A Reassessment of NMIXX’s Debut with O.O: A Critical Review of JYPE’s Direction
When NMIXX debuted with their single O.O, opinions were divided. My initial reaction was one of skepticism, to say the least. The lyrics and dance moves seemed a bit cringeworthy, and I found the overall execution, particularly Jinny's outfit, less than appealing. In short, my thoughts were not exactly positive. However, as with many things in life, an initial impression can evolve into something quite different as time passes.
Initial Impressions and Growth
Initially, I was with the majority who exclaimed, "What is this!!'” in a less than favorable manner. Lyrically, I found some lines and lines of the song a bit off-putting. Lines like "SHOOG SHOOG SHOOG" made me scratch my head in confusion. Similarly, I found Jinni's outfit and the dance moves in a few video clips unflattering. The song's flow felt like a Frankenstein creation, jarring and disjointed.
However, as I repeatedly listened to O.O, an interesting transformation occurred. Despite the cringeworthy elements, I began to appreciate the vocal and dance talents of the group, especially Lily. Her voice stood out as a compelling asset to the song. In the end, I even found myself purchasing the single on iTunes, a clear sign that the song grew on me. While it was still cringeworthy, the 'OFF' and 'ON' transitions in the song, perhaps inadvertently, managed to win me over.
Analysis of JYPE’s Direction
While NMIXX as a group is undeniably talented, the debut song O.O harms the overall impression due to problems with the song's structure and how it showcases the group's potential. JYPE, the entertainment label behind NMIXX, seems to have made a strategic misstep in aiming to mix different genres in their debut song. The group's vocal and dance abilities are impressive, but the attempt to blend different styles in O.O was not well-executed.
My initial reaction was to be disappointed when the group switched from the rap section to the vocal sections. JYPE introduced the group with their rap skills, but abruptly transitioning to full vocals with the "NMIXX" part was jarring and off-putting. The group's talent was showcased more effectively in the latter part of the song, but the sudden switch did not serve the group well. The abrupt transitions made the experience of listening to O.O feel disjointed and confusing.
I understand that labels like JYPE, SM, and YG have attempted similar genre blending with previous debut groups, but the results were not as successful as the debut of NMIXX. The group has the capability to handle different genres, but JYPE may have aimed for something that didn't quite fit together well in the context of a debut song.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The debut O.O has been a disappointment for me. Despite the talent on display, the genre mixing did not come together as intended. While I am excited to see what the group can offer in the future, the debut left me wanting. A better approach might have been to introduce the group with a different song separate from O.O, allowing the group to showcase their full range of talents.
Ultimately, NMIXX has the potential to be a successful group, but they need to be given a more polished debut to properly showcase their talents. The future holds lots of promise, but the debut of OO has set a challenging standard to live up to.