Girl group NMIXX is returning with a new EP steeped in romance at 6 p.m. on Monday, as it looks to build on the breakout success of last year’s chart-topping “Blue Valentine,” according to its agency JYP Entertainment.

The upcoming EP, titled “Heavy Serenade,” comes about seven months after the October 2025 release of the group’s first full-length album, “Blue Valentine.”


“Heavy Serenade” follows what members described as a career-defining period for them, as “Blue Valentine” topped Melon’s Top 100 and daily, weekly and monthly charts and swept 10 music show trophies, marking the group’s strongest commercial performance since its debut.

According to the members, this success partially drove their upcoming release.

“‘Blue Valentine’ received more love than we ever expected, so I felt excited while preparing for this comeback,” said member Kyujin. “We worked really hard to show how much we’ve grown and tried to capture an even broader musical spectrum for NMIXX in this album.”

The six-track EP is led by the title song “Heavy Serenade,” which the group described as a declaration of “deep, unwavering love,” followed by “Crescendo,” “IDESERVEIT,” “Different Girl,” “Superior” and “LOUD.”

Singer-songwriter Hanroro wrote the lyrics of the title song, and member Lily wrote “LOUD” on her own, according to JYP Entertainment.

The agency added that “Heavy Serenade” marks a continuation of the group’s signature blending of electronic genres, such as trance and acid sounds, with polished pop arrangements.

Lily characterized the album as tracing “the process of love” through its track list, with the title song centering on “love so intense that it feels heavy.”

“People can think of the word ‘heavy’ as negative, but we wanted to express how important and uncontrollable love can become when it is truly deep,” she said. “When I first heard ‘Heavy Serenade,’ the melody felt beautiful, almost like flowers blooming as the song unfolded.”

Member Haewon said that the group sought to deliver a more emotionally grounded message through the song.

“Through Heavy Serenade, we’re singing about love carried by a heart that feels heavy and unwavering,” she said. “I think it’s special because it’s filled with confidence in the love we want to sing about.”

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]