What do you do when your most favorite Kpop group has a new album drop?? Fangirl hard over your favorite pirate boys, of course!! Karie the Maknae and I, MiataMama, bring you our thoughts on all the fantastic new music from ATEEZ’s ZERO: FEVER Part.2!!
You can stream ZERO: FEVER Part.2 HERE on Spotify.
*While rapper Mingi’s voice is present in all tracks on this album, due to health reasons, he is on hiatus and is not participating in promotions alongside his fellow members.
In this second installment of their Fever series, ATEEZ continues to bring a wide variety of music to their listeners, all while intertwining their signature rap and vocals (and unparalleled stage performances).
Fireworks (I’m The One)
MiataMama: This title track is a total bop!! The way the slower verse sections contrast the hyped-up chorus make for an exciting auditory roller coaster. And even though the choreography for this song is their most difficult yet, I still jump up off my couch and try dancing along every time “Fireworks” loops on my playlist!!
Karie the Maknae: LOVING this title track. It’s very catchy and fun. As a longtime ATINY, it’s a relief to hear Mingi’s vocals for the very prominent rap section — it gives me hope that he might come back soon! I’m loving the reversed reverb on the hook, and the wavy deep bass is nice touch, especially when it rolls into the crisper beats on the chorus.
The Leaders
MiataMama: Seonghwa flexing his rap skills, San rapping in satoori, Mingi’s growly voice during his rap section and Wooyoung’s breathy, whispered lines are my favorite things about this track. Even though they are not the same style of music, “The Leaders” has the same sort of vibe “Win” does – ATEEZ are confident in themselves and their talent and they don’t hesitate to declare that very thing to their listeners.
Karie the Maknae: It took a few listens for this one to grow on me. Songs that are completely rap aren’t necessarily my jam, but somehow this one works. There are a couple of parts that feel like ASMR — the whispering is right in my ears and pulls me out of the rhythm of the song, but in a good way. It wakes me up and makes me pay attention, just like a good leader does!
Time Of Love
MiataMama: Besides “Fireworks”, this is my most favorite song on the new album! I adore peppy, up-beat songs and “Time Of Love” delivers that, as well as some encouraging lyrics reminding us that nobody’s perfect and that we all need to just love on each other a little more! I know, I know, this description sounds super cheesy, lol. . . but the song just melts my heart and I love it!!
Karie the Maknae: The sweetness of this song just makes me so happy. The chorus is something we all need right now: “Oh, nobody’s perfect, nobody’s perfect/I must be on your side/Oh, what is happiness? What is love?/It’s about understanding each other.” NAILED IT.
Take Me Home
MiataMama: ATEEZ are currently wrapping up their third week of promotions and have yet to perform this song on stage. I’m hopeful that they are going to surprise us with a second MV for this comeback, in the form of “Take Me Home”. The 80’s inspired synth is strong in this track, as are the angst ridden lyrics – the whole song is a MOOD. And I am enjoying it more and more each time I listen. However . . . I reeeeeally could do without the wailing sax solo at the end. Just not my vibe – sorry, not sorry!
Karie the Maknae: It’s been my habit to love songs about going home — they just speak to me! This one is about pushing through dark times with the help of someone close to us. The synth vibe takes me back to the songs of my childhood, and I love how it’s reimagined here in present-day kpop. I’m with MiataMama on the sax solo, though. I lived through the Kenny G era, and I do NOT need to return to that bit, thankyouverymuch.
Celebrate
MiataMama: ATINYs received a special 1-day preview of “Celebrate” last year during the second anniversary of the fandom – a present from ATEEZ to ATINY, because they really cherish their fans. It’s a happy song – I love happy songs. And I love being an ATINY!
Karie the Maknae: I appreciate the motivation and the message behind “Celebrate”, but it’s not one I have on repeat.
Take Me Home – English Version
MiataMama: During one of their recent comeback interviews, Hongjoong spoke on why they included an English version of this song on the new album. He recognized that ATEEZ have a large international audience, and rather than have to depend on translations, they wanted non-native ATINY to be able to understand this new song right away. My feelings on this English version are mixed – while I appreciate their continued thoughtfulness to their international fans, I also prefer my Kpop sung in Korean.
Karie the Maknae: I love this one just as much as I love the Korean version, with the same caveat about the sax solo. Don’t tell ATEEZ, but I regularly skip the last 20 seconds of the song!
I’m The One – HEAT-TOPPING Version
MiataMama: ATEEZ has a knack for taking their already awesome discography and making an even better remix of it! (I’m looking at you, “Promise”, with the Spanish guitar!!) And this remix of “Fireworks” is no exception. According to Hongjoong, it’s nicknamed ‘heat-topping’ version because it was mixed by Edenary producers Peperoni and Oliv, and they are . . . wait for it . . . pizza toppings! *insert awkward Yeosang laugh here*
Karie the Maknae: Yep, this is a BRILLIANT remix and I love it. MiataMama is right — the ATEEZ remixes are AWESOME.
I love seeing ATEEZ climb higher and gain more recognition with each new album. Their music and performance skills are outstanding, for such a young group, and I am always excited to see what each new era brings! Are you a fellow ATINY? Just checking out ATEEZ for the first time? Tell us what you think about the newest album tracks, in the comments below!
화이팅!
MiataMama & Karie the Maknae
Dramas with a Side of Kimchi