ZEROBASEONE is set to make a captivating return with their fifth mini-album Blue Paradise, offering a distinctive mix of "mysterious freshness" that highlights their evolving artistry. On February 22, WakeOne Entertainment released the album sampler on the group's official website, giving fans an exclusive preview of the upcoming tracks.

The sampler featured an innovative concept where each track appeared as a disk inserted into a computer CD-ROM, sequentially playing highlight snippets from the album. This creative approach added an interactive layer of engagement, sparking excitement among fans.

The title track Blue explores the duality of the word "blue"—a symbol of both sadness and beauty—narrating a story of a fateful love that is melancholic yet strikingly beautiful. ZEROBASEONE collaborates once again with renowned hitmaker KENZIE, following their successful partnership on Good So Bad, ensuring another impactful synergy.

Blue Paradise comprises six tracks, each offering a unique soundscape that demonstrates the group’s versatility. Devil Game stands out with its controlled drum beats and seductive groove, while Doctor! Doctor! pairs an addictive melody with the members’ sweet and captivating vocal tones. The album also features ZEROBASEONE’s first-ever unit tracks, allowing fans to experience new combinations within the group.

Out of Love infuses the vibrant energy of pop-punk, enhanced by the refreshing vocals of Kim Jiwoong, Zhang Hao, and Kim Gyubin. In contrast, Step Back presents an intriguing balance between a heavy instrumental and a lively melodic line, performed by Ricky, Park Gunwook, and Han Yujin.

Crue, a rock-based track, showcases the provocative vocal styles of Sung Hanbin, Seok Matthew, and Kim Taerae, rounding out the album with a dynamic edge. This diverse lineup of songs allows the album to maintain depth and cohesion while offering a wide musical range.

The overarching message of Blue Paradise is that even moments of sadness (blue) are integral to life, and the effort to navigate through them is, in itself, radiant and beautiful. A WakeOne representative highlighted, "The six tracks organically depict the journey toward finding one's own Blue Paradise, emphasizing the group’s musical growth."

ZEROBASEONE will officially release Blue Paradise on February 24 at 6 p.m. KST across major music platforms, promising fans an album rich with emotion, diversity, and the continued evolution of the group’s sound.

Sayart / Kelly.K, pittou8181@gmail.com