Scandal - Kiss from the darkness (Review)

Highly popular musical projects are always a matter of debate. On the one side, the best praise is the rustling of cash. On the other side, art doesn't have to be understood by everyone. As for band Scandal, any person who is at least a little interested in the eastern music has heard about these girls. Therefore, the album released on February 12 was difficult to miss.

My Rating: 52/100 Best song: A.M.D.K.J.

I quite often listen to the album several times and only after that I start to write something. Here, one listening was enough - everything was clear from the very first seconds. The album immediately gives the impression of a typical mainstream: simple patterns, simple lyrics and a lot of pathos. The first thing that catches your eye is some strange, I would even say, avant-garde album cover. At least, this group has not seen anything like it before. What did the author want to say? One can only guess. What follows is the name of the album - is this a hint of something mysterious? And again I have to guess. It should also be noted the primitive naming of songs - this is evidence in favor of the version of weak fantasy.

Next we have the composer. Composer's work is somehow weak. It seems that there was no composer, but there were several ideas. Okay, everyone has their own methods. However, this led to a simple structure of compositions with inserts of “something”. Of course, you can argue that such music (if I'm not mistaken, this genre is called “power pop”) is simple from the beginning. But you could come up with something interesting. Members, apparently, had a different opinion.

The vocalist is good. More precisely, vocalists - there are noticeably many (more than two) voices. True, the ranges are very similar, which somehow doesn’t really add charm to vocal parts. Of course, there is one song where only the upper part of range is used, but this is hardly a variety. However, it should be noted that everything is in order here.

One can also say something about instrumental parts. Guitars - everything is pretty simple here. Somewhere you can hear songs on clean, somewhere - on overdrive. It's noticeable here that guitars are used in the simplest way - as an addition to voice. That is, this is not an independent instrument, but just another element of the overall structure. I am inclined to see this as a negative point, since it was possible to come up with something more interesting. But the rhythm section is surprisingly powerful. And if the bass player has little interesting, then drummer is really cool. There is a relative variety of drum loops, and the intensity is high (for pop music). Additional instruments should also be noted, as the situation here is less clear. Here you can hear strings (1, 11 tracks), acid (4 tracks), Hammond's organ (4 tracks), bell ringing (8 tracks), shamisen (8 tracks), piano (11 tracks) and even a drum machine (1 and 8 tracks). There is a funny situation with synthesizers: in some tracks it seems that they are not enough, while in others (for example, in track 8), it seems that there are too many of them. Perhaps due to the fact that it was invented by different people. Perhaps due to the fact that it was inserted at the very last moment. Be that as it may, I get strange sensations.

Once I heard a very apt expression: “Overrated band is any well-known band.” Because high popularity is often incompatible with the classical criteria of mastery. And these girls are just another confirmation of this regularity. Songs from this album are suitable for airplay or for anime OP. But aesthetic person like me will not enjoy listening this.

Fuki - Million Scarlets (Review)

And today I have a very high-profile novelty on my blog, which is quite difficult to resist. This preface ends, as it's Fuki, on whose track record Light Bringer, Dragon Guardian, Unlucky Morpheus, as well as a solo project of guitarist from Galneryus.

My Rating: 87/100 Best Song: Sacred Bones Riot

And when you start listening to this album, you understand that these are not just beautiful words. The first thing that catches your eye: quite a variety of ideas. This album turned out to be diverse and rich in emotions. In this case, there is no feeling of congestion and this is very important, as this indicates a high skill level. The structure of the album also looks interesting. It can be described like this: very powerful songs (1, 2 and 3 tracks), a song with a touch of mystery (4 track), a typical pop song (5 track), a typical hard-n-heavy with a piano and violin (6 track), a song with a piano (7 track), a song with an acoustic guitar (8 track), a song in the style of Gacharic Spin (9 track), typical power metal with an introduction with a piano (10 track), a typical power pop with a piano and synthesizer (11 track). That is, the listener will definitely not get bored while listening - emotions change constantly throughout the album.

Is it necessary to supplement the idea with a word about composer work? I think not. And without this, it's clear that the composer's work is magnificent. One feels a very thorough work on each artistic task. It's also impossible to say that the composer overdid it: there exactly what is needed. I mentioned above that the listener will not get bored while listening - I want to listen to every song.

At beginning of the text, I mentioned that comments are redundant here. About the same thing can be said about the vocalist. In this album she once again confirms her high status. There is no point in describing more, since here you only need to listen.

Instrumental parts sound great. There is nothing complicated here, however it's really interesting to listen. The guitarist is good. Usually I write a lot about guitar parts, but here you have to write too much - this album is very diverse. Therefore, I note only a few points. In the beginning, interesting and powerful parts that maximize the effect on emotions. In the middle, something pop-like and acoustic. And in the end, something powerful and swing. Guitarist's work is quite diverse and it's nice to know. Now about bassist. The bassist does not hear anything special. The exception is track 9, where you can hear parts in the style of Gacharic Spin (and I guess who played this part). However, the other part of rhythm section - drummer - will not let you get bored. There is a rather high intensity of rhythm section, even at an middle tempo. However, drummer boasts not only intensity, but also variety. Even pop patterns sound very bright. The only thing I don't like is the drum sampler in track 5. I don’t understand this, because there are so many synthesizers in the album, why else? By the way, about additional instruments. Here, one also feels a thorough approach to batches for additional instruments. This is not just a few notes in the editor, but a thorough work on the atmosphere.

In the end, as in the beginning, you can write a little, as this artist is a real giant of the eastern scene. And this work only once again illustrates this statement. Even despite its volume of work (these are 3 active projects), this album looks great. I can confidently say that this album will take far from the last place this year.

Mistoria - Anemos (Review)

Music critics are accustomed to the fact that a new project from popular (even if relative) musicians is quite often quite predictable. And I can understand this: there is no need to hope that the musicians are not subject to the systematic error of the survivor. But our present case in a sense stands alone.

My Rating: 63/100 Best song: Anemos

A project Trickbook played symphonic/power metal with a hint of progressive. After split-up and the creation of a new project, one could hope that there would be at least a repetition of this beautiful picture. The two leaders, the picture really turned out beautiful. But they started playing completely different music.

General idea of ​​this release is quite simple to understand, but one cannot say that it's not interesting. It's noticeable that composer wanted to compose something epic, vigorous, but at the same time melancholic, mysterious. This is a very bold statement, since only high-class professionals can afford such a combination. However, this can only be said about first track. Second track is no different in this flavor, although the description of evening mood is always a good idea.

As for the voice, everything is perfect here. More precisely, voices - this project has two vocalists with different range and this creates a pleasant contrast. This picture continues on the very impressive abilities of vocalists.

Instrumental parts, on one side, are complex, on other side - simple. However, first thing that catches your eye is the use of synthesizers and samplers. Used by professional guitarist. I don't understand one thing: it was impossible to play the guitar? Guitar here, if it appears, is acoustic, and it is difficult to hear it in mix. The choice of the other instruments is quite logical, moreover, so much so that it already seems too standard solution. However, I can't name the exact number of instruments. Similarly, I can't accurately describe the structure of instrumental parts. Second track is easier to describe: here is a piano. Such a strong contrast of the complex and simple, perhaps, will seem interesting to someone, but certainly not to me.

Yes it's beautiful. Yes, it makes a good impression. Yes, here are some interesting ideas. But with the implementation it turned out somehow not very. This happens when you try yourself in an unusual role for the first time. Well, I hope the guys will show good creative progress in the future.

RYINA - One Chance! (Review)

Among the pop artists are few personalities that I respect. Such music has a low intellectual value and for this reason is accessible to every redneck. But even here there are talented people who can make such compositions more valuable from an intellectual point of view. And today I want to tell about one of such examples - Rina Akegami and single "One Chance!".

My Rating: 72/100

Source:
tunecore.co.jp/artist/RYINA1216

Six months have passed since the previous release and this is optimal release time. I don't know if I can fully appreciate this release - I'm used to a more complex composition structure and more specific sound. But one thing is certain: this is a very great talent. Not a instincts game, only honest skill.

Overall impression is pretty good. There was an attempt to make less predictable in comparison with previous release. Attempt can not be called completely successful. But still it's worth noting that this is an interesting idea, although I don't know how many releases this will be enough. Nevertheless, composer decided to complicate the composition a little. And when listening to it makes a good impression. First song is very playful and dazed. Second is slow, but one can not say "melancholic". Release of two different songs on one single is a good decision.

And again we hear an excellent vocalist. And also here vocalist's abilities are shown evenly throughout the entire release. It's more difficult to discuss more, since this part is performed excellently. The only thing that can be added: vocal and instrumental parts are perfectly combined - work of one person is noticeable.

Instrumental parts look interesting for pop music. It's rather difficult to track the instrumental parts structure - this is evidence in favor of composer's good work. Cello plays throughout the entire first track. On second track - mainly, a piano with some additional instruments that emphasize the idea. This is also an interesting solution. Rhythm section is not very diverse, but it's also quite interesting. Interesting things start with a bass line, especially at beginning of both tracks. Slap on bass after breakdown is an interesting decision. Drums are also a pleasure. Especially in first track. Even in second track, where the tempo is low, you can hear an interesting drum loops.

In the end, I wrote very little about release. I don't know if I did it right or not - I'm used to other methods of solving artistic tasks. Perhaps I did not even understand the whole charm of this album - professionals don't have to be clear. But this does not negate the fact of having a great talent. And I hope this ears holiday will last a long time.

RYINA - Mirai Chizu (Review)

In our time it's hard to find good pop music. In most cases, modern pop music is fun for lumpen: mumbling a primitive text under the grinding one note on C1 - this is not art. At least that's how things are in the West. Quite often I look for the East in search of such music. I already have several such projects, which are worth paying attention - Coco.Ange, Julic, ect. Now it's time to open a new page - Rina Akegami.

My Rating: 68/100

Source - tunecore.co.jp/artist/RYINA1216

I'm used to complex methods of solving an artistic tasks and very specific sound. That's why it's very unusual for me to listen to such music. Nevertheless, compared to what I hear from the partyvan windows - this project like a balm for a bruised.

Overall impression is quite good - professional work is noticeable. But it seems that originally it was one composition. That is, there was one idea that was divided and implemented a little differently. I don't know if it's true or not. But this can be traced in instrumental parts - songs differ with additional instruments and bass line, and the overall motive is very similar. This can also be seen in lyrics.

Voice is quite interesting. Noticeable is minimal voice processing - vocalist is not afraid to show she's abilities. But if the first track is difficult to hear something interesting, then in the second all vocalist's charms of abilities are revealed. High notes without problems are rare for Japanese vocalists.

In instrumental parts structure, two types of instruments are very clearly traced: basic and additional. But here everything is very predictable. Piano prevails here, and piano academic sound. Too standard idea. But still it's worth paying attention to interesting scales. Also there is a synthesizer, but its moderate amount is a good solution (usually it's shoved everywhere). In first track, you can also hear a cello. But it appears only on chorus. In second track there are a lot of wind instruments - they are always associated with some special event, so these associations complement the lyrics. But again, it's only on chorus. Emphasizing the refrain with additional instruments - I can not call this idea interesting. But still there is an interesting part in the instrumental - it's a bass line. Rhythm section continues with drums. Drums have a lot of fills. It's not entirely clear why - standard (for pop music) rhythm section formula would look better.

In album "Ø ~ Birth ~" she showed all her splendor and the album was very interesting. But it was very much underestimated by listeners: 1 listening for a month in Spotify is not something that such a talent deserves. I don't know what is really happening, I can only guess. And I guess that it did its job and because of this now we hear something quite simple. But one thing is certain - it's a talent that will show its best songs in future.

Coco.Ange - Fuyu No Sei (review)

I really don't like pop music. Usually 99.9% of such music is a groan about sexual difficulties under two chords. Today I will talk about a project that relates to the remaining 0.1%.

My Rating: 78/100

I have known pretty girl Kohaku for quite some time. She is very noticeable not only because it often shows cleavage. She is quite unpredictable and it also affects its projects. Previous - Honey Trap - changed quite often. Well, next project - Coco.Ange - suffered the same fate: first we see beautiful ladies in snow-white dresses, but now the concept has been changed. However, it's even more interesting.

Here we hear some non-standard power-pop. General structure is made quite interesting. First thing you can notice is a fairly honest narrative. Winter is difficult to describe: there are a lot of snow around you, which hides many of the charms of nature, thereby slowing down life. Well, such features are well reflected in lyrics.

I can not call vocalist's abilities good. You can notice that this is a beginner. There are several segments where vocalist tries to portray diversity, but it turns out monotony. Well, here is a good perspective. And if it is really a beginner, then she's on the right track.

Instrumental is good. I would never have thought that I would write this about pop music, but here instrumental parts are very interesting. But there is a downside: you can also see that in instrumental parts a few shades are taken into account. An exception is drums. It can be assumed that instrumental was composed by one person: more participants - more shades. For example, guitar sounds very unusual. I'm used to the fact that the top strongly (after 3500Hz) is cut off. Here guitar sounds very sonorous. Or academic sound of a piano is too standard an idea. But here it is surprisingly accurately built into the methods of solving an artistic task.

And now the most important thing is why you should listen to this release. This is a rhythm section. No, I don't mean bass line, although the structure is also quite interesting. I mean drums. Very diverse structures and fills - it's easy to describe in words. Well, sometimes words become superfluous and this case is no exception.

I'm not a fan of modern pop music, but this release made a good impression on me. I can say that sometimes it's worth expanding your horizons and such a release can be great in this.

SONIC LOVER RECKLESS - PHOENIX (Review)

Whatever you say, but the 30-year frontier always changes a person. But everyone has this change in different ways. Aya Kamiki for the first 12 years of her career was another pop chick who produced one-time-listen albums. In 2015, it changed scope - now the main pattern has significantly complicated, and the lyrics have become more interesting. At first it was a band Uroboros, in which Takayoshi Omura participated. But this project did not last long. Now we see a similar project.

My rating: 81/100

Source - amazon.co.jp

Uroboros was initially doomed to a short existence - a person who yesterday came from pop music was difficult to write typical metal lirycs, and also to keep a high-ranged voice for a long time. Therefore, next project has more pop elements. At first glance, it looks boring - there standard way to hook a listeners. And if I listened once, then rating would be 50-55 out of 100. But if you listen carefully, you can notice that these girls are pretty good. A very large work of composer is noticeable. On the basis of a simple pattern, amazing compositions were created. I will say more: 99% of this result is work of composer. The remaining 1% is the clothes.

As for voice - the feelings are ambiguous. A certain musical genre is not only an hairstyle and clothes, but also a set of certain abilities. It's noticeable that vocalist is trying to apply previously obtained abilities. 12 years of career in pop music, where the requirements for vocalists are lower - and suddenly metal, where very high requirements. Applying pop singing for metal is a strange decision. Yes, compositions contain a lot of pop elements. Yes, we saw many successful examples of use pop singing in metal, for example, Fruitpochette, Land Helios or Babymetal. But it's strange decision.

Instrumental is wonderful. About such a wonderful guitarist, it's hard to say something bad - an amazing technique and exceptionally accurate performance. And where there is Miya - there is always a keyboards. Keyboards parts are inserted very successfully, complementing the beautiful imagines. This is all I can say about the instrumentalist - so beautiful performance.

I suppose that this project will not last long either - two or three years. Lovebites, where Miya is a guitarist, has a greater significance than this project. Something similar we saw with A Drop Of Joker, which was crushed by 21Grams. As for vocalist, her previous project also did not last long. However, there are reasons to assume that Uroboros was a small experiment and this project will be long-playing.