NEXZ is simmering with their upcoming comeback

I keep putting off making another post to do other things, but I refuse to let this go again like this. So instead I'm taking the "L" and just being super late in talking about things. Starting with the upcoming comeback for NEXZ, a mini album titled O-RLY?

The group has release a pre-release music video of the song, Simmer. Personally I love it, but I am one of those K-pop fans that likes what others consider to be "noise music", which I would say the song falls into.

If anything the music video is getting me slowly used to to So Gon's blond hair. It still shocks me to see every time. Though from the album previews that are out we will be getting the entire group as blonds, and So Gon gets super long hair. 

There is also a music video teaser of the main track of the release, Slo-mo, that just came out today.

The thing that stands out the most about the music video from what we can see is that it looks like a sequel of sorts to Starlight, with the same aesthetic, as well as the same setting for part of it. Starlight felt like it was a start to some lore for the group but has not been touched on again until now, so I'm interested to see if it gets more established. Especially as it would be a good way to make the group stand out.

So far I have loved everything NEXZ has put out and hope that with every release they get noticed more, as they're such a fun group to watch their variety content, not to mention very hard working and talented.

Ae! Group is set to release their third single, Chameleon on June 18th, 2025. And they are not going to go easy on fan wallets with four different versions to get between the three limited editions and a regular edition.  

Chameleon [w/ Regular Bonus] [w/ Blu-ray, Limited Edition / Type A]

Ae! group

The first limited edition, or Type A, is the most standard with it coming with the CD and either a BD or a DVD. The CD will have the two tracks all the versions will have, the title track Chameleon and the B-side Destiny. There will be a third track but the title of that song has yet to be announced. On the BD/DVD it will have the music video for Chameleon as well as the making of video for the music video.

Chameleon [w/ Regular Bonus] [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type B]

Ae! group

The Type B limited edition is very similar to Type A, but the BD/DVD content will be the music video and making of for the B-side Destiny. Like the rest the CD has the two tracks as well as a third track that still has not had its name revealed yet. 

Chameleon [w/ Regular Bonus] [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type C]

Ae! group

Then the Type C limited edition breaks from the mold a little. The CD is the same situation as the other two limited editions. But the BD/DVD content is something different. The BD/DVD will have select live performances from their tour LIVE TOUR 2025 D.N.A. at Yokohama Arena, as well as making of footage for the jacket photo shoot for the single.

Chameleon [w/ Regular Bonus] [Regular Edition]

Ae! group

And finally there is the regular edition of the single. It will just have the CD with the same set up of having the same two tracks as the rest but also set to have its own B-side different than the rest.

There is an early pre-order bonus if you pre-order before April 13th. It will be a full set of five trading cards of all the members. If you pre-order after that you will get a regular bonus, which has yet to be announced what those will be, though going off the usual Starto releases it will most likely be things like clear files. 

 

I've been slowly getting into Ae! Group since I've been focusing more on Starto again. They have the kind of music I love so it's really just getting to know the members better at this point. But every new release gets excited for new music from them. Though I really wish Universal Music Japan did not make it so you have to get every edition just to get every B-side. I do struggle with that, but someday I will have it all. And I do appreciate that they release a good amount of live footage with releases, as live performances is really where Starto idols shine. 

NiziU fixing up the Love Line

Playing the game of catch up for news and new releases and of course I need to start off with my current favorite girl group, NiziU. They just released their first Korean comeback and 2nd Korean single on March 31st, LOVE LINE.

The music video is another fun and cute watch like Heartris was. Though it does make me wonder why we were getting the more dark and mysterious promo videos for this release when the single leans more to NiziU's cute and cool side. But overall LOVE LINE works well as the successor of Heartris. 

I found myself enjoying the B-side for the single, What if, more, as it gives us something a bit different than what NiziU has released so far. It has an anisong sound to it, but as NiziU is solidly in the pop genre for their music it fits, and does pair well with what they have released for their small but growing Korean discography. 

Of course the most exciting thing for me as a long time WithU is to see them get full promotions in Korea for this release. Press Play just looked like the group was tipping their toes into Korean promotions with limited appearances on programs and a handful of dance challenges. This time around they are everywhere and I am living for it. And I hope this really lets them make a mark in the K-pop world so more international fans start paying them attention. And then perhaps one day my dream of seeing them in concert in the US will not remain a dream.