[Album Review] BASTARZ - 'Conduct Zero'

AKP STAFF

BASTARZ - 'CONDUCT ZERO'

Track List:

1. Conduct Zero
2. Charlie Chaplin
3. Thief
4. Nobody But You
5. Sue Me (feat. Incredible)
6. Conduct Zero (instr)

Block B has unleashed their new subunit BASTARZ. Composed of B-Bomb, U-Kwon, and P.O., the trio just dropped a six-track mini-album, 'Conduct Zero.' With the titular opening song penned by Zico, BASTARZ's first outing as a band should be interesting.

"Conduct Zero" is a lot of fun packed into 3 minutes! I had to play the song 2 or 3 times before I wrote anything. Why? Because it's that awesome. The name kinda sucked me in first --� it really reminded me of something sci-fi, like a bio-engineered plague. But even after finding out it's a turn-it-up and break-the-rules type song, I still like it. Sick, growly raps, EDM-inspired drops, this song is 197 seconds of awesome.

My reaction when I heard "Conduct Zero"

The boys switch gears with "Charlie Chaplin," the song's title referring to the silent film icon. Contrasting the wild abandon of the first track, "Charlie Chaplin" turns it down. Cool snaps, acoustic guitar play along with croons over a polished funk-pop backdrop. It isn't long before P.O. drops into his sweet raps. Nicely done, boys. I don't quite get the Charlie Chaplin reference, unless it has something to with the smoothness of the singer and the fact that he's trolling for chicks.

Again the feeling morphs, this time into urgency, with staccato vocals and time-changes on "Thief." The lyrics are naughty, but still firmly in the funk category. The eponymous thief here is the boys, who are "gonna steal" the girl, because she's a "sexy thing." Very catchy and danceable.��

"Nobody But You" slows it way down, with vocal pyrotechnics and a lot of falsetto.� They hit the high notes nicely. It has an ethereal quality to it that sets it apart from the feel of the rest of the album. Not that this is a bad thing -- it's pretty, and there's a certainly sensuality to it as well.

"Sue Me," full-on hip hop with a thrumming bassline and P.O.'s raps combine with Incredible's. Clocking in at 2:44, it's also the shortest song on the disc. Anything but radio-friendly, there are more than a few naughty words on this track, and it seems to have something to do with backroom deals and the like. It's still crazy catchy, and I like the raw sung parts behind the rap. Sorta reminded me of Biz Markie's "Just A Friend."

This is a solid debut by a talented trio. There are many outstanding masterful elements that make this album pop: synth slams, rebellious raps, sweet-and-cool rhythms, and spunky funk tracks. This is definitely a summer release. Crank that first track and wave your hands in the air on the way to the beach.

Recommended tracks: "Conduct Zero," "Sue Me," "Charlie Chaplin."

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