ZEROBASEONE have always released solid music, but they really found their footing with last year’s Cinema Paradise album. Teaming with K-pop legend Kenzie on title track Good So Bad was an inspired choice, and the group has replicated that success with new single Blue. The song is nostalgic and energizing, buoyed by one of the year’s best choruses.
I always know we’re in for a treat when a song’s chorus is teased frequently before its release. The producers and agency clearly have confidence in this hook and the melodies were already stuck in my head days before the full song was released. As you might expect given this approach, Blue gallops out of the gate with this full-fledged refrain. The vocal blend here is so SHINee-coded, as if it could have sprung from one of their 2018-era albums. I’m sure this is thanks to the Kenzie connection, but ZB1’s powerful vocals also deserve praise. Not every group can deliver this style of song so well.
I’m not sure how I feel about Blue‘s multiple slowdowns (the beginning of verse two could pop a bit more), but when you know its megawatt chorus is lurking around every corner it’s hard to be dissatisfied with the arrangement. The song’s liveliness is a needed balm in the dead of winter, even if Blue feels better suited to the summer months. At their best, its melodies have a soaring, open-hearted sound that makes you want to shout at the top of your lungs. Good So Bad grew on me massively over the months since its release, but Blue is an instant hit.
| Hooks | 10 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 9 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
rating 9 but a C?
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Oops! Thanks for catching that.
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*gasps* A 10 for hooks? Nick, you okay? You need water? Did pigs started flying? Are we all in a fever dream or something like that? I have not seen a K-Pop song get a 10 for hooks since Key’s Bad Love, and that was way back in 2021! But what can I say, it’s deserved.
The hooks are really good and it definitely gives off SHINee, hell, I literally can envision Key and Onew sing the chorus. My only gripe with this song is that the ending’s too abrupt and the production needs more bite to it. But I liked it.
An 8.75 (9, 8, 9, 9) for now. And btw, the grade’s supposed to be A- (:
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I’m in the minority but I really dont like the chorus😬 Like the melody just isnt catchy? Or I guess I’m not clicking with it. Its just sounds like they’re yelling. But i really really love the prechorus and the BRIDGE!!!
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That’s how I felt when I first listened to SHINee’s Good Afternoon and The Feeling, but then, bam, it just clicks!
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Not The Feeling, I meant Tell Me What To Do 😭
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It is a bit shouty, but in an exuberant way that’s pleasingly genuine to me. It captures the feeling of being so happy and excited that you start YELLING!
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that rating is absolutely deserved. from the first listen alone it’s easily their best title track. the chorus, the second verse, the bridge and finale genuinely made me tear up from happiness, I love these boys so much 🩵
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this sounds a little restrained to me so I’d give it an 8.5
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The music feels restrained. Nice groundwork but the execution doesn’t measure up. W1 needs to take some pages out of Wanna One’s playbook before it’s too late
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It’s a fun song
8.5/10 (9, 9, 8, 8) for me
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Kenzie should stay on the production team. She understands the assignment when it comes to ZB1’s sound & essence. The melody could be stronger with a more explosive last chorus and gustier production but this continues the bittersweet vibe established last tt. Overall solid song!
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I hope Kenzie at least makes their inevitable final song. she nails the bittersweet emotion in a song down.
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Manifesting that tbh
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like I would literally kill for a FOREVER 1 type of song, that song was the most I’ve cried (full on bawling if I’m being honest) to a k-pop song ever. I pray WAKEONE makes the right choice because I know Kenzie loved working with the boys and it would be a huge missed opportunity.
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I do not like the way they make many words in the chorus staccato. In stark contrast to your review, the slow downs are the strongest parts of the song to me. They have variation and a softer charm compared to the punchy chorus, so in that way, the chorus does deliver for the sake of the other parts.
So basically, flip everything you said in your review and that’s how I feel about this one… ¯_(ツ)_/¯
I give it (8,7,8,7) = 7.5
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I like the song as a whole, but I agree that I like the slowdown parts too, and that they give the song a balance. The “what if what if” rap makes my ears perk up.
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I’m not so fond of the chorus (it feels like NCT Dream to me) but I like the verses a lot and think the song will grow on me. The rest of the album is surprisingly heavy on the funk…Devil Game (which I think will be their other promoted track?) feels like a cross between &Team’s Deer Hunter and Enhypen’s Sweet Venom.
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Why does ZeroBaseOne insist on releasing summer bops so early in the year?? Overall, I think Good So Bad is the better song (the slow-downs really drag this song). Anytime a group has a SHINee inspired sound and does it justice, that a win in my book. Who knew Kenzie and ZB1 would have such great synergy! I enjoyed the song, even if during the verses I was just waiting for that chorus to come!
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Although I think zb1 have the best vocals of the 5th generation. I always get the feeling that their company doesn’t highlight their vocals in their music in the best way.
Unlike you, I’m not a fan of this type of chorus at all. I find it shrill. I like the verse part more. I still think that So good so bad is their best song.
Even though you say that the vocal mix is similar to Shinee’s, I don’t see it, first because Shinee’s vocals seem more powerful and skilled to me, and their choruses have never made me think that they are screaming (with this I’m not saying that zb1 is screaming but it does leave you with that auditory sensation like in Love 119,)
This song is a 7.5. There are other better songs on their album like Devil game
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I like it but for some reason I felt a little overwhelmed by the end of the song. I kind of wanted it to end. For now, I’d say 8. There’s a 50/50 chance it may grow on me or it may become annoying.
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I know this song is over 3 minutes, but it really feels like a song that was trimmed down. The choruses feel like they aren’t long enough… I was expecting some kind of post chorus instrumental or something more for the second chorus. The final chorus especially needed something more–it just ends so quickly and without much bombast. Don’t get me wrong, I like the song and the vocals a lot. But I just wish they’d made it a bit longer and had more build up to the final chorus.
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Similarly to GSB it feels like the track doesn’t want to linger in it’s own glory. The verses are better this time but the chorus is once again the centerpience. The production should’ve intensified in the bridge leading into a knockout final chorus. Why is W1 afraid of adlibs? Let them go off
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Yes!! I forgot that I also felt unsatisfied by GSB’s ending. The final chorus should’ve gone on longer. Why do they fear the ~10 extra seconds of song required to make the ending just a bit better? I just can’t wait for this “make song as short as possible” trend to die. I hate hearing a song and knowing that certain choices were made solely for the purpose of trimming the song down.
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I like it but not 9 like it. More like mid 8’s for me. I can hear some bits of SHINee, but I hear more like Taio Cruz “Dynamite” but make it contemporary boy band.
The chorus has a lot of monotone, which in SHINee hands usually means dense chords that have a lot of tension in them. Here, those same notes have volume and intensity but not tension. I think also ZBO has good vocals, but not characteristic vocals like a Taemin or Onew. I can pick out Onew anywhere. There guys here, nope.
That said, the song is a breath of fresh air breezing through an otherwise lousy month.
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I like this track, it’s good and in line with what ZB1’s been doing since debut, but I somehow don’t find it as excellent as Nick or some other commenters here. I think an extended chorus, at least for the outro, would’ve really elevated it and kept it from feeling it trimmed down as YEB pointed out. I’m sure it will grow on me, though! My favorite ZB1 title track is still Sweat, which is rather simple but addictive and always effective.
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omg yes Sweat appreciation! the only song of zb1 that i still replay constantly
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Sweat is still tied with GSB for my favorite, but Blue might overtake GSB with time, I don’t know yet. Anyway, love hearing more of that summer sound– even though this shares a producer with GSB, Blue sort of feels like a spiritual sequel to Sweat.
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Oh wow, not to get carried away (as I often do), but this will probably be in my top 10 at the end of the year.
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The only thing I feel missing in this song, is a post-chorus IMO. The chorus is good, ear-worm worthy and have a constant building up but eventually lead to a nothing (especially in final chorus). I would rather put a section that chanting “Wooo-oo-ooh” or “Naa-naa-naa” to end a grand finale.
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Agreed. I hope someone makes an edit of this song where they flesh out the choruses a bit more. And add more layers or vocals to each subsequent chorus. Especially the final one!
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I think this is a 8.75 for me !!!(9.5, 8, 8.5, 9)
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What…did I listen to the same song as everybody else?
This is so boring…
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Yeah, I think you need to re-listen to it. This song is great!
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I wish I could take this comment back.
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If it’s any consolation I did not re-listen xD
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I also don’t find it as good as others here, but I think it’s better than a lot of the uninspired music coming out these days. Maybe a B or B+ in my book.
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A TEN? TEN? TEN???!?!?!?
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Eh I don’t like the chorus – especially with how restrain their vocal sounds (which kinda bizzare since their main vocalists are really strong vocalist)
I give it 7 or 8
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I’ve noticed this trend of W1 putting all their effort into the chorus and neglecting the other parts of the song. The chorus is where a song thrives but some minor details can take a basic song to the next level.
We’re on the right track they just need to go a little further.
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I loved it, I agree with some of the comments here that the chorus felt a bit restrained vocally, but I can ignore it, these kind of songs always hit right in the spot for me.
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I’m sorry, I replied to your comment by mistake🙏😅
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im assuming u would give good so bad a 9 now since u mentioned it grew on u massively?
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Yes, it’s a 9 🙂
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