Nmixx debuted in 2022, as one of JYP Entertainment’s newest groups. JYP has risen to be a prominent agency through consistently strong debut songs. Especially their girl group debuts, like Twice’s Like Ooh Ahh, and Itzy’s Dalla Dalla. But in an attempt to pioneer a new genre of K-pop, JYP reached too high for the sky with Nmixx’s debut, breaking their streak of iconic debuts.
Nmixx’s debut song, “O.O,” is bright in its ability to highlight every member’s strongest assets, yet bleak in being able to create a cohesive and memorable song for the group. “O.O” can be best described as a group project, one where no one could decide on a topic. With such a messy debut, it begs the question, what went wrong?
Nmixx would be the latest to hop on the trendy train of drastic genre changes in K-pop.
SM Entertainment would venture into this genre years before JYP. “O.O”is reminiscent of SNSD’s(also known as Girls’ Generation) I Got A Boy, and Aespa‘s Next Level. Despite an initial mixed reaction, both songs have proven to be iconic and memorable standouts within both group’s discography. “O.O” tries to replicate its predecessor’s success, switching from a bombastic electropop first half, to a hip-hop middle, and an electropop conclusion. Yet despite Nmixx’s strong efforts to deliver and sell, it fails to transition smoothly. “O.O” yanks the covers from over you, leaving you cold and shocked.
“O.O” starts with a strong and edgy instrumental, coupled with flashy choreography in the music video. It’s strong and chanty, almost punk rock. By the time a listener adjusts to the brashness of “O.O,” the song does a complete 180. A jarring 180.
From punk rock leather, to pop bright cotton candy dresses, the transition comes out of nowhere. It’s a change so drastic, it makes listeners question whether they’re even listening to the same song. With both parts of Nmixx’s “O.O” being too drastically different from each other, they would work considerably better as two, stand-alone tracks.
Nmixx’s vocals and rap are outstanding, the technical choreography proves all the members to be very capable idols. “O.O” as a song, however, doesn’t do justice to the members of Nmixx. If you want to listen to a more cohesive song by them, B-Side Tank fares much better.
