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Before I launch into reviews this week (which I am hoping to do so tomorrow), here is another album review. The album in question is NMIXX’s 2nd mini-album, Fe3O4: Break, which was released in January of this year. It features the title track DASH, the pre-release single Soñar (Breaker) and 5 additional side tracks. Links and thoughts on each song below! And as you read through my thoughts on the song, you will find that I am quite impressed with this mini-album release. Three out of 7 songs on the mini-album are very good, highlighting NMIXX’s growth and variety within and outside the realm of MIXX Pop that they have embodied in their previous works. Fe3O4: Break follows on from NMIXX’s Summer 2023 comeback with A Midsummer NMIXX’s Dream, which featured Party O’Clock and Roller Coaster (which I have yet to review).
1. DASH (Title Track) – Click here for the full review for DASH. (8/10) 
2. Soñar (Breaker) (Pre-Release Track) – Multiple listens since the release of Soñar (Breaker) in December last year has helped grow on me, and I am satisfied enough with the track now to bump it up an additional point in the song department. The biggest part that grew on me is the second half of the bridge, which I had mentioned in my original review as being cringy. That is not what I think of that sequence anymore. Click here for my original review for Soñar (Breaker). (7/10)
3. Run For Roses – It appears JYP Entertainment recognises the potential behind Run For Roses, selecting it for a performance video (see below). Run For Roses is undoubtedly a song that stands out, thanks to the country twang that the instrumental has. If you want a unique rock song in KPOP, Run For Roses is definitely one to check out. I also enjoyed the shouty delivery that pairs with the country twang in the pre-choruses. In addition to the unique musical influence, the choruses of Run For Roses also stand out for its melodies and hooks. They make the song quite catchy and memorable. And of course, the vocals that deliver these, particularly Lily’s, aid in making Run For Roses a very strong side track. (10/10)
4. Boom – Boom is an industrial hip-hop dance track that hits hard. NMIXX does not mess around in Boom, delivering some of the most memorable hooks on this mini-album (i.e., the ‘Tick Tick Tick Boom’). I also really like the intensity that the song builds within it, making Boom into a thrilling track. Despite being such a punchy track already, this doesn’t excuse it from NMIXX’s MIXX pop fusion style. We get some pop influences in the chorus, and the ending turns it into a hyper pop dance track but hastening the tempo. No complaints from me, however, as changed trajectory of Boom complements the intensity and thrills of the track. (10/10)
5. Passionfruit – In an interesting direction, NMIXX goes down a cutesy direction with Passionfruit. But they execute the track in a manner that suits them, and I just like how they keep true to themselves in that sense. The track is a Jersey Club pop dance track, with a bouncy instrumental that brings out a very bright energy to the song. The vocals and melodies in the choruses were extremely comforting and light to listen to. But the winning delivery was surprisingly the rapping, which I thought NMIXX nailed perfectly in Passionfruit. (9/10)
6. XOXO – Taking on a more laidback vibe is XOXO. It does so with a groovy R&B instrumentation, with softer vocals that again sound very comforting to me. I also like how the melodies and hooks are very simple and easy on the ears. The biggest issue I have with XOXO is the processing on the vocals. Some of it complements XOXO quite well, but other parts had it too thick. (8/10)
7. Break The Wall – Closing out the mini-album is Break The Wall. It is a pop anthem that had me lip-syncing along in an embarrassing short period of time. I really like the energy that Break The Wall features, thanks to the fast-pace synths and chanty chorus. The synth work in the verses feels very nostalgic, and the vocals elsewhere in the song holds a lot of promises. The rapping was the only weak point. If it had been more robust, we would have a perfect track. (9.5/10)
Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10
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