ZEROBASEONE Breaks Records with Debut Album
ZEROBASEONE, also known as ZB1, made their highly anticipated debut on July 10. The group was formed on Mnet’s first season of Boys Planet, a survival show that whittled 98 contestants down to a nine-member lineup. ZB1 will be promoting under WakeOne Entertainment for a contracted two-and-a-half years. Many are referring to the boys as the official start of K-Pop’s fifth generation, and they’re certainly kicking things off with a bang. ZB1 is already breaking major records as the first K-Pop boy group in the past 26 years to surpass one million pre-orders with a debut album, and doing so in just 13 days. Will YOUTH IN THE SHADE live up to the hype? Only time will tell. For now, let’s look at the six-track mini-album from Sung Hanbin, Kim Jiwoong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Taerae, Ricky, Kim Gyuvin, Park Gunwook, and Han Yujin.
YOUTH IN THE SHADE starts off slow with the opening track, “Back to ZEROBASE.” The nine members sing about the moment just before debut. They’re standing at the starting line, about to enter brand-new territory. Tension builds with stunning harmonies and the repeated question: “Is it real?”
The next track is “In Bloom,” which samples a-ha’s famous synth-pop track “Take On Me.” It also happens to be ZB1’s debut title track. “In Bloom” compares the life span of flowers to unrequited love. Although all flowers wilt and die in the end, the lyrics vow to give everything for love. The music video is modeled after an old-school video game. The set moves through various levels, starting at a greenhouse and eventually ending in a high school hallway filled with blooming flowers. The boys show off a fresh and youthful concept that’s sure to melt fans’ hearts.
The album then moves into more upbeat tracks “New Kidz on the Block” and “And I.” The first brings a sense of ‘90s nostalgia with retro vibes and confident lyrics about, “going straight to the top,” while the latter is an R&B pop love song.
“Our Season” is the sister track to “Back to ZEROBASE.” The vocals are equally beautiful with fun group ad-libs sprinkled throughout. You can feel the passion behind the lyrics as the nine members sing about moving forward and growing together. Their journey may have started out with intense competition, but their future is waiting to be filled with a wonderful story of friendship.
Personally, I would’ve liked to see “Always” placed earlier in the album, as it feels strange to end with a two-minute solo track. However, as the first-place finalist of Boys Planet, Zhang Hao definitely doesn’t disappoint. He finished recording the R&B track in under three hours, showing off his impressive falsetto. “Always” is yet another love song. Zhang Hao promises, “I will always be by your side,” wrapping up ZB1’s debut album on a sweet note.
ZEROBASEONE’s record-breaking debut mini-album, YOUTH IN THE SHADE, is available now on all streaming platforms. Don’t forget to check out the official music video for “In Bloom” below!
Edited by Aleena Faisal