YVES Break It (feat. Lexie Liu) (2026)

What is YVES Break It (feat. Lexie Liu)?

Break It (feat. Lexie Liu) is a track from YVES' fourth EP 'NAIL' that features Chinese-American artist Lexie Liu. The music video for the track was released through YVES' official YouTube channel on June 17th. The song builds on dreamy chords and analog synth sounds layered over a drum and bass rhythm.

The musical composition centers around a chorus where condensed energy bursts strongly along the cracks of senses. This sonic approach creates a distinctive atmosphere that blends electronic production with emotional intensity. Lexie Liu's featuring contribution extends beyond vocal performance, as she appeared directly in the music video following her collaboration on the track.

The collaboration between YVES and Lexie Liu demonstrates musical synergy that transcends borders and language barriers. The music video presents a narrative concept featuring YVES as an alien girl spending her last day on Earth. Within this storyline, YVES encounters another alien character portrayed by Lexie Liu, and their time together influences her decision to remain on Earth. The visual narrative complements the song's thematic exploration of connection and identity.

Song Concept and Themes

The song functions as an emotional study that transforms inner chaos into repeatable language and imagery. Phrases like "break it and make it" and "empty stomach" carry multiple layers of meaning related to destruction, hunger, healing, and survival. The loose, near-rhymed verses and mantra-like choruses work together to sonically mirror cycles of breakdown and rebuilding.

The lyrical structure traces an inner journey through three distinct phases: solitary confusion and self-loss in YVES' opening verse, shared vulnerability and pattern-recognition in Lexie Liu's contribution, and cyclical acceptance through mantra-like repetition in the chorus and post-chorus. This framework operates on an emotional rather than narrative level, establishing setup, confrontation, and resolution without following a linear plot.

The central conflict emerges between the craving for a definitive cure and the recognition that emotional healing is repetitive and imperfect. Lines such as "I came looking for a cure, it might be temporary" and the recurring Korean phrase "다시 비워내도" demonstrate a mature understanding that pain cycles rather than vanishes. The resolution manifests not through solving the problem but through choosing persistence despite an unsolvable cycle. The shared chorus between both artists implies this struggle represents a human condition rather than an individual flaw.

Production and Credits

IOAH served as the primary producer for the track, handling composition, arrangement, and programming responsibilities. The production work represents a collaborative effort between multiple specialists who contributed distinct technical expertise to the final recording. IOAH's production approach incorporated electronic elements that shaped the song's sonic foundation.

The songwriting credits include three contributors: Dopein, Lexie Liu, and IOAH. Lexie Liu's involvement extended beyond her featured vocal performance to include participation in the writing process. This collaborative writing structure allowed for integration of multiple creative perspectives within the composition.

Lee Cheongmoo (이청무) handled mixing engineering duties, balancing the various sonic elements and preparing the track for final processing. The mixing stage involved technical decisions that affected the spatial positioning and clarity of individual components within the stereo field.

B.K completed the mastering engineering, applying final adjustments to optimize the track for distribution across various playback systems. The mastering process ensured consistent sound quality and appropriate loudness levels for commercial release. Han Jae-yeong (한재영) is additionally credited in the production team, contributing to the technical execution of the recording.

Lyrics and Music Video

Full lyrics breakdown

Lyrics for the track incorporate multilingual elements across both artists' contributions. YVES opens with verses exploring disorientation and self-discovery, using imagery of blurry mirrors and lost identity. The first verse establishes disconnection through lines about standing next to somebody while being connected to beats, finding oneself when at a loss.

Lexie Liu's verse introduces bilingual components, including the Chinese phrase "自从我看见了你" (since the moment I saw you). Her contribution addresses breaking oneself in two and searching for temporary cures while acknowledging repeated patterns. The collaborative chorus features Korean lyrics "다시 비워내도" (even if I empty it out again) alongside English phrases about washing pain and carrying on.

The post-chorus repeats "Break it, break it and make it up" as a cyclical refrain. Both artists share vocal duties during the final chorus, creating layered harmonies that emphasize the collaborative nature of the performance.

Official music video details

The official music video premiered on PAIX PER MIL YouTube channel. Promotional distribution occurred across multiple platforms, including TikTok and Instagram, directing audiences to the YouTube release. Streaming and physical purchase options for the NAIL EP became available through ADA distribution links.