Find Your “TOP 5” While Listening to ZEROBASEONE’s New Release Ascend-
Photo: WAKEONE Entertainment
With the new change in ZEROBASEONE, we all wondered what exactly the sound of ZEROBASEONE would be. Would they stick to the cute concept we are used to? Would we get something new? I can say that when the teasers dropped, we were all excited with anticipation. We have seen ZB1 do more mature concepts, but this one is different, and after having such a heartfelt release, ZEROBASEONE is back with a new concept that has us all at the edges of our seats. With a more sensual sound, Ascend- is an R&B-heavy album with seven hard-hitting tracks. Ascend- is a striking album that gave us a new look into ZB1.
Ascend- Tracklist:
“Intro”
“TOP 5” (Title track)
“V for Vision”
“Customize”
“Exotic”
“Changes”
“Zero to Hundred”
The album starts off with a captivating intro. The upbeat instrumental has a striking futuristic sound that will have you feeling the anticipation of what is to come. While listening to this track, you can’t help but imagine so many scenarios. I can picture them using this opener to walk out to at a concert, maybe with an added hard-hitting dance. It’s a great opener for the next song.
The next song is the album's title track, “TOP 5.” A groovy track with a mix of R&B and hip-hop, “TOP 5” is a fun song that will have you ready to move to the beat. This track was released the day before the album, and had us all super excited to hear the rest. It’s a track that talks about how the person made the top five list of favorite things. While listening to this track, you can hear the romantic energy through the lyrics. “TOP 5 favorite things of all time. Your lips, your style, your kiss, your smile, and number one, how you make me feel like-.” It is such a movable song that you can’t help but move your body to the tempo. The boys do a great job vocal-wise in this song. Throughout the track, you can hear each member giving his best vocal performance. While hopping from range to range, you can hear the members singing in lower bass tones and jumping to high falsettos. It is so exciting to hear the members sing like that. You can hear the yearning in their voices, and they do such a great job at portraying that emotion.
In the music video, the boys look very sophisticated in their black-and-white outfits. The surrounding scenery is very artistic. With a monotone surrounding, the sets are gray and black, which is so different from the bright, colorful settings we are used to from ZB1. The choreography for this song matches the more mature sound it's going for. With more striking moves, there are also moments during the pre-chorus when it slows down, and that is shown in the movements. It is such a new look for the boys, and they do a great job at showing that in this new release.
The next song on the album is my personal favorite. “V for Vision” is an R&B track with a groovy beat. It’s a track that showcases those beautiful falsettos while also maintaining a calm aura throughout the song. Throughout the album, you hear tracks that showcase the R&B genre, and they do such an amazing job of staying true to it while still having such a unique sound, like their song “Changes,” for example. It’s a mesmerizing ballad with a beautiful piano instrumental and heavenly vocals, but while sticking to that R&B vibe, they were still able to change it up a little to fit their sound.
The album also features upbeat tracks that will have you ready to dance along. “Customize” is a danceable track with a groovy beat that will have you singing along. Written/produced by member Gunwook, the track is very lively and thrilling to listen to. The prominent electric guitar is stunning and showcases the members' musical range. The next upbeat track is “Exotic.” With a more house music theme, the pop elements of the track are prominent, and you realize this is a track you can listen to while partying. The song is fun and perfect for the summer days ahead.
The last song on the album is an exciting way to end it. “Zero to Hundred” is that ZB1 sound that we know. Ending with a very exciting song, “Zero to Hundred” is a lighthearted track that showcases the strong vocals of the members. I can picture such a colorful video with this song. I can see the bright skies, smiles, and fun vibes while this song plays, and they do such an amazing job at ending this release on a high note.
ZEROBASEONE did such an amazing job on this new release. With the anticipation high when this comeback was announced, everyone was wondering what it would sound like, and they did not disappoint. So, everyone go and check out ZEROBASEONE’s new release, Ascend-, for a good time.