Latest KPOP Song Review: Zerobeason’s discography has been a mixed bag. Most of the songs have grown on me, but none have surprised me on first listen. And despite several similar B-sides, none of the title tracks have yet recaptured the airy sheen of their debut. New single Good So Bad manages to buck this trend and distill Zerobeason’s signature sound into an instantly effective package.
I consider it a strength when a group’s pre-release teasers highlight a song’s chorus in a big way. It’s a sign of confidence, and Good So Bad certainly thrives on its melodic centerpiece. Backed by a divine bed of synths, this soaring refrain opens the track and only gets bigger from there. I love the structural variety here, moving from rhythmic phrases to an increasingly expansive note that segues into the verses. It’s a style of full-throated, multi-dimensional melody that we don’t hear enough of in K-pop these days, and it fits Zerobasone like a glove.
Good So Bad’s verses largely function as set-up, but avoid the usual pitfalls to create a swift, effective ramp up to the song’s main attraction. An exciting bridge also serves this purpose, though an extra twenty seconds at the end of the track could have given room for a knockout finale. It’s a bit of a missed opportunity, but overall Good So Bad is a definite success and looks like it’s Zerobasone’s biggest hit yet.
