ZICO dropped a "Random Box" of summer vibes

So I was not PREPARED for a new Zico mini album, especially one filled with light, fun, summery vibes.

Overall, "Random Box" is a 10/10 for me. Zico does not disappoint. It isn't really a "random" box of songs at all, but the pop-infused tracks are fantastic and the album really shows his versatility as an artist/producer. I liked every song, the album flowed well, and it just felt like summer. Also, the collaborations on the album are *chef's kiss*

SO, let's dive right in, shall we?

1) Summer Hate (feat. Rain)

The FIRST thing I noticed the first time I listened to this song was how SEAMLESSLY Rain and Zico's voices go together! Like WOWWW. I thought I missed Rain's part the first time around, before I realized he was singing EVERY chorus.

The song is an anthem for anyone that hates the gross, hot, stickiness of summer weather. From the draining feeling of walking to a parking lot in the heat and the air conditioner blowing out warm instead of cool air, to the gross stuffiness inside and outside of the house, these lyrics cover all the annoyances. It's all the complaints about summer presented with a catchy, fun melody

I think my favorite lines would be the chorus - "It's so freaking hot, it's making me sweat. I gotta find a way to hide from the sun quickly. It's packed, people are everywhere. The Seoul heat won't cool down. I hate this summer day." It reminds me of summer in NYC...when I was still able to go out and do things. I'd complain about all the people and how hot it was, and I ran into every store I could to "browse", even though I just needed a place to cool down. I miss those things now.....big sad...anywho.

It's nice to see the parallels between the instrumentals and the lyrics, even if I am just reading into things that might not have been intended. The beginnings of each verse start out feeling a little heavy, and almost drag, much like heaviness of the summer heat. Each verse starts out complaining about the heat outside, and the preference for being indoors. They talk about being forced outside at some point, and how gross it is to even think about going outside. The instrumentals are heavier and feel sticky. It feels a little empty, leading up to the chorus.

The verses speed up between the around the sixth to seventh lines, where there are frustration and complaints about such small things in life and, again, the weather. These next few lines after sound like the rants you have just because you're hot. They aren't rants you'd have on a normal day.

There's a quick relief from the heat as the instrumentals become light and airy and almost daydream-like as Zico sings "oo yea, I wish it would rain instead" right before Rain comes in with the chorus. There's a faint, high-pitched build up to the beat drop, and when it does drop, it feels like you've been pulled from said daydream. You've plopped down in the middle of the heat again. The trap-infused beat comes back with the perfect catchy summer melody that sticks in your head all day, and you won't hate it.

Check out the MV here:

2) 만화 영화 (Cartoon)

I think this track is my favorite song off this album. It has a memorable, catchy chorus melody that stays in your head for DAYS, but you won't hate it. It'll be your favorite earworm this summer. It keeps the upbeat, pop vibe going. The song itself almost blends with the end of "Summer Hate", so you almost don't realize it's a new track until Zico begins the intro portion of the song.

"Cartoon" talks about seeing and falling for someone at first sight, and struggling to deal with the awkwardness of making any move towards a relationship. Considering the subject matter, I think the instrumentals fit the song really well. It's a cute song with a bouncing bass line and catchy melodies that really compliment Zico's rap-singing really. The use of steel drum and a subtle pan flute-like sounds give the song a tropical vibe, while the slightly syncopated textural effects and sounds create a hip-hop/pop genre feel.

I like how, as the "story" goes on, the song becomes fuller as insturments and effects are added, almost replicating growing emotions between Zico and the love interest. At the bridge, it slows down and the only instruments are an organ, claps, and the drum to back Zico's vocals, reflecting the quiet, nervous energy that comes with confessing one's feelings as Zico sings "How do you feel about writing the scenario together?" The song ends with the repeated chorus, leaving you with a happy, upbeat feeling before moving into the next song.

Check out the fun MV here:

3) Love & Hate (feat. BIBI)

I think I'll start by saying BIBI has a SUPER soothing, refreshing voice. Her voice gives the song the cool, refreshing splash of color that we needed in her quick bridge feature.

"Love & Hate" offers a nice break between the heavy hip-hop track that follows it and the poppy song the precedes it. It features the sidechained claps and compressed hi hats and beats often heard in hip-hop and trap music, which helps prepare us for the next track, while maintaining a chilled out, laid-back summer hit sound.

The song talks about the love-hate relationship between two people, comparing the relationship to Tom and Jerry. The verses are pretty minimal when it comes to instrumentals, really letting Zico's lyrics and raps shine. In the very first verse, there's a bouncing, syncopated sound that accompanies claps on the 2 and 4 beats while Zico raps on 1 and 4. It's almost he's trying to fit in his story in bits, so as to avoid arguments. As the verse approaches the pre-chorus, he begins to rap consistently, like there's frustration building up. The pre-chrous starts, and he sings about the love-hate relationship. The chorus follows, and the instrumentals an extended, fuller version of the verses' instrumentals while the lyrics more pointedly discuss the constant fighting/making up in the relationship.

The instrumentals return in their barren form, but second verse's raps aren't syncopated. Although, they do feel harsher in tone as he talks about the small, insignificant fights they have. The pre-chorus starts, but with the Sex Pistols' Sid and Nancy as the example of a turbulent relationship, and discuss how there's still only one person that can deal with this kind of relationship.

BIBI's bridge starts, and she sings "I'm sorry. Do you still love me?" before talking about temporary reconciliation since they "won't cool down tomorrow." The instrumentals fade to almost nothing. There's a faint textural melody, but no heavy beat or compressed hi hats. It's just the textural melody and her light airy voice. Shakers, which are then replaced by claps, slowly enter, and the song ends with a short duet between BIBI and Zico followed by Zico singing "Love & Hate" before the song just ends.

Give it a listen:

4) No You Can't

This track brings back the "old" Zico. "No You Can't" brings back Zico's hip-hop and aggressive rap flow in all its glory. The track OOZES self-confidence and sarcasm with lyrics like "This is my stage. This is a big festival. Come learn from me" but then say "no you can't," like you can't learn to be this good and this cool.

There's so much analysis for the lyrics that they could probably have their own post if I wanted it to. The instrumentals though are pretty straight forward. It actually sounds a bit like a diss track with its lyrics and sharp hi hats and single looped synthesized melody. The bass and 808-like hits are pretty heavy too. It just feels like the song was pulled from one of Zico's old mixtapes. It also sounds like a Tik Tok dance waiting to happen, even though there are already two song on this album with little dances. *cough cough* Any Song *cough cough* Summer Hate *cough cough*.

Give it a listen here (and turn on captions for English lyrics):

5) Roommate

I have Spotify Premium, so the little Netflix sound at the beginning really threw me off and made me think an ad was starting. It's a cute effect though, especially for a song that has a "Netflix and Chill" kind of vibe. The song itself talks about how this "roommate" is just a friend, but sometimes more. With lyrics like "The loveliest mistake of my life/Just waste my time with you" and "the sync of our heartbeats are still on point," the song leaves the aggression of the last track behind, and embraces a dreamy, movie-like vibe about falling in love and growing old with someone.

"Roommate" brings back the pop music vibe with less hip-hop, and a more R&B-inspired sounds. It's MUCH more chilled out compared to the rest of the tracks. It takes the place of the signature ballad that is on almost every kpop album. The bass and staccato guitar riffs give the song a groovy, driving sound. Actually the song sounds like it drew some inspiration from some late '90s-early 2000s music.

Check it out here (turn on captions for the English translation):

6) 아무노래 (Any Song)

Ah, we have arrived at the very first track to be released as a single. The song that started it all. This catchy, dance hall-inspired song came with a Tik Tok challenge that was pushed along by Chungha and Mamamoo's Hwasa. Even legendary musician and radio show host Yoo Hui Yeol got in on the challenge.

"Any Song" feature a repeated piano melody that has some variation of it played from pretty much beginning to end and provides a home base for the song. There's a consistent percussion part that helps move the it along as well. I appreciate that the percussion section helps bring together the various genres that are blended together in the song. There's pop, of course, a bit of hip-hop, a dash of Latin dance beats/music, and just a hint of jazz with the spontaneous brass accents. It's a well-rounded, well-produced song.

The various genres/parts of the instrumentals play into the lyrics' want for something exciting and new. There's a sense of wanting to leave the current boring, uneventful he's living. It's just an overall fun song, and the music video conveys the same amount of fun as the song.

Check it out here: