A year into their careers, NMIXX have finally released their first EP since debut, expérgo. The title track, “Love Me Like This,” is their signature mixxpop song with the combination of both hip-hop and R&B. With a mini-album, the group explores new and exciting styles, so let’s take a look at what they have to offer.

The following review is based on the opinion of the writer and does not reflect the thoughts of Team Genius Korea or Genius Media Group, Inc.

Title Track: “Love Me Like This”

The lyrics truly entail one’s elucidation on how someone should approach them if they desire a relationship in love. The chorus details this especially as it repeats, “Love me like this, love me like that,” which hints at the many things that have to be done before they can love you right back, as the last line of the chorus states. However, “Love Me Like This” also portrays that if you go through that much effort to win someone’s heart, they’ll love you just as equally back. Though some of the lines encompass the message of the song very well,

철철로 만든 heart, 예쁜 꽃을 피워봐
사막 속에 비를 내려봐 (Uh, uh)
If you wanna be my lover
닫힌 맘을 다 깨뜨려
If you wanna, wanna
Wanna, wanna, wanna

Trans: Iron-made heart make a pretty flower bloom in it
Make it rain in the desert (Uh-uh)
If you wanna be my lover, break open the closed heart
If you wanna, wanna,
Wanna, wanna, wanna

“Love Me Like This” as a song isn’t what you’d expect NMIXX to release, given their last two releases, which had much distinct genres mixed into each other. Jiwoo’s stripped intro kicks off the song, making it a pleasing start before the bouncy and poppy beat comes in. Sullyoon’s part in the pre-chorus is a minor switch up from the bounce, and shortly after is, of course, Lily’s eloquent vocals that are supplemented with a vigorous bass drum to truly entail how impactful vocals can be.

The chorus brings back the poppy beat, and the repetition of “Love me like this, love me like that,” which will certainly get stuck in your head after a few listens, given how addicting the song is. The bridge section of the song is truly spectacular, with how vividly Lily and Haewon’s harmonization smoothly transitions into a final chorus. “Love Me Like This” is definitely a highlight song of this year and a nice change-up for NMIXX themselves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDnwWcFpObo

Some may have noticed that the music video for “Love Me Like This” seems to have been “under budget” as a lot of it is filmed on a white background. However, the video is in-line with their past productions and their overarching storyline. It is random but has a sprinkle of fun animations and eccentric set designs to keep you captivated.

B-Sides

“Young, Dumb, Stupid”

This B-side track was a surprise release on March 12th, a week before the album came out, and it showed a fun side NMIXX similar to their previous special release, “Funky Glitter Christmas.” The chorus for this song does, in fact, use the melody from the famously known nursery rhyme “Frere Jacques.” The inclusion of the same melody adds to the familiarity of the song. The intro of the song definitely puts you in a good mood, and it adds to the experience of listening to the song very admirably. The pre-chorus, which is drastically different from the playful nature of the song, is quite a highlight.

“PAXXWORD”

Personally, this is my favorite B-side from expérgo. The English lines and words in the verses flow really nicely in a song like this and don’t feel out of place at all. What I find especially fitting is how it was composed in a way to make it sound like data transferring and computer bootup in the intro, a nice nod to the title of the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDWPLxbCRcQ

“PAXXWORD” has a really upbeat vibe and an appealing hook that definitely keeps you engaged. The short ad-libs aren’t overbearing at all and are nice little details that are the cherry-on-top for the song itself.

“Just Did It”

The third B-side of the EP features graceful and bubbly opening verses that are followed by an inviting pre-chorus. Characterization of the confident and commanding nature is identified throughout, simply allowing the members to flex that they “just did it.” This contradistinction between fizzy verses and deeper refrain forms this funky maelstrom that is particularly to enjoy. The song closes off with its initial playful charm with a pleasant harmony.

You wanna feel it? We just did it
You wanna hear it? We just did it
You wanna see it? We just did it
We just did it

“My Gosh”

For a change of pace within the album, “My Gosh” is the perfect track. It’s a masterfully executed classic Korean R&B genre song with guitar chords and NMIXX’s beautiful vocals to accompany it. That being said, K-R&B is quite uncommon in newer K-Pop groups therefore, it is nice to hear NMIXX do the genre justice.

It cannot be emphasized enough how outstanding NMIXX’s vocals are. Their different tones in vocals play off so well in an R&B song. Sullyoon’s honey voice, Bae’s deep tone and Lily’s powerful vocals make this song quite memorable. Jiwoo’s rap lines contrast nicely with the vocals and add a nice fun touch.

“HOME”

To end the album, “HOME” switches up the expectation of how the song should play out, given the name. Various K-Pop albums close off their albums with a sentimental track, and NMIXX have completely traversed the opposite route with “HOME.” But the true detail of this track is that it highlights the members returning home after a prolonged journey. And the said journey wasn’t easy, taking into consideration how the verses are gritty and the raps are delivered with intensity. The light at the end of the tunnel comes in the form of the melodic centerpiece to conclude. And here is where we wrap up our expedition with NMIXX.

expérgo

expérgo is a strong and cohesive album despite the variation in the songs. The album highlights the group’s strong vocals. Each of the songs on the album pairs well and expresses a separate side of NMIXX, which we have not seen before. A soothing R&B track, with a few playful expressive b-sides, and a title track with strong determination, expérgo radiates an aura that fits the group’s image.

Genius Rating: 4/5