Music Evaluate: ZEROBASEONE – High 5

A brand new period begins at the moment as ZEROBASEONE make their first comeback as a newly-reconfigured five-member group. We’ve seen this strategy earlier than with Kep1er, however this case has an additional layer of curiosity as a result of the rest of the (former) group will probably be re-debuting as AND2BLE in per week’s time, establishing showdown of types. With this in thoughts, I’m wondering if the title “High 5” was intentional on the company’s half. I doubt the blokes are fascinated by something past pleasant competitors, however although the music’s lyrical content material references an object of their affection, the title itself is eyebrow-raising to say the least.

I can’t assist however suppose this music would really feel way more spectacular if it had been launched three or 4 years in the past. Its early-2000s Neptunes-esque hip-hop beat has been leveraged by so many acts over the previous few years that it’s grow to be a well-known trope of this period. High 5 does a high-quality job with the groove, although struggles to search out the plain earworm that will set it over the sting. As a substitute, the observe hinges on a spoken-word listing that kinds its introduction and goes on to repeat in varied methods. This hook isn’t a lot to hold your hat on, nevertheless it’s trussed up by some melodic riffing that matches the swagger of the beat.

In my “prime 5” listing of desired qualities, I have to embrace music lengths over two-and-a-half minutes. High 5 has a good quantity of concepts, however no time to discover them. The vitality is brisk however the construction by no means actually goes wherever. We’re left with a groove underpinning scraps of a music. It’s all fairly pleasing, but leaves you feeling unfulfilled when it’s completed. On the plus facet, this common vibe is well-suited to summer season and would make nice connective tissue on any upbeat playlist. It’s simply not a spotlight in its personal proper, and that’s a disgrace for a music meant to reintroduce this iteration of the group.

Grade: B