An unconventional music ensemble that can be categorized as dark pop describes the band Zoster, who, with yet another studio album, meets all expectations.
Their fifth album, titled “Najgori,” consists of ten songs that, as one listener described, “are the best thing that happened to humanity since the discovery of beer, period, fire, and drinking water!” – and they are absolutely right!
The album begins with the song “Kuda idu svi ti ljudi” (“Where Do All These People Go”). A nostalgic reggae vibe, which pleasantly surprised me, is mostly based on the melody of the words that drive the main story. Everything that happens in the song, from the “alien” sounds of the synthesizer and drums, the melody carried by the vocals, to the transitions from verses to the chorus, draws listeners in. “Where do all these people go when they die? / The good go to heaven / And the bad go to hell / That’s how it is” – I would say they answered the initial question posed by the song title without much philosophy. A very short and sharp answer that we sometimes forget, justifying our actions in our minds in the hope of easing the burden of our conscience or avoiding facing our own mistakes.
After the question to which we received an answer, the second song from the eponymous album follows – “Najgori” (“The Worst”). A kind of dark pop composition symbolically acknowledges the band’s fears or feelings of helplessness to the audience. This musical composition represents an emotional odyssey through a labyrinth of internal struggles, while the ska rhythm brings dynamic and infectious energy, symbolizing the constant fight with one’s fears. The riffs guide us like the wind that tirelessly moves the walls of anxiety and helplessness, while the lyrics bravely open up and share intimate and dark parts of the soul with the audience. After the first listen, it is clear why they wanted to highlight this particular song by giving the album its name.
The third song, titled “Treba mi keš” (“I Need Cash”), reminds me of some compositions by the band Porto Morto, which, like Zoster, has a specific vibe that we might not initially admit suits us, but as the song progresses, it becomes more catchy and draws out something grotesque from within, something we are not used to. The satirical lyrics that somehow cast a shadow on our environment or certain societal structures in which we live are just the tip of the problem that lead vocalist Mario Knezović touched upon. And while we laugh and enjoy the satirical performance, people have become numbers in a matrix, and morality has been lost somewhere between selfies and endless celebrity news. I wonder what Mario would answer to the question, “Do we really need cash?”
In the fourth song, “Mozak na pašnjak” (“Brain on Pasture”) – for me the most concrete in terms of its message – the singer, like many artists, especially musicians, conveys the deeply emotional struggle of an individual with the burdens of life and the surrounding environment. It vividly describes the feeling of being overwhelmed, stressed, and searching for comfort and light in dark moments. The poet expresses the difficulties carried on his shoulders and the internal conflict between the choices he has made in life. The feeling of loss, the struggle for survival, and facing one’s weaknesses are experienced through challenging verses and a sound rhythm that adds intensity. The lyrics also depict the feeling of helplessness in the face of life’s adversities, but they also provide an ironic commentary on how people cope with challenges, sometimes seeking escape in substances as an illusory comfort.
We are already halfway through the album, and the songs flow into one another like dark wavy melodies leading us deeper into the mysterious world of Zoster.
Accordingly, the fifth song titled “Jesam ti rekao” (“Did I Tell You”) explores emotions of loss, pain, insecurity, and self-questioning after disappointment. The lyrics reflect the internal struggle and difficulties in dealing with such a painful experience, which is the first of its kind on the album; it’s love-oriented, sincere, emotional, powerful, and melancholic. A very interesting play on words in the chorus with the lyrics, “Don’t tell me I didn’t tell you / And I won’t tell you I told you.”
“Čovjek zvani činjenica” (“The Man Called Fact”) is the sixth song with a very interesting rhythm and exciting trumpets, which I regret are not more present throughout the album. The blend of reggae and Latin music is a hit for me, and I am sure that additional trumpets would further enrich the musical atmosphere. All in all, this song is a real refreshment that stands out for its inescapable authenticity. The theme of the song fits perfectly with the ambiance and wonderfully matches the melody and atmosphere of the composition.
When I saw the title of the seventh song “Tadija,” I honestly didn’t know what it meant or what to expect. Only towards the end of listening could I guess that Tadija is actually a character in the story facing challenges related to life decisions. The poet reflects on the “nonsense” or illogicalities of life, pondering what would have happened if there hadn’t been problems like drug addiction and betrayal. Tadija is portrayed as a character with a dark past and emotional pains who confronts the singer with the idea that he is better than him, which the singer rejects. Once again, a brilliant theme, and this time I particularly liked Mario’s deep vocals, which filled the space and added strength and emotional depth to the song.
The eighth song titled “Čovjek želi da je ptica” (“A Man Wants to Be a Bird”) reminded me of some works by Darko Rundek. Mario returns to Tadija, who again is the main character in the song. The song also reflects the human desire for change and escape from reality, but with an awareness of the limitations that exist. Nostalgically, it speaks of loss and difficulties and the challenges of life. Considering the repetition of the chorus, I assume it wants to emphasize the deep longing for change and freedom. A very interesting ending to the song, which I did not expect. I might even say I miss another chorus to round off the thought, but again, it is not necessary.
When it came to the ninth song titled “Ja sam svoje voljeno” (“I Am My Beloved”), I got the impression that I was listening to “Tadija” again, which is not necessarily a bad thing since the song kind of “embraces” you with the finger snapping at the very beginning. A very beautiful, melancholic melody on the keyboard and a phenomenal development of the song itself. The gradation of emotions and intensity of the music throughout the song further drew me into its world, creating an even better picture of the connection of the story with Tadija. A perfectly rounded story of the antagonist of the main idea.
The tenth and final song on the album, “Bajna” (“Wonderful”), is a light ballad filled with emotions and very appealing keyboard melodies in the background. As it nears the end, the song becomes more seductive, and I hope that if this “friend” really exists, Mario will welcome her arms so they can wait for the light of day together.
In conclusion, I can say that I enjoyed listening to “Najgori,” where each song carries its own story, but together they create a coherent musical experience, reflecting the complexity of the human mind and emotions.
Marin Lugović