Song Review: NEXZ – Beat-Boxer

Though JYP Entertainment’s output had a rough start this year, the agency has been unfurling hit after hit over the past few months. They’re set to finish 2025 strong and that extends to global (but mostly K-pop so far) group NEXZ. I haven’t been a fan of most of their music and new single Beat-Boxer still doesn’t wow me, but it feels like we’re slowly moving in the right direction.

There’s still plenty of shout-singing happening here, as Beat-Boxer‘s verses are loud and proud without really amounting to much. But as we swerve into the chorus, the song begins to tentatively embrace melody. It’s shouty melody, yes, but the vocal layering here isn’t completely removed from what we used to hear from groups like SHINee and EXO. The second half of this refrain is especially promising, delivering a more robust sound that works as the song’s centerpiece.

When it comes down to it, I wish Beat-Boxer was a bit more focused. The overall sound is very busy, which adds energy at the expense of a satisfying throughline. There are plenty of interesting things happening in the production (especially the percussion) and these elements need more space to breathe. Like so many recent K-pop songs, the arrangement becomes like a blender, with every sound being shredded into the same generic mush. Beat-Boxer could easily become a great funk workout if given a more lithe, intoxicating groove, but even in its current form I find it more enjoyable than most of the group’s recent work.

Grade: B-