I Wanna Love You Loud: Everyone’s Talking About NMIXX’s New Queer Anthem
Written by Daphne Bryant
Queer yearning is unlike anything I’ve ever known, and“ LOUD” by NMIXX captures the feeling perfectly. If you’re unfamiliar with the name, NMIXX is a K-pop girl group that debuted in February of 2022. They have been described by critics as vocal powerhouses unparalleled within the hodgepodge of 4th gen groups, but are underrated due to their unique experimentation with pop genres and distinct sound. While I never stanned NMIXX, I am familiar with their Australian and South-Korean member Lily, who has gone TikTok viral on multiple occasions for making a combination of funny comments and profoundly philosophical statements. She’s a quintessential Gen Z idol who always says what’s on her mind, and she’s also an amazing singer and lyricist.
It is Lily who we can accredit with the genius that is“ LOUD.”“ LOUD” is the last track on NMIXX’s 2026 EP Heavy Serenade, and it’s all about the overwhelming desire to express love openly, rather than keeping it a secret. The lyrics convey the dichotomy of hiding a deep relationship while fighting the urge to proclaim it publicly.
Why do we have to hide it? Can’t act like I don’t like it
You know I’m a bad liar, our love should be
The brightest thing in the room, ooh
We’re the centerpiece in this room, oh
The moment I heard the song I fell in love with it. Combining richly layered vocal harmonies and a mix of DnB and Jersey club rhythms,“ LOUD” is not only beautifully composed and written, but it is a rare and genuine representation of queer love. Throughout the song members sing about being silenced, lingering gazes and acknowledge both gorgeous boys and girls (come on bisexuality)! This sort of candor is still somewhat rare in the K-pop industry, as homophobia pervades the culture and therefore, the music.
Despite being told to“ shh,” NMIXX feels they need a“ microphone and speaker” to scream their love out loud, and it’s a sweet but heartbreaking sentiment. In an interview with Forbes, Lily talks a little bit about her songwriting process and what she was aiming to do:“ [It is] sad that you have this love that’s so big and that you want to tell the whole world, but you can’t because of circumstances. It’s not just NMIXX that would relate to that feeling; there are lots of people in the world. I really hate that it’s a reality for so many people. I do hope the song can offer some respite to people going through anything like that. It’s just a celebration of all kinds of love.” All kinds of love is right! The interviewer, Laura Sirikul, openly speaks on how much this song will mean to the queer community, and compares“ LOUD” to Little Mix’s“ Secret Love Song Pt. 2” (which if you don’t know, also became a queer anthem). When Lily admitted to being inspired by Little Mix while writing, I knew that in of itself was a confession.
In response, fans have taken to social media and are posting edits of Lily with Haewon, fellow NMIXX member (who she has been shipped with mercilessly), as well as other K-pop idols with queer dating rumors and general queer media. While some of the edits themselves border on the line of parasocial, I think it’s beautiful that there are more and more K-pop songs coming out that approach queerness with sincerity, with authenticity. Here’s to a very queer NMIXX summer!
