Red Velvet’s most experimental song is often considered to be “Zimzalabim,” which was released in June 2019. This song is special because it combines many different music styles, such as electronic dance music (EDM) and electropop, creating a unique and energetic sound that is reminiscent of a colorful parade. The song’s composition is notable for its funky percussive melodies, hip-hop chants, and EDM dance breaks, making it a genre-hopping track that showcases the group’s ability to experiment with various musical elements.
“Zimzalabim” was part of Red Velvet’s EP “The ReVe Festival: Day 1,” and it marked a significant moment in their musical journey as it was their first lead single to miss the top ten on the Gaon Digital Chart, peaking at number eleven. Despite this, it achieved moderate success by reaching number four on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100 and becoming their fourteenth consecutive top-ten entry on the World Digital Song Sales chart. The song also received nominations for several awards, including the Mnet Asian Music Awards and the Gaon Chart Music Awards.
The music video for “Zimzalabim” was highly praised for its creative and magical visuals, featuring elements like dancing crystalline animals and marching boots, which showcased Red Velvet’s bold approach to storytelling through music and visuals. Overall, “Zimzalabim” stands out as one of Red Velvet’s most experimental songs due to its eclectic mix of genres and its visually stunning music video.