DPR IAN - | Moodswings In To Order |

R&B POP

MITO has returned as MIITO. DPR IAN once again takes us on a dark trip. Into a thunderstorm. Guided by multiple voices. And again, DPR delivers stunning, cinematic video. 

As previously mentioned, MITO is a second persona living in Christian Yu. MITO speaks in these tracks along with some new additional voices. The voice changing and voice layering simulates conversations with the self. They sound like multiple thoughts occurring at once. 

I have to add that the creative reverb mixing in this album is superb. It can be heard across different instruments but it sounds best and most creative in the vocals. 

This creative choice in vocal mixing beautifully expresses a swarming confusion. The lyrics yearn for love and clarity. Questions demand answers in tracks like "1 Shot," "Avalon," and "Ribbon." 

Are we descending into nothing

Or is it just another reason

For us to be awake?

Beautiful orchestral swells and hits further warm the smoothness of the strings and other instruments. Format-wise, the album breaks some common ABAB structures. Refreshingly.

These songs are speckled with modified 707s that are reminiscent to 80s drum styles. (Was he using a Roland drum machine?) The subtle retro sound from the drums is perhaps further reinforced by the choice of keys.

The thunderstorm motif that is also from the first album is omnipresent in this album. I've lately been into ASMR, so I appreciate the use of sound effects. But also, this album is like an abstract painting in that you can reveal different meanings if you tilt your head a bit or focus on a certain section of the painting. 

I recommend listening to this album across different moods to find those different meanings. My favorite tracks are "Mood," "Winterfall," "Calico," and "Mr. Insanity."

Moodswings In To Order. by Dream Perfect Regime (DPR). 2022.

DPR IAN - | Moodswings in This Order |

R&B POP

Two sides of ourselves. MITO is the second, more shadowy side of artist DPR IAN. This album expresses a beautiful balance of light and dark within Christian Yu. 

The lyrics are sincere and the R&B rhythms are simple. But they both blend to manifest the complex emotions we cannot describe. 

"So Beautiful" is one of my favorite tracks. The whistling echoes a sense of loneliness. The clever use of rain and lighting of matches helps create an illusion of the environment. 

"Scaredy Cat" is also another favorite. Again, it's simple but effective in expressing complex dark emotions. I personally like to play this song. 

The incredible visuals in the music videos pair the moods being expressed in the music. 

I had this album on repeat last year. I'm very much looking forward to the sequel album releasing soon. 

Moodswings in This Order. by Dream Perfect Regime (DPR). 2021.

pinocchioP, Miku Hatsune - 'ありふれたせかいせいふく (Arifureta Sekai Seifuku)'

ELECTRONIC POP VOCALOID

Remove a bandaid, become a god. This is one of my favorite music videos. The animation and colors match the vibrancy of the song. This is the first track from pinocchioP's Obscure Questions. And it's a great start to the rest of the album. 

There's always something in the background of the song that keeps it interesting. There are some ear pleasing sound effects that are bangles and rings of music. 

The advantage of using vocaloid is that you have freedom with manipulating the vocals. Hatsune Miku sings pretty rapidly so it's unnaturally enunciated. 

I think some of the keys were also noise gated early to match that enunciation and speed of singing. 

The dynamics of adding and removing major instruments also helps maintain the song's engagement. The bridge is one of my favorites in that it helps slow down the pace. I personally like processed vocals like these in bridges. (Another favorite is Anamanaguchi's 'Prom Night'.)

I'll be posting more vocaloid favorites now that I'm obsessing over Project Diva again. 

from Obscure Questions. by EXIT TUNES. 2012.

Official HIGE DANdism - 'SWEET TWEET'

POP ROCK

Nicknamed "Higedan" which translates to "bearded man" this band has a fun obsession with mustaches. The band members where cute mustache bow ties. 

This 2015 song hooked me because of Satoshi Fushiwara's vocals. They are bright and energetic. 

The track includes thick and heavy piano chords. But it's balanced with the light melodies and solo tones from Daisuke Kosasa's guitars.

Masaki Matsuura's drums are solid. His kick and snare tones actually sounds perfect for this style. I particularly like the auxiliary percussion of triangle in the chorus. It reminds me of Two Door Cinema's implementation of their triangle to add energy.  

After checking out some live performances, I noticed and admire bassist Makoto Narasaki's dance moves. Clearly his enthusiasm is translated onto the track adding funky tones to this dance-able song. 

2019 Higedan is also "amazing". I'll later talk about their wonderfully produced album Traveler. Then you'll get the pun. (Hint: track 3)

From  ラブとピースは君の中. LASTRUM Music Entertainment Inc. 2015.

From Love To Peace Are In You.  Official髭男dism. 

kutsushita - 'Mushroom Dream'

POP ROCK

It's Japanese for socks. You don't need synths to sound this pop-y. The album is playful, sweet, and full of intention.

The lo-fi quality gives the song a laid back vibe. Combined with the deliberate and sweet vocals, kutsushita sounds like a band that just wants to jam out and say a couple of things on stage.

Turns out they made a music video involving races in a pink world.

Twitter

from きのうみたゆめ (Mushroom Dream). by DIW by diskunion. 2016.

Chook Race - | Around The House |

GARAGE POP ROCK

Melancholic state! This album is peppy with opposing melancholic lyrics. The female vocals add happy tones. The ad libs encourage sing-alongs. Go ahead. Sing-along. 

 I recommend "At Your Door" and "Lost the Ghost".

from Around the House. by Tenth Court and Trouble In Mind Records. 2016.

And Summer Club - 'In Your Bed'

lo-fi pop rock

A sweet song formulated by reverbed guitars and distant vocals. Sounds fuzzy.

And Summer Club EP. Ikume Records. 2015.

Ex Cops - 'White Noise'

ALTERNATIVE POP ROCK

High energy bouncing. Instrumentally, the track adds full instrumental tracks on top of on another. And the fierce vocals will have you pushing for more.

Daggers. Downtown Records. 2013.

Post Modern Team - 'I Just Wanna Make Love To You'

ELECTROCLASH POP

Dance track with funky guitars.

I also recommend an early indie pop rock track, Heartbreak.

From Japan - the country, not a record label.

Babes - 'Isn't It Love'

POP ROCK

Melancholic sound to the end-of-summer melancholy. The track includes sweet vocals accompanied by a soft acoustic guitar. A lazy guitar, keys, and drums sneak in...eventually.

From Babes (2014) by Harvest Records.

of Montreal - 'Belle Glade Missionaries'

INDIE ROCK, POP PSYCHEDELIC 

A 60's vibe. Twangy guitars with happy tambourines on top of organ chords. An explorative album put together in three weeks.

From the album Lousy with Sylvianbriar (2013)

James Supercave - 'The Right Thing'

ART POP ROCK, HIP-HOP

Electronic pop. Orchestral and soulful. Loving that voice range~

From The Afternoon (2014)

Album: Elastic Summer EP ; Artist: Elastic Summer

Elastic Summer: Elastic Summer EP, 4 tracks

Assumed Genre	Pop, Pop rock
Album	Elastic Summer EP
Label	None
Bandcamp Link	http://elasticsummer.bandcamp.com/

Vocals	Rebecca Arrango
Guitar	Joe Schumacher
Drums	Michael Whalen
Bassist	Bryan Percivall

Elastic Summer is a great band from New York with a summery sound I've been enjoying this June. I stumbled upon this band on youtube doing a Strokes cover song.  A very good one, too.

The Band: Rebecca, Joe, Michael, and Bryan

The percussion choice makes me feel like I'm on an island listening to a local band. Snaps and steel drums successfully compliment the compositions.

The lyrics in all songs are absolutely wonderful through great use of figurative language like alliteration, assonance, and consonance. There's a lot of imagery in the lyrics, too. Here are SOME of my favorite lyrics to say because I love how they roll of my tongue.

"hurry like a hurricane" - "Disaster"

"coconuts and butter and black beans" - "Coconuts"

"sudden drizzle drops in my sugar spoon" - "June Gloom"

And of course, the lead singer Rebecca Arrango sings mellifluously. The quivers when she holds notes make her voice unique. Other singers do the same, but I think she's one of the few who pulls it off.

Unfortunately, I don't think Elastic Summer is still together. I did some research and found out that Arrango is editor for the LA Canvas. (http://www.lacanvas.com/).