ZEROBASEONE Remain ‘ICONIK’ With NEVER SAY NEVER

It’s been two years of ZEROBASEONE changing our lives and the K-pop scene. They’ve constantly shaken us with every comeback and made their way into our playlists, and it all led to this: the release of their full-length album, NEVER SAY NEVER. Beating the odds and inserting their power as 5th-gen leaders more than ever before, ZEROBASEONE just gave us their best album to date—and here’s why.

The Pre-Releases

Before we got the release of ZEROBASEONE’s NEVER SAY NEVER, we got a taste of what was to come. ‘SLAM DUNK‘ was released as a pre-release single last month, and its bold, loud sound made it clear that ZEROBASEONE didn’t come here to play with the most important comeback of their career. Additionally, ZEROBASEONE included the Korean version of their Japanese track, ‘NOW OR NEVER.’ This perfect pop song could never get old, and this new version gives it a new life and even more energy. ‘NOW OR NEVER’ is a must-listen and blends into the album perfectly. Those two songs were enough for us to know this album would be the release of a lifetime.

‘ICONIK’

‘ICONIK’ represents everything ZEROBASEONE stands for: youth, freedom, art, and confidence. You wouldn’t expect that with such a smooth start, ‘ICONIK’ would switch into an energetic and groovy track. The title track screams ZEROBASEONE’s name—it’s confident, electric, refreshing, bold, and magical. And in perfect ZEROBASEONE fashion, ‘ICONIK’ exudes pop excellence by delivering incredibly addictive and satisfying melodies with exceptional vocals. But what makes ‘ICONIK’ even more memorable is that when you think you have it figured out, different elements in the song simply sweep you off your feet. ZEROBASEONE are always ready to surprise us, and there’s no denying they’re right: they’re iconic.

NEVER SAY NEVER

This isn’t a comeback like any other. Full-length albums often allow groups to further explore their sound and artistry with more b-sides. And with a group like ZEROBASEONE, consistently delivering the best of the best, NEVER SAY NEVER was meant to be a masterpiece. These B-sides are probably the best ones we’ve gotten from ZEROBASEONE, which says a lot. ‘Lovesick Game’ starts it off extremely strong. This song is special from the very first few seconds, with its mysterious, luring, and sophisticated melodies. This song is all about falling in love, and for it to be all-consuming, hypnotizing, and intoxicating; ‘Lovesick Game’ replicates the feeling perfectly well with the atmosphere it creates.

ZEROBASEONE excels in every concept, and while ‘Lovesick Game’ is on the darker side, songs like ‘Goosebumps’ and ‘Dumb’ represent their brighter and fun side incredibly well. ‘Goosebumps’ is a soft, bubbly, sweet song that encapsulates perfectly the initial emotions of liking someone. Just like a new love, it’s refreshing and light. Listening to ‘Dumb’ makes all worries and problems disappear with its lighthearted, video game-inspired production. The shift in the chorus is something that always comes as a surprise and makes ‘Dumb’ such a standout track.

‘EXTRA’ is almost too good to be just a B-side. This song is simply K-pop excellence: the vocals, the energy, the mix and match of different genres—it’s all there. ‘EXTRA’ is an absolute banger and the B-side from NEVER SAY NEVER. It soon transitions into another huge highlight of the album: ‘Long Way Back.’ This ballad embodies the ’90s boyband and R&B influence, and it’s no secret that ZEROBASEONE are incredible vocalists, so of course, this song hits in all the right ways. The way they express feelings of not wanting to lose someone they’ve grown apart from is gutwrenching and devastating.

ZEROBASEONE can do youthful, hopeful, and nostalgic songs like no one else, and ‘Star Eyes’ is one of the most beautiful examples of that. As it represents their journey as a group and bonds with their fans, ‘Star Eyes’ is energetic and a serotonin boost, but also incredibly emotional. ZEROBASEONE has come so far as individuals, as a group, and as artists, and ‘Star Eyes’ is a testament to all they’ve been through and their hard work.

‘I Know U Know’ is a heartfelt, gorgeous soft ballad about unconditional love that comes as the perfect closure to NEVER SAY NEVER. It’s an album where ZEROBASEONE explore different genres, showcase their vocals, and all the sides to their talent in various amazing ways, resulting in an absolute masterpiece. ZEROBASEONE has been a group to look for since their debut, and they’ve proven with every comeback their talent and growth, everything amounting to one of the best releases of the year with NEVER SAY NEVER. ZEROBASEONE will, indeed, forever be iconic.

What’s your favorite track out of NEVER SAY NEVER? Are you more team ‘SLAM DUNK’ or ‘ICONIK?’ Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.

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