JYP Entertainment’s NMIXX has announced the release of their sixth EP Strange Muse, scheduled for October 19, 2026.

Instead of a teaser, the album was announced alongside its tracklist. Consisting of six songs, the tracklist immediately establishes a first for the girl group; alongside the title track “Birthday Wish” and B-sides “Kerosene” and “RudE TaLK,” the three remaining songs mark NMIXX’s first ever unit releases. “Sing to the Moon” will be performed by LILY and HAEWON, “Hot ‘n Unbothered” by SULLYOON and BAE, and “WHIP” by JIWOO and KYUJIN.

Notably, each of the unit songs also contain the members’ names within their songwriting credits. While NMIXX have previously contributed to their own songs on occasion – LILY, in particular, has contributed to a range of their recent B-sides including “LOUD,” “Reality Hurts” and “Crescendo” – it is not yet a regular practice for the group. Strange Muse outlines SULLYOON and JIWOO’s first official songwriting contributions as well as KYUJIN’s first credit in composition.

At this stage, with only a tracklist poster shared, little has been given away regarding the concept intended for Strange Muse besides the pale gray colouring that has enveloped NMIXX’s social media accounts. However, the typography used to unveil the album’s title contains an interesting detail; while “Strange M” is written in an elegant cursive font, “use” stands out in a plainer serif font. The album’s narrative may involve being “used” or “use” as a marker of worth in line with previous NMIXX songs that have centered on relationships and self-esteem.

As pre-orders are rolled out, one album inclusion suggests that the group’s consistent narratorial focus will remain at the forefront here. The ‘Saga Version’ of Strange Muse contains a short fiction novel titled ‘THE MIXXTOPIA SAGA’ and its cover depicts several images significant in NMIXX’s fantastical storyline, including their signature whale and the instruments of “Heavy Serenade.” Even the ‘MIXXTOPIA’ name itself is significant, positioning Strange Muse as the third segment of a saga previously established with Blue Valentine and Heavy Serenade.

This announcement follows a milestone moment for NMIXX. On Sunday, the sextet was awarded with ‘Sound of the Year’ for their title track “Blue Valentine” at the 2026 TMA / The Fact Music Awards – their first ever Daesang. A Daesang represents the highest possible level of achievement for a K-pop group at award shows; NMIXX receiving their first places them at the top of the industry in recognition of their commercial success and public impact. “Blue Valentine” topped the Bugs daily chart, the Circle Digital Chart, and Melon’s daily and weekly charts.

NMIXX will be hoping to capitalise on that achievement with the release of Strange Muse. Only five months on from the release of the fifth mini album Heavy Serenade in May, the October release of Strange Muse appears an intentionally swift development that aims to build on the group’s rising success in the mainstream.

NMIXX is scheduled to perform three encore shows at the Inspire Arena in Incheon in November, concluding the <EPISODE 1: ZERO FRONTIER> world tour. As their first world tour, its end marks the end of an era. Strange Muse, with its October release,will become a part of that closure.