[Album Review] Fe3O4: FORWARD (4th Mini Album) – NMIXX

Next up for an album review is NMIXX, who returned in March 2025 with their 4th mini-album, Fe3O4: FORWARD. Led by the single KNOW ABOUT YOU, it features a total of 6 songs. This comeback followed two other comebacks that formed part of their Fe3O4 series: Fe3O4: BREAK (led by the single DASH) and Fe3O4: STICK OUT (led by the single See That?, both of which were released in 2024.

This mini-album sees NMIXX explore the hip-hop genre in their own way, either by blending it with other genres in a very artistic way or by focusing on hip-hop-centric tracks. The pre-release track High Horse stands out as the strongest and most captivating on the entire mini-album, while the R&B and hip-hop blend title track KNOW ABOUT U was highly supported by you (the audience) in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards, taking out the Best R&B Song of 2025 award.

NMIXX followed up this mini-album with their first studio album and title track of the same name: Blue Valentine. I will definitely be reviewing that when the times come. With this studio album and title track, NMIXX also took out Best Pop Song and Best Album in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards. They also clinched the Rising Star of 2025 award. Read the rest of the album review below first, and then click here to find out who else came out on top in the other categories of the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED AWARDS.

1. High Horse (Pre-Release Track) – For those who missed it, High Horse was nominated for Best Rap or Hip-Hop Song in the 2025 KPOPREVIEWED Awards (I also considered High Horse for Best Pop Song, but their more recent Blue Valentine was already going to be nominated in that category). High Horse ended up as the Honourable Mention for Best Rap or Hip-Hop Song of 2025 (my code for second place). I was really blown away by how captivating the track was, especially as NMIXX’s vocals flourished. But it is the instrumental that captures my attention. It gives such a unique, different vibe compared to the abundance of music released around the same time. From the jazz-leaning piano to the bursts of breakbeat drumming that give off the hip-hop vibes that made it eligible for the Best Rap or Hip-Hop song, I have always enjoyed the track and will probably never get tired of it. (10/10)

2. KNOW ABOUT ME (Title Track) – Click here for my review of KNOW ABOUT ME. (8/10)

3. Slingshot (<★) – Edgy NMIXX is back with Slingshot. I liked how this vibe is very much felt through the really textured synth instrumental and their members’ delivery of the song. But there were also some really playful moments throughout the song, and this mix of vibes made Slingshot quite an appealing track in my books. (9/10)

4. Golden Recipe – In Golden Recipe, we hear the producers cook up a concoction of hip-hop beats and orchestral strings. While the combination has been done before, the result still felt quite unique. Despite that, I felt the balance was a tad off. The aforementioned beats and the members’ delivery (which I commend) make the hip-hop feel quite dominant, but I would have liked the orchestral strings to be a bit more dominant when they appeared in the song. This would have played into the track’s uniqueness a bit more and aligned with the other songs on the mini-album in that regard. (8/10)

5. Papillon – Papillon continues the hip-hop influence on the mini-album. The main difference I noticed from Papillon is that the members sound and feel bolder and more confident in their delivery. That doesn’t mean they weren’t bold or confident on the other tracks on the mini-album, but there is something in this track that makes it feel more upfront with the genre. It is probably the volume of their delivery. I also enjoyed the driving force of the instrumental, which features a great beat and synth choices. (8.5/10)

6. Ocean – NMIXX tones it down to help ease us (the listeners) out as the mini-album comes to its end. Ocean has a few characteristics of a ballad, including a vocal focus and a softer melody that provides a beautiful flow. But the instrumental feels more alternative pop, with added texture and an uptempo feel, which sets it apart from the balladry genre. Anyhow, those vocals, including the layering and harmonies, were amazing, and that melody feels very calming and soothing. The samples of ocean waves also enhance that calming, soothing effect. (8.5/10)