: 9.5/10
Title Track Score: 8.5/10
Total Album Score: 9.4/10
Edited by Cara Musashi