No Genre (EP)
No Genre is the fourth extended play by South Korean boy band BoyNextDoor, released on May 13, 2025, through KOZ Entertainment. Titled with an assertion of the band's approach to music, the EP seeks to embrace the band's creative freedom and artistry.
No Genre was produced by perennial collaborators Pop Time, Kako, and Zico, with active contributions from members Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak. With the goal of the band's versatility, the EP was conceptualized as an exploration of several genres, including tracks with influences of city pop, pop-soul, funk, and hip-hop. The tracks also paid homage to past musical acts and emphasized emotional storytelling.
No Genre was preceded by the digital single "If I Say, I Love You", which was included in the track list for the EP. "I Feel Good" was released as the primary single.
Background
BoyNextDoor released their third extended play, 19.99, in September 2024, which focused on self-expression and introspection, drawing from the group's experiences in their transition to adulthood. In support of 19.99 and its preceding releases, the band embarked on their first headlining concert tour, the Knock On Vol.1 Tour. While on tour, the band released the digital single, "If I Say, I Love You", to lukewarm critical reception.Music and lyrics
No Genre consists of seven tracks with a runtime of 17 minutes and 28 seconds. The EP's title seeks to reflect the band's creative freedom and resolute artistry, asserting an uncompromising approach to their work. Members Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak contributed to the development of each track, with Woonhak participating in the production of all seven tracks.Member Taesan billed the No Genre as a statement of the band's versatility for its exploration of several genres. The EP's tracks emphasized storytelling with emotional depth while paying homage to musical legacies that influenced the group.
Songs
The opening track, "123-78", is a love song with influences of the pop-soul stylings of the 1960s. The primary single "I Feel Good" expresses themes of carefree confidence with influences of hip-hop and funk. "Step by Step" is a city pop song with layered synth melodies. The following track, "Is That True?", is characterized by a bouncy beat with a funk-influenced rhythm. "Next Mistake" carries melancholic themes with subtle funk influences. The penultimate track, "If I Say, I Love You", is an upbeat dance-pop song that explores the emotion of "patheticness" as it reflects on the aftermath of a breakup in a self-deprecating light from the perspective of the "younger generation".Release and promotion
No Genre was released on May 13, 2025, as BoyNextDoor's fourth extended play, eight months following the preceding EP 19.99. "I Feel Good" was released as a single alongside the EP. The single was the second of two tracks promoted in support of the EP, following "If I Say, I Love You", which was promoted in January as a digital single.KOZ unveiled the record’s title and release date on April 14 through a purple-tinted animated clip featuring a character's silhouette in motion. A trailer film presented in an omnibus format followed on April 18, featuring the members in six different plotlines that correspond with a particular theme: "No Shame", No Pain", "No Harm", "No Drama", "No Feelings", and "No Posing".
The track listing was revealed on April 21. A promotional "sound check" will be released on May 1, followed by a "Sound Tour" track spoiler featuring snippets of the EP's tracks on May 5. Concept films and photos for the album's three themes—"No Matter", "No Route", "No Limit"—were sequentially published from April 23 to 29. The EP's release will be followed by a comeback showcase the following day at the Jangchung Arena in Jung District, Seoul.