Song Review: ZOONIZINI (Astro) – Some Things Never Change

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: ZOONIZINI is an awful sub-unit name. I’m sure it has some special meaning as all K-pop monikers do, but saying it out loud instantly makes me feel stupider. ZOONIZINI is Astro’s third sub-unit, made up of members MJ and JinJin. Previous units delivered mixed results, but this combination seems as if it could be a lot of fun.

Let’s rephrase that with extra emphasis on “seems as if,” because Some Things Never Change is actively repelling me. It’s giving the most insipid version of early-2010’s radio pop fodder. Think: Train, B.o.B, Maroon 5, Macklemore. If those names send a shiver down your spine like they do mine, take a moment to steady yourself. It’s this specific combination of plonky white boy beat and sing-song, nursery rhyme chorus that sends me spiraling. It’s the evil twin of “catchy,” sticking in your head when you desperately want to remove it.

I don’t know what else to say beyond wondering if this particular song approach irritates others as much as it does me. I personally never want to hear it again, but there must be a big market for this sound somewhere. Mostly, Some Things Never Change has me lamenting the end of Astro’s imperial phase, which peaked with 2017’s absolutely brilliant Dream Pt. 1 album. Unfortunately, some things do change.

Grade: F