Song Review: NMIXX Make A Comeback With "DASH", YENA (IZ*ONE) Comes Back With "Good Morning", TRIPLES ARIA Debuts With "Door" And AESPA Release "Regret of the Times"

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NMIXX - DASH 

Release Info & Mini Bio 

NMIXX, the six-member girl group under JYP Entertainment that debuted on February 22, 2022, made a comeback today on January 15, 2024 with their second EP album "Fe3O4: Break" and the song "Dash" as the album's title track. The album will contain seven tracks of which "Soñar (Breaker)" was pre-released on December 4, 2023. The physical release on a CD will come out in four versions, two photobook versions (Square One and Mixx Blood version), a Limited version and a Poster version. This album is the follow-up to the group's third single album "A Midsummer NMIXX’s Dream" that was released on July 11, 2023. 

Track List

  1. "Dash"
  2. "Soñar (Breaker)"
  3. "Run For Roses"
  4. "Boom"
  5. "Passionfruit"
  6. "XOXO"
  7. "Break The Wall" 

Review

"DASH"'s verses are engaging and the track dives further into funk rhythms, but the overall enjoyment of a music track depends on the chorus, and in this case the chorus is more irritating, with its excessive repetitiveness, than exciting. The bridge is definitely the most interesting and exciting part of the track, with the brief moment of distorted guitar being more refreshing than everything that preceded it. Unfortunately, this is not the song that would change anyone's opinion about the group. Their fans will love it but everyone else will just move on.


YENA  (최예나) - Good Morning 

Release Info & Mini Bio 

Yena, the soloist under Yue Hua Entertainment and former member of the project girl-group IZ*ONE, came back today with her third mini album "Good Morning" and the same-titled song as the album's title track. The album will contain 4 tracks and the physical release on a CD will come out in two versions:  Good Morning and Good Night version. This album is the follow-up to Yena's debut Japanese single "Smiley -Japanese ver.- (feat. Chanmina)" that was released on  August 7, 2023 and her second Korean single album "Hate XX" that was released on June 27, 2023. 

Track List 

  1. "Good Morning"
  2. "Good Girls in the Dark"
  3. "Damn U"
  4. "미운 오리 새끼" 

Review

"Good Morning" can be easily described as a more serious version of Yena's debut song "SMILEY", since it features the same energetic, mid-00spo, pop-rock sound. The call-and-response chorus is a standout moment, but may not be as melodically pleasing or catchy as the one in "SMILEY". Lyrically the song is focusing on finding strength to move on from adversity, but clashes with the hyper-happy mood. Apparently, the bubbly-punk aesthetic seems to fit Yena well, so she is sticking with it. 


tripleS (트리플에스) Aria - Door 

Release Info & Mini Bio 

tripleS Aria is the five-member seventh sub-unit of the girl-group tripleS consisting of members: Seo Dahyun (서다현), Nien (니엔),  Kim Chaeyeon (김채연), Lee Jiwoo (이지우) and Kaede (카에데. The sub-unit made its debut today on January 15, 2024 with their single album "Structure of Sadness" and the song "Door" as the album's title track. The album will contain two tracks and there won't be a physical release on a CD. 

Track List 

  1. "Door"
  2. "Farewell My First (첫 이별)" 

Review

"Door" is a mellow ballad, which is a popular choice for the winter season in Korea, and features an emotive chorus, a plaintive piano, and a filtered percussion at its core. The girls sound in good shape and capable to handle any musical challenge. However, the melodies are not strong or memorable enough. "Door" showcases the group's vocal potential but nothing more than that. The climactic high notes are stunning and definitely the highlight of the track, since the track lacks any catchy melodies.


aespa (에스파) - Regret of the Times (2024 aespa Remake Ver.) 

Release Info & Mini Bio 

AESPA, the four-member girl-group under SM Entertainment that debuted on November 17, 2020, released today on January 15, 2024 their seventh digital single "Regret of the Times". This song is  a remake of "Regret of the Times" by Seo Taiji and Boys from the 1995 full-length album Seo Taiji and Boys IV and the first SM STATION release for 2024. This single is the follow-up to the group's fourth mini album "Drama" that was released on November 10, 2023 although in the meantime they released a couple Christmas songs and remixes. 

Review

"Regret of the Times" is an ambitious remake of the 1995 alternative-rock classic in aespa's own glossier, more hip-hop influenced sound. This version exchanges the grunge-rock feel of the original with the modern mix-pop sound that is so prevalent in K-pop today. The most important is, this remake retains the song's powerful message, intense lyrics and overall feeling. The girls' vocals shine, especially in the bright, driving chorus, while bringing a brighter and lighter tone to it. 




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