S.O.N.G M.I.N.G.I.

Gonna know it’s over-when 6:58am hits. Why? Mr. Fix On himself is dropping a project! Well…kinda. FIX OFF is dropping this time. The FIX family is fire.

It was announced yesterday on the ATEEZ platforms-which if you’re not subscribed to their channels…what are you doing? I know I am slacking on the reviews…I’ll be done with them…soon. As for this project it is called from the video title: [FIX OFF] Desire Project #1 ‘Tunnel’. I truly cannot wait. There is so much new music out right now. I honestly can’t keep up. Not only this, but award season, tours, and so much more is going on.

We got Mingi‘s release ‘무제‘ 5 months ago and a few solo rap songs and verses. As well as getting sneak peaks of the other versions of his verses in songs. It has been very exciting to watch, and I can’t wait for more. ATEEZ is such a fun group to watch. Even watching the recent tour, I have been drawn in completely. I definitely have an article on that, but it’s in the drafts right now (like the album)…sorry. You can’t rush these kinds of things, they take time. Speaking of time…

Now with only 3 hours away, the curiosity is intense. I just have so many questions. Why are we fixing off? Is there time to “Fix On”? Where is this tunnel? Is that why we’re fixing off? What is going on? Is this going to be a series of projects? Will everyone get a concept? Why is it called “Desire”? Will I be the same after this? ATINY are y’all okay? It’s been busy this year so far and it just started. With ATEEZ spoiling us (and teasing us with not showing the tour dates!), we can only wonder “What’s in store for us now?”

We will soon know…as for now…I will be waiting! 😉

Review/Analysis

I’m back, a long time later, but I can comfortably say that I thoroughly listened to the song.

Visually, the music video looked great. It had this edgy feel that really is a contrast to the lyrics but fit well for the instrumental. Many of the scenes were empty which also fit the lyrics (minus the band in one scene).

This song is a soft rock song with both rap and vocal elements in it. Instrumentally, I hear guitar and drums the most (as well as some kind of keys and presets). And they do a good job of expressing each point of the song. From mellow to building up for the intensity, to going back mellow again.

Going back to his vocals you hear a lot of layering there. There’s the lower melodies and you get higher melodies as well. It’s interesting to see his range here.

The lyrics tackle more questions of that we think of in our existence. This one is more about a void, time, and the memories. Mingi is really good at encapsulating these emotions and translating them into lyrics. Personally, I find it a lingering charming point of him.

There was a contrast in his lyrics as well. Like some things weren’t as descriptive as the rest. For example, some of the lines are more descriptive like photos and letters. Other ones are more figurative like pieces of your heart going in the wind, having a dream or being a void. This contrast created a nice atmosphere for the emotions of the song to reside in. It’s something poetic about being able to express his emotions in this manner, that makes my heart flutter as a creative.

His layering of the harmonies was perfect, but they blended into the song so well, I didn’t really notice some of them. Making it fun to discover. I actually didn’t notice them until he sang the song on live. Now listening with headphones, I can hear them better. However, I just want to mention, the fact that they are embedded the way they are, it makes the song even more mellow.

The instrumental of this song feels more motivating than empty. I think that when it loops or has similar patterns you can interpret it like the emotions portrayed in the song. Personally, I wouldn’t listen to it on its own as I think the vocals occupying the lyrics are the star of the song. Another thing I wondered was if the beginning guitar is the same as the rest as I tried recreating, and it feels like it could be acoustic and then electric. But I’m not well versed in instruments. But when recreating, it’s so fun to listen to every element on its own.

On his live (and on fan calls), he did mention that this FIX OFF project will have more songs on it and will be different genres. I am looking forward to hearing more from him. UPDATE: FIX OFF Desire Project #2 titled AUTOBAHN ft. Yunmin will come out March 15, 2025.

The way he looks like when singing, it looks like he really enjoys it and that makes it even more worth listening to it. When the artist is proud of their art, it makes me want to support it more. So, as Mingi said (jokingly) stream it 10x a day!

But with all seriousness, I think it is worth the stream. And send some love Mingi’s way. It’s not always easy expressing these feelings, let alone deal with them outside the recording studio.

I really hope that things get easier for anyone struggling with these kinds of themes/questions. You are precious and your life is worth it. You deserve happiness. Remember with time things get easier, it might take a while, but it gets easier. Sending virtual hugs. Do something you love today!

Now Mingi has the FIX OFF Desire Project 1 on streaming! So, stream, stream, stream!!! I cannot wait because I have been listening to it on the music videos which I will still do, but now I can stream both!

-Written & illustrated by A.P.