A brand new period begins as we speak as ZEROBASEONE make their first comeback as a newly-reconfigured five-member group. We’ve seen this method earlier than with Kep1er, however this case has an additional layer of curiosity as a result of the rest of the (former) group can be re-debuting as AND2BLE in per week’s time, organising showdown of kinds. With this in thoughts, I’m wondering if the title “Prime 5” was intentional on the company’s half. I doubt the fellows are fascinated by something past pleasant competitors, however although the track’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 track would really feel rather 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 turn out to be a well-known trope of this period. Prime 5 does a nice job with the groove, although struggles to search out the simple earworm that will set it over the sting. As a substitute, the observe hinges on a spoken-word record that types its introduction and goes on to repeat in numerous methods. This hook isn’t a lot to hold your hat on, but it surely’s trussed up by some melodic riffing that matches the swagger of the beat.

In my “high 5” record of desired qualities, I need to embrace track lengths over two-and-a-half minutes. Prime 5 has a good quantity of concepts, however no time to discover them. The power is brisk however the construction by no means actually goes anyplace. We’re left with a groove underpinning scraps of a track. It’s all fairly satisfying, 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 track meant to reintroduce this iteration of the group.

Grade: B