Feel Awake with NiziU’s AWAKE!
JYP’s premier Japanese girl group NiziU is back to brighten up winter with their latest release and first mini-album AWAKE. The group has steadily dropped music throughout 2024 with single “RISE UP” this past summer and single “SWEET NONFICTION,” which comes back as a B-side in their first full album since 2023’s COCONUT. NiziU continues to innovate in the J-Pop space with their strong K-Pop influences, and AWAKE is no exception to the trend.
AWAKE Tracklist:
“YOAKE”
“SWEET NONFICTION”
“Buddy Buddy”
“Life is Beautiful”
“CRUSH”
“Memories”
“AlwayS”
The Title Track: “YOAKE”
NiziU opens up AWAKE with a soft but upbeat instrumental reminiscent of a soft morning sunrise in “YOAKE.” It’s ethereal in a way that energizes at the same time. The members discuss the newfound freedom from a relationship while holding onto the memories that the person gave them. Comparing this freedom to a brand new day, the group is still proud of the independence they have found for themselves.
This desire is accompanied by a disco-inspired and percussive sound. A strong rhythm is found throughout the song and paints a picture of a city at dawn, waiting to be lit by the early morning sunrise. This sonic landscape is a new look at NiziU, most known for a youthful and bright image, and it works great as the members transition into this new sound and concept.
B-Side Spotlight: “SWEET NONFICTION”
One of three promotional singles for “AWAKE,” “SWEET NONFICTION” has had a bit of time to marinate in the public before the release of AWAKE, having been released almost a year ago in March of 2024. “SWEET NONFICTION” takes inspiration from J-Pop’s rock roots and adds a K-Pop spin with its digital accents and production. The track complements the rest of the mini-album as an upbeat album and continues the morning and daylight motif, coming off as a midday pick-me-up with a sweet and bright sound.
The Final Verdict
AWAKE is a modest departure from the bright and bubbly NiziU. “YOAKE” explores relationships in a new angle for the group, taking advantage of a softer and more mature tone while still keeping their upbeat sound. Single “SWEET NONFICTION” evolves their sound, bringing them closer to a more typical J-Pop sound that the genre is known for. Either way, NiziU is entering a period of exploration that made the group popular in the first place.
Edited by Cara Musashi