EVERGLOW makes their comeback today with a creepy song titled ZOMBIE. It is their first comeback since last year’s SLAY, which ended a 20 month hiatus. Since that comeback, the group has been on tour in the US, Europe and Japan.

My first thought that ran through my mind when listening to ZOMBIE for the first time is that EVERGLOW’s signature synth-heavy club sound is no more. ZOMBIE is the first track that doesn’t rely so heavily on synths, opting for acoustics in the verses and a very simple yet alluring beat that brings forth a creepy atmosphere in the choruses. There was missed opportunity to build ZOMBIE into a more EVERGLOW sounding track by really amping the second half of the chorus. That easily could have slipped into an intense synth drop or club sound and ZOMBIE could still return to the acoustics in the second verse and bridge. Instead, we don’t get much out of the follow through and this makes ZOMBIE a little too consistent for my liking. ‘Too consistent’, in this case, means ‘unexciting’. Similarly, the vocal work in ZOMBIE is all similar, and so that ‘too consistent’ continues to prevail. Though the way the producers added definition via the whispery vocals in the background was pretty cool. So was the vocal work in the bridge, which was a stilling moment for me. I do like how the group kept their vocals low throughout the song, which complements that creepy atmosphere that I mentioned above. ZOMBIE‘s melodies and hooks were sleek and subtle, which is complementary to the same atmosphere above. However, I do miss the punchiness past EVERGLOW hooks have given us and the melodies do get sluggish as the song progresses. The brief drum beats and touch of strings at the end were very nice detail in the song Overall, ZOMBIE is a very different sound to what the group put out in the past. And based on the above, mixed feelings come to mind. At the moment, I feel like ZOMBIE is alright song, but I think more listens could change that (though I am not exactly sure which side I would lean then).

On the surface, the music video appears to tackle the social issues of becoming addicted to our smartphones, turning us into zombies. The members are still seen moving about with their phones, but the way they move mirrors how a zombie would feel. When you consider the lyrics of ZOMBIE in tandem, the members sing about how the emotions from a heartbreak with their former lover can turn them into zombies. The phones in the video might represents the remnants of the former lover in the members’ lives, such as memories stored in photos, videos and past messages. Their phone may also contain their former lover’s phone number, which the members could be wanting to call and reach out to. All of these memories and desires ultimately prevent them from moving on, reverting them to a zombie form. If the problem persist, it creates a void (i.e., blackhole) within them, which makes them very dangerous. I did like the spooky feel of the video, with the sterile environment of a hospital working well with that mindset. The only aspect I am unsure about is the wind storm at the end of the video.

While the song isn’t their most dynamic or intense one yet, ZOMBIE‘s choreography is actually quite good. The synchronisation definitely grab my attention and this added to the creepy factor of the comeback. The members all donning the same black hair colour and similar white dresses on their showcase stage also contributes to that same creepy factor. The “Ra Ri Ra Ri Ra” part of the routine looks to be my favourite aspect of the choreography.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10