ZeroBaseOne faced the challenge of reestablishing themselves after their contract from the survival show Boys Planet ended, and the four members signed to YH Entertainment returned the company to re-debut as And2ble. “Top 5” is the first comeback featuring the current ZeroBaseOne lineup of Hanbin, Jiwoong, Matthew, Taerae, and Gunwook. Thankfully, beyond its title, the song does not allude to the split of the original nine-member formation. Instead, it is a callback to 2000s R&B that claims a different, more mature sound from past ZeroBaseOne title tracks, making a strong impact as a re-debut.
Prior to this comeback, ZeroBaseOne have often released bright, upbeat synthpop title tracks, interspersed with some noisier, high-energy songs and softer, emotional ballads. In contrast to their more maximalist sound, “Top 5” leans into understated contemporary R&B and strips back the instrumentation. The members whisper about their “top five” favorite things about a lover: “Your lips, your style, your kiss, your smile, and number one, how you make me feel like.” Accompanying the more mature subject matter of the song, the MV aims for a sleek, monochromatic aesthetic, with the group wearing well-tailored, mostly black outfits with peeks of skin.
Each member has time to showcase his talents in “Top 5.” Hanbin starts the song with the raspy spoken hook. Jiwoong’s brighter, more nasal tone adds texture to the song. Matthew contributes rhythmic melodic rap, while Gunwook’s lower register provides more edge with his rap. Taerae’s vocals soar in the post-chorus and ad-libs at the end of the song. “Top 5” is not the most melodically dynamic track, repeating its hook throughout each section of the song, but each member’s unique tone and style of line delivery becomes apparent through that repetition.
The “Top 5” MV feels like a classic boy group video, with many elements that feel nostalgically familiar: silhouettes against a white background, dance sequences in water, shafts of light illuminating through holes in the wall. The wardrobe and sets recall 2nd generation groups like TVXQ, but despite the 2000s references, the clean lines of the production design make it feel contemporary. Essentially, the MV’s familiar elements make it immediately accessible, while still establishing a visual style of its own.
The expertly executed camera work and editing in particular make the MV engaging. At times the camera lies overhead or at a low angle, pushing in slowly. These manage to create visual interest without calling too much attention to themselves, because they coordinate with the choreography. Most of the cuts maintain continuity with the previous shots, usually matching the movements of the member in the center. As a result, despite changes in set, wardrobe, or camera angle, the viewer is locked in on the members.
To focus on the members, the MV directors were smart to forgo a storyline, busy composition, bright colors, or any other potentially distracting features. The streamlined visual approach is effective for what this MV sets out to do: highlight the members’ vocals, performance, and charisma.
A good rebrand should emphasize the members’ talents while forging a new musical or conceptual direction, and “Top 5” thoughtfully accomplishes all of that. While many fans may continue to mourn the split of the original lineup, “Top 5” suggests that there is much to look forward to in the new ZeroBaseOne’s future.
(YouTube. Lyrics via Genius. Images via Wake One Entertainment).
