Mini-albums typically have little running time to leave a lasting impression. However, my picks for this year’s mini-albums manage to make an impact by pushing boundaries and establishing groups’ musical identities. These mini-albums also work best when listening from start to finish, which distinguish them from other favorites, like Ten’s Stunner or Le Sserafim’s Hot, where I repeated specific tracks (particularly “Stunner” and “Ash,” respectively).
It was easy for me to select my number one choice. Over the past two years, NMixx has had a generational run of great albums that solidify their style of skilled vocals and sophisticated genre mixing. While their full album Blue Valentine ended up as an honorable mention for my Best Albums list, their EP Fe304: Forward has been pretty much locked as my top mini-album since its March release.
Like other NMixx albums, the eclectic Fe304: Forward displays how the group is adept at any genre, from the jazzy trip-hop pre-release “High Horse” to the contemporary R&B title track “Know About Me” to the emotional ballad “Ocean.” Largely forgoing the drastic switch-ups that defined their earlier work, however, this EP opts for complex production. Regardless of genre, the album’s soundscapes feel expansive and oceanic, bringing some cohesion in its texture.
While Fe304: Forward is an experimental release, one in which its thematic focus on momentum and growth drives its musical choices. The changing tempos and pitch bends of “Slingshot” mimic the pullback and velocity of a slingshot. “Papillon” begins with a dense wall of synths, representing the cocoon a butterfly emerges from. As the track progresses, it portrays metamorphosis through its vocals, audio panning effects, and fast-paced rap section. The complexity and vulnerability of “Papillon,” along with other highlights “High Horse” and “Ocean,” leave an emotional impact. That combination makes the album this year’s best.
A number of newcomers also released mini-albums that introduce a distinct musical identity. In particular, Rescene’s dreamy, nostalgic Glow Up and Close Your Eyes’ self-titled debut EP both were in heavy rotation throughout the year. For this list, though, I want to discuss a group Seoulbeats hasn’t covered before: Mystic Story’s boy group ARrC, with their sophomore EP Nu Kidz: Out the Box.
ARrC differentiate themselves from other boy groups with an innovative fusion of hip hop, R&B, EDM, and jazz. The first few tracks particularly play with dissonant arrangements, yet still feel coherent with their clean production. The groovy and energetic title track “Nu Kidz” includes syncopated percussion and bass. “Loop.dll”, their most experimental track, is the album’s highlight. It follows a conventional song structure, but switches up the beats and textures. The second verse, for instance, includes jazzy chord progressions and scat-like adlibs behind the rap-singing. “Loop.dll” feels unpredictable in the best way.
Nu Kidz: Out the Box is arranged so that the tracks flow even though they switch genres. The second half of the EP leans more into smooth R&B, with sleek sliding vocals in “Accident at the Studio” and layering of the members’ warm tones in “Alien in Seoul.” While “Alien in Seoul” and closing track “Connected” feel more conventional than the other songs, they help showcase ARrC’s vocal and rap abilities. As a whole, the EP displays the group’s range while providing a cohesive listening experience.
I wasn’t very familiar with ARrC until I caught up with some of this year’s releases to determine my list. It’s exciting to discover a new group who sound fresh, but still accessible.
NMixx and ARrC explore different genres, but my third choice commits to one set of influences: hyperpop and electric house. There were several strong hyperpop-influenced releases this year. Yves honed her distinct sound with Soft Error, while Itzy dropped the wildest B-side of the year with “8-Bit Heart”. Indie artists like Effie and The Deep also drew my attention. However, JustB make my list for reinventing their whole musical identity with Snow Angel.
In Snow Angel, the group builds on the shift to hyperpop they started with their earlier EP Just Odd, and perfects their brand of densely textured electronic production with infectious melodies. The EP runs a mere 14 minutes, but leaves an impression with its run of six high-energy bangers. The beats accelerate within the first verse of album opener “Sweater” and the album maintains momentum through its end (with none of the ballads that seem to close most K-pop albums). Snow Angel’s uncompromising maximalism makes it distinct and exciting.
The EP focuses on love, with its relentless pace replicating the feeling of a relationship that runs hard and fast. However, each song explores different emotions, from regret in “Sweater” to infatuation in the closing track “BHYT (Baby Hold You Tight)”. The instrumentals underscore the relationship dynamics depicted in the album. The propulsive beats of title track “True Heart,” for example, perfectly match the refrain “keep my lover all night.” The distorted synths in “Snow Angel” reflect the chaos of a lover who runs both hot and cold. While the production places filters and effects on the members’ vocals, confusion and yearning still shines through in songs like “Freedom” and “Going South.” Snow Angel’s musical choices are fun, purposeful, and innovative, which is why I had to include it on my list.
Whether exploring diverse genres or experimenting with textures in their production, this year’s most interesting mini-albums bring something new to the K-pop scene. I look forward to what these groups will do in 2026.
