Lorde,
Solar Power Oh.
I didn't have a good feeling about this album right from the start. "Solar Power" was a highly underwhelming single after 4 years and the cover was so awful I couldn't believe it was real. I wasn't expecting Melodrama 2, I mean that is one of those special once in a career albums that can never be topped. But this album was still underwhelming.
The new sound was alright but a lot of the songs sounded similar and it was a very dull feeling record. A few tracks like "Mood Ring" really popped out and had nice instrumentation. The opening song "The Path" was very good as well. But in a way this album feels like a friend that you can't relate to anymore. I felt connected to Lorde's songs like "The Louvre", "A World Alone" and "Supercut" on a tonal level. But on this album, I don't know. I ain't feeling it. Even the lyrics, they didn't stand out to me.
I'll give it another try and see if it grows on me but my first impressions are "meh".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P103bWMdvtA BiSH,
GOiNG TO DESTRUCTiON I've only listened to this once so far, and I even got the deluxe edition, but my first impressions are good.
There are some really solid tunes here and some of the BiSH edge. "STORY OF DUTY" was a real return to their beginnings. "Kuruu Kuruu" has some really interesting weird verses. The choruses could be from EMPiRE or any other WACK group though. It didn't really feel like BiSH. "in case..." and "ZENSHiN ZENREi" are the most rocking songs, they're good. I feel the album has too many ballads but atleast they aren't boring.
BiSH songs tend to grow on me over time. Ones that I first thought were dull like "Superhero Music" become favorites. So with more listens this album could be really solid. Still, GOiNG TO DESTRUCTiON flows well and is an enjoyable listen. BiSH is past their prime but I'm happy they're still around as a group. The video for "STACKiNG" is great, I love Ayuni as an old fashioned paper boy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_6uaeq1dLUJapanese Breakfast,
Jubilee Now this is a really great album that I didn't expect.
I thought her last album was meh but this one is awesome. I've listened to it a few times and it's a record I'm sure I'll continue to put on when the mood hits. Jubilee has an excellent vibe and strong songs. They're catchy, instrumentally great, and Michelle's vocals are lovely here. She really hit a creative high here. All the songs are great and there is enough variety to keep it interesting. "Be Sweet" is a really strong Indie Pop jam. "Slide Tackle" is my favorite song here. "Posing in Bondage", "Savage Good Boy" and "In Hell" are the other highlights. This is certainly my favorite release of 2021 so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-EMiEpXLJg SCANDAL's latest single "Ivory" has Mami on vocals! This is another great song, I love to hear her vocals. SCANDAL is cooking up something great, their previous single "Eternal" was fantastic as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B88LWNUwuNM I didn't post about Miku from BAND-MAID's solo project cluppo. At first it seemed like an April Fools joke but now we have a second song and video. "PEACE&LOVE" was a pretty great song. I really liked this one and just hearing Miku sing more is awesome. She has a really solid voice and every BAND-MAID song she sings lead on is awesome. This song has a nice style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR-FPvYgPjM "Flapping wings" is not as good. I feel like the mix is off and some instrumental elements are too overbearing here. The tune itself is alright, but the keyboard strings gotta chill out. Still I hope for an EP or something from cluppo, I just want to hear more Miku songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0cr7nh6NCI