Following her debut solo EP, ‘IM NAYEON’, released two years ago, TWICE star Nayeon is back with her highly anticipated second solo EP, ‘NA’. If you’re craving fresh new K-pop music, this is the perfect pick: featuring seven new tracks, ‘NA’ showcases a more mature sound, moving beyond the cheery pop style of ‘IM NAYEON’ while still retaining the classic Nayeon flair we all know and love.
JYP Entertainment
“ABCD“
Nayeon starts the album off strong with “ABCD”, a track that’s already dominated our TikTok FYPs in the same way that “POP!” took over the world with Nayeon’s playful choreography and guest celebrity dancers. With an irresistibly catchy chorus, driving percussion, and vibrant trumpet lines, “ABCD” is reminiscent of songs like Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love”. It’s also no wonder the production stands out, considering the track was produced by BigHit legends Pdogg, GHSTLOOP, and Evan, alongside producer Aron Wyme.
Nayeon also released a music video for “ABCD”, where she switches between black-and-white, old-timey scenes and modern, colorful ones, with everyone she walks past in awe of her. The video features numerous outfit changes and even a dance break, where she performs on a rooftop wearing Timberland boots and iconic Louis Vuitton kneepads. One thing about Nayeon is that her choreo NEVER misses, and this music video is no exception!
Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
Track 2: “Butterflies“
The second track, “Butterflies,” stands out with its twinkling trap-pop production, perfectly complementing Nayeon’s vocals. Lyrically, the song captures the exhilarating feeling of new love, with Nayeon singing about the thrill of staying up all night and feeling the magical, fluttering sensation of butterflies.
Track 3: “Heaven (Feat. Sam Kim)“
“Heaven” features Sam Kim, an artist from Antenna Music, whose soulful vocals complement Nayeon’s in a slower tempo duet. The lyrics of “Heaven” carry a more mature tone with all English verses– expressing desire and longing, Nayeon sings candidly about wanting exclusivity (“I want you all to myself”) and the intoxicating feeling of being with someone special (“It’s been too long since I had someone feel like heaven”). This collab is truly a match made in heaven!
Track 4: “Magic” (Feat. JULIE of KISS OF LIFE)
“Magic”, featuring JULIE from girl group KISS OF LIFE, captivates listeners from the get-go with its flute intro and bouncy production, crafted by producer superteam Daniel Obi Klein and Charli Taft– you might know them for their work with LOONA. If you’re a fan of “Levitating” by Dua Lipa, “Magic” might become your favorite on ‘NA’! Nayeon sings about being able to make someone feel like magic, and JULIE also stands out on the bridge of the track with a spirited call to “dance just a little bit” and “go out for the thrill of it”.
Track 5: “HALLIGALLI” (Prod. by LEE CHANHYUK of AKMU)
Endearingly named after the Korean board game where players match various fruits together, “HALLIGALLI” is a fun pop song produced by Lee Chanhyuk of AKMU, featuring mainly Korean lyrics. The lyrics cleverly parallel the unpredictability of the game with the dynamics of love, with lines like “Love is a HalliGalli bell / The flickering glances, the hesitant motions” and “I’ve been playing this game for a long time / Preparing to win today”. It seems like Nayeon’s got a competitive streak!
Track 6: “Something”
As we approach the end of the album, the song “Something” opens with Nayeon giggling over a strumming guitar that leads into a garage beat produced by prominent K-pop producer Sam Klempner, known for his previous work with groups like Aespa and BTS. Nayeon’s vocals blend perfectly with the garage sound, leading into an addictive post-chorus: “Mm, baby, don’t mess it up / Whatever you say, don’t mess it up”. Lines like “Give me something, something different” and “Prove that you’re so worth it” highlight Nayeon’s insistence on finding someone who can prove themselves and offer more than the ordinary. Many K-pop acts, including LESSERAFIM and NewJeans, have been leaning into garage and D&B genres lately– we love to see Nayeon having some fun with it too!
Track 7: “Count It“
Getting into the last (and our personal favorite) track on the album: “Count It”. Nayeon slows it down on this R&B track, singing about how deeply she feels for someone and capturing the sweetness of the new love she’s found. The lyrics match the slower tempo of the song, with Nayeon asking her lover to “Count it, one, two, three, tell me, babe, everything about you, from start to finish,” expressing her desire for complete connection with the person in question. The track was also produced by Theo and the Climb, who has previously worked with Enhypen, bringing a refined touch to the album’s close. “Count It” is the kind of sound we were waiting to hear from Nayeon, and she delivered!
We love that Nayeon is leaning into more mature lyrics and a modern R&B/dance pop sound! This evolution in her music style suits her incredibly well, showcasing her versatility and growth as a solo artist outside of TWICE. Each track on ‘NA’ offers something unique, from playful pop vibes in the beginning to the deeper, more introspective moments towards the end. We’ll have ‘NA’ on repeat for the rest of the summer!
Did you love ‘NA’ as much as we did? Let us know on Instagram and Twitter!
You can stream ‘NA’ on Spotify and Apple Music!
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Featured Image Credit: JYP Entertainment
