New JYP global boy group NEXZ debuted last year but hasn’t yet captured my attention with their music. This is despite watching and enjoying season two of the Nizi Project where the group was formed. Like fellow rookies KickFlip, it feels like JYP has saddled them with lesser material that regurgitates music from the agency’s past. NEXZ have a new album on the horizon, preceded by Simmer. And yet again, I’m struck by this same feeling.
The mood board this time flashes “Stray Kids with a side of NCT.” Simmer‘s instrumental lurches with a combination of squelchy bass and pots-and-pans percussion, incorporating a maelstrom of irritating samples that only clutter the mix. A repeated telephone motif is especially annoying. This approach might have worked if the producers had doubled the tempo, but the production’s leisurely pace feels oddly inert. It’s not fast enough to dance to but not engaging enough to enjoy on its own.
Simmer‘s performance is equally frustrating. Between sing-song melodic scraps and lackadaisical rap, the track plunges into a dull, repetitive hook that feels more like an incantation than a compelling centerpiece. I enjoy the momentum during the pre-choruses where the flow switches up and gains focus, but these are brief moments of fun within a very tiresome song. And like all of NEXZ’s music so far, my central issue remains: Simmer sounds like a retread rather than a convincing attempt to develop their own style.
| Hooks | 6 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 6.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
My entire reaction throughout the track can only be described as a (ಠ_ಠ) and this is coming from someone who had NCT being a massive musical influence throughout the first half of her teenage years.
The production is just an ugly mess of clunky percussion, telephone ringing sounds and a bunch of other noisy, clattering stuff. I’d appreciate noise music, but for that, you need MELODY which NCT managed to incorporate well. The “simmer~” also grinds my gears a lot, and idk if it’s because of how it is mixed, but yeah, enough to annoy the living shit out of me. The pre-chorus is the only good part of the song when things are more fun, dynamic and not as plodding as the rest of the track.
5.75 (6, 5, 6, 6) for me.
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If you are going to go NCT – Stray Kids circa 2018 or so, at least go peak sound. Kenzie used to throw in something to tickle our ears to make the most outre NCT song not just bonkers but bonkers good.
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I mean, I neeeeeeed an angsty loud song right now, because this living in interesting times is getting too interesting, and kpop is just not delivering. Avi Kaplan deep didgeridoo ooooom “Peace Somehow” is only half doing it. Though Dragon Pony lead vocal guy is more awesome with each listen, just not cathartic enough. Do I have to dig out old 80’s Metallica BAMA BAMA BAMBAM cannot stop the battery!
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I think you people might need some Initial D music
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGdEbnOoiEOOaFFYKh3A66wOUlrHUwzTs&feature=shared
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EUROBEAT MENTIONED
NIGHT OF FAIYAAAAHH, KONO KIMOCHI NI MASARUMONO NANTE NAI KEDO
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night of fire you better better stay you better begin the prayer to play
ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ
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I gave it a try. I made it it through one and a half of the list. At my age, I consider that a success!
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Considering that this was recommended to me by a teenager, indeed it’s a success😅, I only sometimes listen to game OSTs while I work to get some energy lol. As for something that is kinda my taste and that I’ve been listening to lately is this k-band “The Electriceels”, particularly the album The Best Love Affair. It’s pretty mellow rock actually, I have no idea how well known this band is, just stumbled upon them, and they’re a bit older as well, but for anyone looking for new stuff, give it a try!
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At this point, this emoji 😒 sums up 2025 k-pop
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I’d go with 😬 lately. Or maybe, 🥴
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These boys showed so much potential to be fun on Nizi Project 2 and now they’re stuck in big, ugly clothes talk-rapping over a nothingburger? Is the brief just: Stray Kids, but in Japan, but also in Korea?
Waiting for JYP to write them a straightforward pop song.
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This song made me upset, like what was this? I actually liked Ride the Vibe but their output since has been lackluster.
They are extremely engaging performers and amazing dancers, I just wish they would get some decent music. This was not it…and yes, Stray Kids meets NCT was all I thought about the whole way through. Ugh..hopefully the title track will be better.
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As soon as I saw your reaction to the teaser, I thought, “Is this another shouty boy group song?” Yep, it’s another shouty boy group song.
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The supply seems to be endless.
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Am I the only one that actually likes this song???? I mean I’m a Stay so I’m used to louder music I guess? I mean this song isn’t AMAZING but it’s not bad in my opinion either. I just wish they would explore their own style more because these songs kinda just seem like typical boy group songs and they’re not really exploring their own style. I mean I don’t hate it though. Nexz have so much talent and they’re amazing so I think if they make their own sound they’ll be ten times more succesful. Reply if you think HARD is amazing 🙂
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the song is good though ( probably because I am a stay too and used to such sound? ) but still the song was indeed good
The rap the dance everything was on point instrumental were good too idk what seems to be the problem here probably taste? Since everyone has different tastes
ohhh and Hard was super great super duper great I am loving nexz songs
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Yesssss nexz’s songs are really good in my opinion AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT THEIR HAIR CHANGES???? Short, black hair Haru, Oreo short-hair Yu, light brown Yuki, and blonde So Geon??????? THEY LOOK SO GOOOOOOD
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my boys looks sauuurrr good 🥹
haru looks extra fine with short hair
super excited for their comeback
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The bridge part gave me hope how good this song would be without that annoying simmer chorus
7,7,7,8
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My cat was cuddling on my lap and ran away as soon as this started so yeah, it’s not getting any replays in my house.
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I think so far people have different personality and taste once to comes to music but in my opinion SIMMER hit a whole different level, I was really amazing, to the sound, the rap and the dance choreography 💯💥
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Whatcha guys whinging about? I’ll take it AND the telephone motif. This is totally up my alley. Maybe not an A+ but I’m happy to listen to it.
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