Photo credits to WAKEONE Entertainment.
ZEROBASEONE’s duo PARK GUNWOOK and MATTHEW have shown their numerous talents over the years, both during their time in their group and during their tenure on the MNET survival show Boys Planet. But, they also know that their fans demand more.
On September 21, the duo officially debuted their subunit EMP through their first mixtape ‘We the Extra.’ EMP holds double meaning; on one hand referring to “Electro Magnetic Pulse,” reflective of the unit’s ambition to create a space where they shine the brightest, and the second meaning being more straight forward: “Extra MTT (MATTHEW) PGW (PARK GUNWOOK).”
This debut mixtape has all the “extra” any fan could desire–chock full of powerful beats, smooth vocals, and varying rap flows, all packed within a 12 minute runtime. The four tracks span multiple genres, including strong Hip-Hop flavor, smooth R&B, and a warm bubbly club beat– a variety of styles that ZEROBASEONE does not often rely on in their group fare. By utilizing this varying set of styles, MATTHEW and GUNWOOK are able to show off all the “extra” they have not been able to before.
‘We the Extra’ starts off with a bold Hip-hop track “EMP,” dictating the heart of the debut. Through this song, they establish themselves as a unit not to be underestimated, aiming to leave a lasting impression on all listeners. The lyrics are a call to look at how far they’ve come and to look at their strength and determination moving forward.
We artists baby, renaissance, D’tello
…
I ain’t living in the past
Just making music and hits their ears like a blast”
The lyrics speak toward MATTHEW and GUNWOOK as artists and lyricists who strive to continue making music that changes perspectives. The beat itself is punchy and loud, and paired with the anthemic chanting of “EMP” throughout the chorus, it truly feels like MATTHEW and GUNWOOK step into a room and announce themselves as not only being here, but being here to stay.
“Woofer” continues the genre of Hip-hop, but goes darker with its baseline and beat. The confident lyrics continue, but this time, both MATTHEW and GUNWOOK rap about the fact that they built themselves up from the ground. The overt themes of desire are continued with “Woofer,” but are significantly more raw than “EMP.” The duo talk through their difficult journey of reaching the top, making “Woofer” a soundtrack to their victory.
“In your rain,” offers a switch-up midway through the EP, making it not only a unique track, but also the strongest. Through this smooth R&B track, MATTHEW and GUNWOOK show off their abilities, crooning to their audience with smooth vocals and sweet lyrics. The self-assured persona established in the previous two songs disappear, leaving the listener with the raw and vulnerable people underneath. The sheer skill and power that went into the singing on this track makes it shine, even through the rainstorm.
EMP round off the release with “Pina C,” another switch-up, which introduces a bubbly poolside club beat. The track is warm and fun, and the accompanying Sketch Film shows this as well as it focuses on the duo having fun while recording the track. While the lyrics seem to be the most generic of the lot, it serves as a wonderful refresh at the end of the album, leaving you feeling light and happy.
This mixtape is a bold statement from MATTHEW and GUNWOOK that establish them as versatile artists and showcases what they can offer.
The entire mixtape is also written by them, further showing a testament to the bold and confident voice exhibited throughout the EP. This entire project is unapologetically them from start to finish, and even though the runtime only spans 12 minutes across four songs, their message is loud and clear: they are ready to blow up all expectations about themselves and declare their place within the K-Pop genre.
Following the unit’s debut, MATTHEW teased there will be music to come from the duo, and they are excited to share even more with the fans. If it sounds like this, we could all do with a little “Extra Matthew Park Gunwook.”
Check out the album on all streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.