It’s an enormous day for Ok-pop boy teams, with one veteran act returning after an extended hiatus and the 12 months’s most anticipate rookie making their debut. ZEROBASEONE have been introduced collectively by way of MNET’s audition program Boys Planet, which I chronicled on this weblog again when it aired. Although I used to be happy with the ultimate line-up for this group, little or no of the sequence’ music has endured on my playlist. Will In Bloom buck the pattern?

I’m blissful to see ZEROBASEONE debut with a brighter, younger idea. The songwriting energy behind In Bloom may be very robust, with one in every of GFriend’s frequent collaborators taking the lead. This — plus an interpolation of a-ha’s mighty Take On Me — units the stage for a really promising debut. True to type, In Bloom is a pleasing pay attention. However it’s removed from a house run.

I’ve been utilizing key phrases like “muted” and “subdued” too typically to explain 2023 in Ok-pop, however these descriptors embody In Bloom‘s largest shortcomings. Although it’s undoubtedly a dance monitor, the sonic palette feels oddly drained of pleasure. This makes the post-chorus chant and brisk refrain melody really feel unsupported. Perhaps my expectations are fully of of whack, however I don’t perceive the drum and bass manufacturing in any respect. I get pleasure from drum and bass as a style, however it feels mismatched with this tune. The instrumental shuffles whereas the melody surges. The result’s sort of nebulous.

With this stated, I count on In Bloom to develop extra addictive with time. The vocals are robust and the refrain is a complete earworm. The a-ha interpolation is used effectively and avoids the obvious hallmarks of that iconic synth riff. The tune might not be the knockout I hoped for, however ZEROBASEONE have the precise elements for a killer discography.

Grade: B