fitear1590

when it comes to music, art, literature, etc., your excitement is fully justified by your own subjective experience of the aesthetic object itself. it doesn't matter that you can't find anyone who feels exactly the same way as you (even though that might be nice), because your excitement shouldn't be contingent on their excitement in the first place. why should that be the case? there's also no such thing as not being allowed to be excited (what does that even mean..?).
 
when people who reasonably differ from your position explain why they don't like something, it's always better to take what they say as an invitation to understand why they don't like x, instead of why you are wrong to like x. this distinction is important because for most intents and purposes, aesthetic statements remain in the realm of the descriptive and don't enter the prescriptive (e.g. "so-and-so ought to like/dislike x"). (an interesting digression: the Emotivists were a group of philosophers who collapsed this difference and asserted that all moral statements such as 'murder is wrong' are effectively nothing but statements about personal taste--needless to say their arguments weren't taken very seriously at all.)
 
alternatively you can ignore everyone who disagrees with you and resist the temptation to engage with them.
 
honestly if i'm only allowed to get excited over releases that have been "approved" by other people i'd be out of this forum long ago. and if there's one thing i've learned it's that agreeing to disagree is one of the most important skills of surviving the Internet without risking a severe stroke.
 
 
p.s.: i like the song!

I agree with the Kiryu statement completely I know exactly what you mean.
(listen to BENJO for the vocals)

At this moment I can only recall「便所」having it's Kiryu-ish moments (especially towards the end of the song). But throughout the mini album there were instances that it reminded me a bit of Kiryu's first songs. But like I said it might have just been me.

Ooh, now I'm interested. Could you point me to the songs that were particularly Kiryu-ish?

@Seimeisen - that codomo dragon song is nice!
@doombox - This Liraizo song is pretty great. I still need to try that TOWA TEI album, but it sounds promising. Purple Stone sounds nice too and I can see the DIV comparison. Really like the music for Does It Escape Again, but the vocal style isn't quite my thing.
@fitear1590 - this UNiTE. song sounds like a J-indie-pop/rock song with vk vocals, ahaha. PELICAN FANCLUB reminds me of western indie, which is cool. Seems to be more and more Japanese bands getting into this kind of sound lately. Minami Kitasono sounds great too. Very retro, but also very animated and imaginative.
@beni - Galileo Galilei song is pretty good, nice pick! I didn't like that 東京カランコロン song when I first heard it, and I kinda hate that they've basically become an all-around time jpop band, but after hearing it so many times watching 'shokugeki no soma', it's difficult not to like. Shame they didn't keep that as the ED...that oomori seiko track is irredeemable tho
 

Whether it's a sample or simply replayed (sounds like it could be), the riff is basically played in the same manner and used in the same way for both songs, with no real attempt to alter or enhance it. Granted, the rest of the song is different enough that's it doesn't really matter. As for toe, it's good and a bit different for them, but I'd sooner recommend their first two albums.

Overall, I like these samples better than UN-DEADHOUSE.
 
But everyone seems to eat that shit up, right?

I think Souiumono have always had a pleasant "robustness" to their heavy songs and SACCI is an amazing clean vocalist with some very signature melodies. Those two things alone should set them apart from your average indies VK gonna-disband-in-three-months trendy stuff that still manages to garner hype, so I'm still wondering why Souiumono aren't more popular, even if their earlier stuff was more original? It's not like they had a lot of adoring fans (at least, overseas ones) then, either.

Thank you for the reviews everybody
My vote was to: Aimer
@@Seimeisen
Fatal Error Race was a great song for sure, when I get both songs I played it for more than 3 hours in a row.
W.O.D II and FER complete each other when playing together, this become another positive point.
@@CAT5 & @beni:
Aimer has a stunning and strong voice, I got to listen to the full album, and my favorite is still 誰か、海を。, but from the two you both mentioned is LAST STARDUST, also both MOON RIVER are cool too.
@
About DADAROMA, hmm, I prefer 腐ったミカンの方程式, but nothing I can say, "wow, amazing".
I always think that Yoshiatsu could bring back his Crazy Shampoo style and stop this ""heavy"" with DADAROMA.
My list ↓

BORN – オルテナ
This song is perfect for my ears, the way Ryoga sings as always, is amazing together with the others.
No more words, only much love♡

BORN – 坩堝
A song that is like something you can found easily on some old album from the band like VIGOUR. Than around 1,33 min I kind remember of an old Transformers PS2 game loading, that was kind nostalgic.

BORN – foxy foxy
A perfect ballad from BORN, I was missing this type of song from them. In some moments, remind me about ProudiA and Sakura.
The piano, the guitars, with Ryoga's is so beautiful.
Should be because of this, that foxy foxy get 1st place on oricon.

Moran – 幸福についての尺度
A song with the pure essence of Moran, with Hitomi's outstanding voice, the band was able to make a "magic goodbye song" on their last single, that's is wonderful.
To be honesty, I cried when listening to it at first.

SEKAI NO OWARI – ANTI HERO
After some releases, SNOW have get back in action for me, this time with ANTI HERO, a song pretty different in instrumental elements and a darker atmosphere from Dragon Night and 炎と森のカーニバル.
I think they tried this new atmosphere and lyrics in full engrish for Attack on Titan movie, but they should continue with this because the have quality for it.

There was so much cool stuff this month. I have to say I really enjoyed the Lament. and Pelican Fanclub (I get some aweseome Vampire Weekend vibes from them!!) as far as totally new to me finds. There really wasn't anything this month I disliked, tbh. So listing everything I enjoyed would be, well... everything! haha. 
 
Nice job, everyone. <3

A real shame that SuG's "teenAge dream" wasn't mentioned seeing as the song itself marks SuG's (eventual) return to form (BLACK already showcased it but I am expecting more obvious signs) - as for anything else vk-related, don't count my commentaries in  (I am not really in touch with the scene, except for a few acts).
 
 
As for the "non-VK" department, I was actually pleased with Fitz' choices (no no no, don't blame me for favoritism lol) and really intending to give them a chance once I get over my nostalgia ventures I'll keep that new Toe in my mind as well...
 
Ps. new SEKAI NO OWARI ain't half-bad either - very odd tie-in choice though!
 
@@CAT5: We cannot call Yumi's song "blatant stealing" if the said riff happens to be sampled from Usher's track (god knows how much they modified the said snippet - it's 2k15 fhs). Someone has to up single sleeves so we could see those credits
 
Thumbs up to for TOWA TEI, btw!

All original members will perform!

Artist: My Fairytale Single: 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei) 1. 鳥籠トロイメライ 2. トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion) 3. 白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology)
Rating: | Rejoice! Fresh new VK talent! Oh wait, they're going on hiatus...
 
My Fairytale is a newcomer to the VK scene, having formed in mid-2014. I first caught wind of them as I was crafting my 2014 EOTY list. To quote my colleague @Jigsaw9, their “IKEA kei” look lured me in and I decided to give their previews a listen on YouTube—let’s just say their Tokyo under note maxi-single was a last-minute entry to the “honorable mention” section of my list. Flash forward to summer 2015 and now, we have the band’s next single 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei). This makes me happy not only because we get to hear more from them, but because they are the latest in the trend of VK bands using random German loan words—yasss, I mean, jasss! Even from the song titles, you can sense the sort of fanciful world My Fairytale is trying to conjure, so let’s travel down the rabbit hole!

Light as a feather, the title track begins with twinkling piano, compounded shortly after with an eruption of ethereal, twangy guitarwork and vibrant basslines. The bass is surprisingly prominent, considering the fact that their bassist left earlier this year due to the ever-original “musical differences.” Other highlights include a pleasant guitar solo and some bars featuring elegant waltz-y time signatures. Kudos to drummer Neo for this compositional beauty; he seems to do a lot of the heavy lifting in the band’s songwriting! Music aside, one of the best parts of the track (and the band, let’s be real) is vocalist Kate. I’ve probably overstated my preference on MH for clear, higher-pitched male vocals, but let it be known that Kate has quickly become a new favorite! In fact, with his voice and the soft, evocative music, I’d even argue that 'torikago träumerei" is an exemplary piece of modern “white kei.” The Zephyr fan inside me approves! Now, I just need a washed out, misty PV on a bright white backdrop and we’ll be all set.

The delicate mood is shaken up with track two. “トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion)” features a steady electronic element throughout, calling to mind Moran’s heavy beat-driven tracks like “今夜、月の無い海岸で (tonight, at the seaside without the moon)”. My Fairytale’s take is a bit more mischievous sounding though, channeling hints of that LIPHLICH-esque cabaret atmosphere and chugging along with a groovy momentum that emanates throughout the track. Though there’s nothing to dislike here, the track is a bit one-note, not treading too much unpredictable territory. However, “trickart gothic mansion” does serve as an effective transition into the last track, which continues the dark, cheeky feel and infuses it with a zippy “Latin” vibe. Lively acoustic guitar graces us from the very beginning of the single’s closer, “白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology),” making for a “shuffly” quality. One of my favorite parts of this song is the dramatic bridge before each chorus, featuring creepy melodies and epic drumming. The acoustic guitar solo and the following interlude are simple, but gorgeous and bring back the band’s signature piano. And there you have it!

Naturally, I gravitate mainly towards the title track, but I'm also starting to come around to tracks two and three. What becomes crystal clear with this single is that the band can dabble in any number of genres and still deliver beautiful music. After Tokyo under note, I thought their dark piano-driven sound would be their signature style. However, after listening to previews of their debut live-limited single and hearing torikago träumerei, My Fairytale appear intent on making the stylistic rounds--the way they are performing so far, I say, more power to them! I would say that it has me excited for whatever they do next, but @Trombe just broke the news that both guitarists are also departing and the band will go on hiatus. While this is pretty devastating, there might be a glimmer of hope, because drummer Neo (ostensibly, the lead composer) is still with the group. Will he and Kate be able to revive My Fairytale with new members? All I can say is I hope so. It would be a shame for yet another VK band with so much potential to dissolve before they even have a chance to soar.

What did you think of the single?


Support the band! Purchase @ CDJapan
Purchase @ HMV
Purchase @ YesAsia

I'm just going off of my German knowledge, but I believe this user meant "current" with the term "actual" (aktuell). That should help to clear up the original post's questions.

Damn, I wish they were all wearing hats
Here for Hat-zaki tho.

iirc, you've played music from this band on plug and I recall enjoying it.
Haven't heard this single, but that 3rd sample sounds pretty decent. I really admire their look in that pic btw - it's a bit subtle, yet striking and classy at the same time.

Artist: My Fairytale Single: 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei) 1. 鳥籠トロイメライ 2. トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion) 3. 白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology)
Rating: | Rejoice! Fresh new VK talent! Oh wait, they're going on hiatus...
 
My Fairytale is a newcomer to the VK scene, having formed in mid-2014. I first caught wind of them as I was crafting my 2014 EOTY list. To quote my colleague @Jigsaw9, their “IKEA kei” look lured me in and I decided to give their previews a listen on YouTube—let’s just say their Tokyo under note maxi-single was a last-minute entry to the “honorable mention” section of my list. Flash forward to summer 2015 and now, we have the band’s next single 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei). This makes me happy not only because we get to hear more from them, but because they are the latest in the trend of VK bands using random German loan words—yasss, I mean, jasss! Even from the song titles, you can sense the sort of fanciful world My Fairytale is trying to conjure, so let’s travel down the rabbit hole!

Light as a feather, the title track begins with twinkling piano, compounded shortly after with an eruption of ethereal, twangy guitarwork and vibrant basslines. The bass is surprisingly prominent, considering the fact that their bassist left earlier this year due to the ever-original “musical differences.” Other highlights include a pleasant guitar solo and some bars featuring elegant waltz-y time signatures. Kudos to drummer Neo for this compositional beauty; he seems to do a lot of the heavy lifting in the band’s songwriting! Music aside, one of the best parts of the track (and the band, let’s be real) is vocalist Kate. I’ve probably overstated my preference on MH for clear, higher-pitched male vocals, but let it be known that Kate has quickly become a new favorite! In fact, with his voice and the soft, evocative music, I’d even argue that 'torikago träumerei" is an exemplary piece of modern “white kei.” The Zephyr fan inside me approves! Now, I just need a washed out, misty PV on a bright white backdrop and we’ll be all set.

The delicate mood is shaken up with track two. “トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion)” features a steady electronic element throughout, calling to mind Moran’s heavy beat-driven tracks like “今夜、月の無い海岸で (tonight, at the seaside without the moon)”. My Fairytale’s take is a bit more mischievous sounding though, channeling hints of that LIPHLICH-esque cabaret atmosphere and chugging along with a groovy momentum that emanates throughout the track. Though there’s nothing to dislike here, the track is a bit one-note, not treading too much unpredictable territory. However, “trickart gothic mansion” does serve as an effective transition into the last track, which continues the dark, cheeky feel and infuses it with a zippy “Latin” vibe. Lively acoustic guitar graces us from the very beginning of the single’s closer, “白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology),” making for a “shuffly” quality. One of my favorite parts of this song is the dramatic bridge before each chorus, featuring creepy melodies and epic drumming. The acoustic guitar solo and the following interlude are simple, but gorgeous and bring back the band’s signature piano. And there you have it!

Naturally, I gravitate mainly towards the title track, but I'm also starting to come around to tracks two and three. What becomes crystal clear with this single is that the band can dabble in any number of genres and still deliver beautiful music. After Tokyo under note, I thought their dark piano-driven sound would be their signature style. However, after listening to previews of their debut live-limited single and hearing torikago träumerei, My Fairytale appear intent on making the stylistic rounds--the way they are performing so far, I say, more power to them! I would say that it has me excited for whatever they do next, but @Trombe just broke the news that both guitarists are also departing and the band will go on hiatus. While this is pretty devastating, there might be a glimmer of hope, because drummer Neo (ostensibly, the lead composer) is still with the group. Will he and Kate be able to revive My Fairytale with new members? All I can say is I hope so. It would be a shame for yet another VK band with so much potential to dissolve before they even have a chance to soar.

What did you think of the single?


Support the band! Purchase @ CDJapan
Purchase @ HMV
Purchase @ YesAsia

Artist: My Fairytale Single: 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei) 1. 鳥籠トロイメライ 2. トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion) 3. 白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology)
Rating: | Rejoice! Fresh new VK talent! Oh wait, they're going on hiatus...
 
My Fairytale is a newcomer to the VK scene, having formed in mid-2014. I first caught wind of them as I was crafting my 2014 EOTY list. To quote my colleague @Jigsaw9, their “IKEA kei” look lured me in and I decided to give their previews a listen on YouTube—let’s just say their Tokyo under note maxi-single was a last-minute entry to the “honorable mention” section of my list. Flash forward to summer 2015 and now, we have the band’s next single 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei). This makes me happy not only because we get to hear more from them, but because they are the latest in the trend of VK bands using random German loan words—yasss, I mean, jasss! Even from the song titles, you can sense the sort of fanciful world My Fairytale is trying to conjure, so let’s travel down the rabbit hole!

Light as a feather, the title track begins with twinkling piano, compounded shortly after with an eruption of ethereal, twangy guitarwork and vibrant basslines. The bass is surprisingly prominent, considering the fact that their bassist left earlier this year due to the ever-original “musical differences.” Other highlights include a pleasant guitar solo and some bars featuring elegant waltz-y time signatures. Kudos to drummer Neo for this compositional beauty; he seems to do a lot of the heavy lifting in the band’s songwriting! Music aside, one of the best parts of the track (and the band, let’s be real) is vocalist Kate. I’ve probably overstated my preference on MH for clear, higher-pitched male vocals, but let it be known that Kate has quickly become a new favorite! In fact, with his voice and the soft, evocative music, I’d even argue that 'torikago träumerei" is an exemplary piece of modern “white kei.” The Zephyr fan inside me approves! Now, I just need a washed out, misty PV on a bright white backdrop and we’ll be all set.

The delicate mood is shaken up with track two. “トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion)” features a steady electronic element throughout, calling to mind Moran’s heavy beat-driven tracks like “今夜、月の無い海岸で (tonight, at the seaside without the moon)”. My Fairytale’s take is a bit more mischievous sounding though, channeling hints of that LIPHLICH-esque cabaret atmosphere and chugging along with a groovy momentum that emanates throughout the track. Though there’s nothing to dislike here, the track is a bit one-note, not treading too much unpredictable territory. However, “trickart gothic mansion” does serve as an effective transition into the last track, which continues the dark, cheeky feel and infuses it with a zippy “Latin” vibe. Lively acoustic guitar graces us from the very beginning of the single’s closer, “白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology),” making for a “shuffly” quality. One of my favorite parts of this song is the dramatic bridge before each chorus, featuring creepy melodies and epic drumming. The acoustic guitar solo and the following interlude are simple, but gorgeous and bring back the band’s signature piano. And there you have it!

Naturally, I gravitate mainly towards the title track, but I'm also starting to come around to tracks two and three. What becomes crystal clear with this single is that the band can dabble in any number of genres and still deliver beautiful music. After Tokyo under note, I thought their dark piano-driven sound would be their signature style. However, after listening to previews of their debut live-limited single and hearing torikago träumerei, My Fairytale appear intent on making the stylistic rounds--the way they are performing so far, I say, more power to them! I would say that it has me excited for whatever they do next, but @Trombe just broke the news that both guitarists are also departing and the band will go on hiatus. While this is pretty devastating, there might be a glimmer of hope, because drummer Neo (ostensibly, the lead composer) is still with the group. Will he and Kate be able to revive My Fairytale with new members? All I can say is I hope so. It would be a shame for yet another VK band with so much potential to dissolve before they even have a chance to soar.

What did you think of the single?


Support the band! Purchase @ CDJapan
Purchase @ HMV
Purchase @ YesAsia

thank u! art kei isnt dead yet its JUST....ON....HIATUS.................

Artist: My Fairytale Single: 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei) 1. 鳥籠トロイメライ 2. トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion) 3. 白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology)
Rating: | Rejoice! Fresh new VK talent! Oh wait, they're going on hiatus...
 
My Fairytale is a newcomer to the VK scene, having formed in mid-2014. I first caught wind of them as I was crafting my 2014 EOTY list. To quote my colleague @Jigsaw9, their “IKEA kei” look lured me in and I decided to give their previews a listen on YouTube—let’s just say their Tokyo under note maxi-single was a last-minute entry to the “honorable mention” section of my list. Flash forward to summer 2015 and now, we have the band’s next single 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei). This makes me happy not only because we get to hear more from them, but because they are the latest in the trend of VK bands using random German loan words—yasss, I mean, jasss! Even from the song titles, you can sense the sort of fanciful world My Fairytale is trying to conjure, so let’s travel down the rabbit hole!

Light as a feather, the title track begins with twinkling piano, compounded shortly after with an eruption of ethereal, twangy guitarwork and vibrant basslines. The bass is surprisingly prominent, considering the fact that their bassist left earlier this year due to the ever-original “musical differences.” Other highlights include a pleasant guitar solo and some bars featuring elegant waltz-y time signatures. Kudos to drummer Neo for this compositional beauty; he seems to do a lot of the heavy lifting in the band’s songwriting! Music aside, one of the best parts of the track (and the band, let’s be real) is vocalist Kate. I’ve probably overstated my preference on MH for clear, higher-pitched male vocals, but let it be known that Kate has quickly become a new favorite! In fact, with his voice and the soft, evocative music, I’d even argue that 'torikago träumerei" is an exemplary piece of modern “white kei.” The Zephyr fan inside me approves! Now, I just need a washed out, misty PV on a bright white backdrop and we’ll be all set.

The delicate mood is shaken up with track two. “トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion)” features a steady electronic element throughout, calling to mind Moran’s heavy beat-driven tracks like “今夜、月の無い海岸で (tonight, at the seaside without the moon)”. My Fairytale’s take is a bit more mischievous sounding though, channeling hints of that LIPHLICH-esque cabaret atmosphere and chugging along with a groovy momentum that emanates throughout the track. Though there’s nothing to dislike here, the track is a bit one-note, not treading too much unpredictable territory. However, “trickart gothic mansion” does serve as an effective transition into the last track, which continues the dark, cheeky feel and infuses it with a zippy “Latin” vibe. Lively acoustic guitar graces us from the very beginning of the single’s closer, “白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology),” making for a “shuffly” quality. One of my favorite parts of this song is the dramatic bridge before each chorus, featuring creepy melodies and epic drumming. The acoustic guitar solo and the following interlude are simple, but gorgeous and bring back the band’s signature piano. And there you have it!

Naturally, I gravitate mainly towards the title track, but I'm also starting to come around to tracks two and three. What becomes crystal clear with this single is that the band can dabble in any number of genres and still deliver beautiful music. After Tokyo under note, I thought their dark piano-driven sound would be their signature style. However, after listening to previews of their debut live-limited single and hearing torikago träumerei, My Fairytale appear intent on making the stylistic rounds--the way they are performing so far, I say, more power to them! I would say that it has me excited for whatever they do next, but @Trombe just broke the news that both guitarists are also departing and the band will go on hiatus. While this is pretty devastating, there might be a glimmer of hope, because drummer Neo (ostensibly, the lead composer) is still with the group. Will he and Kate be able to revive My Fairytale with new members? All I can say is I hope so. It would be a shame for yet another VK band with so much potential to dissolve before they even have a chance to soar.

What did you think of the single?


Support the band! Purchase @ CDJapan
Purchase @ HMV
Purchase @ YesAsia

Don't jinx it! I'm naively believing this will just be a hiatus!
Be sure to check out the Tokyo under note single too

Artist: My Fairytale Single: 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei) 1. 鳥籠トロイメライ 2. トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion) 3. 白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology)
Rating: | Rejoice! Fresh new VK talent! Oh wait, they're going on hiatus...
 
My Fairytale is a newcomer to the VK scene, having formed in mid-2014. I first caught wind of them as I was crafting my 2014 EOTY list. To quote my colleague @Jigsaw9, their “IKEA kei” look lured me in and I decided to give their previews a listen on YouTube—let’s just say their Tokyo under note maxi-single was a last-minute entry to the “honorable mention” section of my list. Flash forward to summer 2015 and now, we have the band’s next single 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei). This makes me happy not only because we get to hear more from them, but because they are the latest in the trend of VK bands using random German loan words—yasss, I mean, jasss! Even from the song titles, you can sense the sort of fanciful world My Fairytale is trying to conjure, so let’s travel down the rabbit hole!

Light as a feather, the title track begins with twinkling piano, compounded shortly after with an eruption of ethereal, twangy guitarwork and vibrant basslines. The bass is surprisingly prominent, considering the fact that their bassist left earlier this year due to the ever-original “musical differences.” Other highlights include a pleasant guitar solo and some bars featuring elegant waltz-y time signatures. Kudos to drummer Neo for this compositional beauty; he seems to do a lot of the heavy lifting in the band’s songwriting! Music aside, one of the best parts of the track (and the band, let’s be real) is vocalist Kate. I’ve probably overstated my preference on MH for clear, higher-pitched male vocals, but let it be known that Kate has quickly become a new favorite! In fact, with his voice and the soft, evocative music, I’d even argue that 'torikago träumerei" is an exemplary piece of modern “white kei.” The Zephyr fan inside me approves! Now, I just need a washed out, misty PV on a bright white backdrop and we’ll be all set.

The delicate mood is shaken up with track two. “トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion)” features a steady electronic element throughout, calling to mind Moran’s heavy beat-driven tracks like “今夜、月の無い海岸で (tonight, at the seaside without the moon)”. My Fairytale’s take is a bit more mischievous sounding though, channeling hints of that LIPHLICH-esque cabaret atmosphere and chugging along with a groovy momentum that emanates throughout the track. Though there’s nothing to dislike here, the track is a bit one-note, not treading too much unpredictable territory. However, “trickart gothic mansion” does serve as an effective transition into the last track, which continues the dark, cheeky feel and infuses it with a zippy “Latin” vibe. Lively acoustic guitar graces us from the very beginning of the single’s closer, “白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology),” making for a “shuffly” quality. One of my favorite parts of this song is the dramatic bridge before each chorus, featuring creepy melodies and epic drumming. The acoustic guitar solo and the following interlude are simple, but gorgeous and bring back the band’s signature piano. And there you have it!

Naturally, I gravitate mainly towards the title track, but I'm also starting to come around to tracks two and three. What becomes crystal clear with this single is that the band can dabble in any number of genres and still deliver beautiful music. After Tokyo under note, I thought their dark piano-driven sound would be their signature style. However, after listening to previews of their debut live-limited single and hearing torikago träumerei, My Fairytale appear intent on making the stylistic rounds--the way they are performing so far, I say, more power to them! I would say that it has me excited for whatever they do next, but @Trombe just broke the news that both guitarists are also departing and the band will go on hiatus. While this is pretty devastating, there might be a glimmer of hope, because drummer Neo (ostensibly, the lead composer) is still with the group. Will he and Kate be able to revive My Fairytale with new members? All I can say is I hope so. It would be a shame for yet another VK band with so much potential to dissolve before they even have a chance to soar.

What did you think of the single?


Support the band! Purchase @ CDJapan
Purchase @ HMV
Purchase @ YesAsia

Artist: My Fairytale Single: 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei) 1. 鳥籠トロイメライ 2. トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion) 3. 白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology)
Rating: | Rejoice! Fresh new VK talent! Oh wait, they're going on hiatus...
 
My Fairytale is a newcomer to the VK scene, having formed in mid-2014. I first caught wind of them as I was crafting my 2014 EOTY list. To quote my colleague @Jigsaw9, their “IKEA kei” look lured me in and I decided to give their previews a listen on YouTube—let’s just say their Tokyo under note maxi-single was a last-minute entry to the “honorable mention” section of my list. Flash forward to summer 2015 and now, we have the band’s next single 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei). This makes me happy not only because we get to hear more from them, but because they are the latest in the trend of VK bands using random German loan words—yasss, I mean, jasss! Even from the song titles, you can sense the sort of fanciful world My Fairytale is trying to conjure, so let’s travel down the rabbit hole!

Light as a feather, the title track begins with twinkling piano, compounded shortly after with an eruption of ethereal, twangy guitarwork and vibrant basslines. The bass is surprisingly prominent, considering the fact that their bassist left earlier this year due to the ever-original “musical differences.” Other highlights include a pleasant guitar solo and some bars featuring elegant waltz-y time signatures. Kudos to drummer Neo for this compositional beauty; he seems to do a lot of the heavy lifting in the band’s songwriting! Music aside, one of the best parts of the track (and the band, let’s be real) is vocalist Kate. I’ve probably overstated my preference on MH for clear, higher-pitched male vocals, but let it be known that Kate has quickly become a new favorite! In fact, with his voice and the soft, evocative music, I’d even argue that 'torikago träumerei" is an exemplary piece of modern “white kei.” The Zephyr fan inside me approves! Now, I just need a washed out, misty PV on a bright white backdrop and we’ll be all set.

The delicate mood is shaken up with track two. “トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion)” features a steady electronic element throughout, calling to mind Moran’s heavy beat-driven tracks like “今夜、月の無い海岸で (tonight, at the seaside without the moon)”. My Fairytale’s take is a bit more mischievous sounding though, channeling hints of that LIPHLICH-esque cabaret atmosphere and chugging along with a groovy momentum that emanates throughout the track. Though there’s nothing to dislike here, the track is a bit one-note, not treading too much unpredictable territory. However, “trickart gothic mansion” does serve as an effective transition into the last track, which continues the dark, cheeky feel and infuses it with a zippy “Latin” vibe. Lively acoustic guitar graces us from the very beginning of the single’s closer, “白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology),” making for a “shuffly” quality. One of my favorite parts of this song is the dramatic bridge before each chorus, featuring creepy melodies and epic drumming. The acoustic guitar solo and the following interlude are simple, but gorgeous and bring back the band’s signature piano. And there you have it!

Naturally, I gravitate mainly towards the title track, but I'm also starting to come around to tracks two and three. What becomes crystal clear with this single is that the band can dabble in any number of genres and still deliver beautiful music. After Tokyo under note, I thought their dark piano-driven sound would be their signature style. However, after listening to previews of their debut live-limited single and hearing torikago träumerei, My Fairytale appear intent on making the stylistic rounds--the way they are performing so far, I say, more power to them! I would say that it has me excited for whatever they do next, but @Trombe just broke the news that both guitarists are also departing and the band will go on hiatus. While this is pretty devastating, there might be a glimmer of hope, because drummer Neo (ostensibly, the lead composer) is still with the group. Will he and Kate be able to revive My Fairytale with new members? All I can say is I hope so. It would be a shame for yet another VK band with so much potential to dissolve before they even have a chance to soar.

What did you think of the single?


Support the band! Purchase @ CDJapan
Purchase @ HMV
Purchase @ YesAsia

Artist: My Fairytale Single: 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei) 1. 鳥籠トロイメライ 2. トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion) 3. 白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology)
Rating: | Rejoice! Fresh new VK talent! Oh wait, they're going on hiatus...
 
My Fairytale is a newcomer to the VK scene, having formed in mid-2014. I first caught wind of them as I was crafting my 2014 EOTY list. To quote my colleague @Jigsaw9, their “IKEA kei” look lured me in and I decided to give their previews a listen on YouTube—let’s just say their Tokyo under note maxi-single was a last-minute entry to the “honorable mention” section of my list. Flash forward to summer 2015 and now, we have the band’s next single 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei). This makes me happy not only because we get to hear more from them, but because they are the latest in the trend of VK bands using random German loan words—yasss, I mean, jasss! Even from the song titles, you can sense the sort of fanciful world My Fairytale is trying to conjure, so let’s travel down the rabbit hole!

Light as a feather, the title track begins with twinkling piano, compounded shortly after with an eruption of ethereal, twangy guitarwork and vibrant basslines. The bass is surprisingly prominent, considering the fact that their bassist left earlier this year due to the ever-original “musical differences.” Other highlights include a pleasant guitar solo and some bars featuring elegant waltz-y time signatures. Kudos to drummer Neo for this compositional beauty; he seems to do a lot of the heavy lifting in the band’s songwriting! Music aside, one of the best parts of the track (and the band, let’s be real) is vocalist Kate. I’ve probably overstated my preference on MH for clear, higher-pitched male vocals, but let it be known that Kate has quickly become a new favorite! In fact, with his voice and the soft, evocative music, I’d even argue that 'torikago träumerei" is an exemplary piece of modern “white kei.” The Zephyr fan inside me approves! Now, I just need a washed out, misty PV on a bright white backdrop and we’ll be all set.

The delicate mood is shaken up with track two. “トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion)” features a steady electronic element throughout, calling to mind Moran’s heavy beat-driven tracks like “今夜、月の無い海岸で (tonight, at the seaside without the moon)”. My Fairytale’s take is a bit more mischievous sounding though, channeling hints of that LIPHLICH-esque cabaret atmosphere and chugging along with a groovy momentum that emanates throughout the track. Though there’s nothing to dislike here, the track is a bit one-note, not treading too much unpredictable territory. However, “trickart gothic mansion” does serve as an effective transition into the last track, which continues the dark, cheeky feel and infuses it with a zippy “Latin” vibe. Lively acoustic guitar graces us from the very beginning of the single’s closer, “白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology),” making for a “shuffly” quality. One of my favorite parts of this song is the dramatic bridge before each chorus, featuring creepy melodies and epic drumming. The acoustic guitar solo and the following interlude are simple, but gorgeous and bring back the band’s signature piano. And there you have it!

Naturally, I gravitate mainly towards the title track, but I'm also starting to come around to tracks two and three. What becomes crystal clear with this single is that the band can dabble in any number of genres and still deliver beautiful music. After Tokyo under note, I thought their dark piano-driven sound would be their signature style. However, after listening to previews of their debut live-limited single and hearing torikago träumerei, My Fairytale appear intent on making the stylistic rounds--the way they are performing so far, I say, more power to them! I would say that it has me excited for whatever they do next, but @Trombe just broke the news that both guitarists are also departing and the band will go on hiatus. While this is pretty devastating, there might be a glimmer of hope, because drummer Neo (ostensibly, the lead composer) is still with the group. Will he and Kate be able to revive My Fairytale with new members? All I can say is I hope so. It would be a shame for yet another VK band with so much potential to dissolve before they even have a chance to soar.

What did you think of the single?


Support the band! Purchase @ CDJapan
Purchase @ HMV
Purchase @ YesAsia

Artist: My Fairytale Single: 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei) 1. 鳥籠トロイメライ 2. トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion) 3. 白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology)
Rating: | Rejoice! Fresh new VK talent! Oh wait, they're going on hiatus...
 
My Fairytale is a newcomer to the VK scene, having formed in mid-2014. I first caught wind of them as I was crafting my 2014 EOTY list. To quote my colleague @Jigsaw9, their “IKEA kei” look lured me in and I decided to give their previews a listen on YouTube—let’s just say their Tokyo under note maxi-single was a last-minute entry to the “honorable mention” section of my list. Flash forward to summer 2015 and now, we have the band’s next single 鳥籠トロイメライ (torikago träumerei). This makes me happy not only because we get to hear more from them, but because they are the latest in the trend of VK bands using random German loan words—yasss, I mean, jasss! Even from the song titles, you can sense the sort of fanciful world My Fairytale is trying to conjure, so let’s travel down the rabbit hole!

Light as a feather, the title track begins with twinkling piano, compounded shortly after with an eruption of ethereal, twangy guitarwork and vibrant basslines. The bass is surprisingly prominent, considering the fact that their bassist left earlier this year due to the ever-original “musical differences.” Other highlights include a pleasant guitar solo and some bars featuring elegant waltz-y time signatures. Kudos to drummer Neo for this compositional beauty; he seems to do a lot of the heavy lifting in the band’s songwriting! Music aside, one of the best parts of the track (and the band, let’s be real) is vocalist Kate. I’ve probably overstated my preference on MH for clear, higher-pitched male vocals, but let it be known that Kate has quickly become a new favorite! In fact, with his voice and the soft, evocative music, I’d even argue that 'torikago träumerei" is an exemplary piece of modern “white kei.” The Zephyr fan inside me approves! Now, I just need a washed out, misty PV on a bright white backdrop and we’ll be all set.

The delicate mood is shaken up with track two. “トリックアート・ゴシック・マンション (trickart gothic mansion)” features a steady electronic element throughout, calling to mind Moran’s heavy beat-driven tracks like “今夜、月の無い海岸で (tonight, at the seaside without the moon)”. My Fairytale’s take is a bit more mischievous sounding though, channeling hints of that LIPHLICH-esque cabaret atmosphere and chugging along with a groovy momentum that emanates throughout the track. Though there’s nothing to dislike here, the track is a bit one-note, not treading too much unpredictable territory. However, “trickart gothic mansion” does serve as an effective transition into the last track, which continues the dark, cheeky feel and infuses it with a zippy “Latin” vibe. Lively acoustic guitar graces us from the very beginning of the single’s closer, “白昼夢とアンソロジー(hakuchuumu to anthology),” making for a “shuffly” quality. One of my favorite parts of this song is the dramatic bridge before each chorus, featuring creepy melodies and epic drumming. The acoustic guitar solo and the following interlude are simple, but gorgeous and bring back the band’s signature piano. And there you have it!

Naturally, I gravitate mainly towards the title track, but I'm also starting to come around to tracks two and three. What becomes crystal clear with this single is that the band can dabble in any number of genres and still deliver beautiful music. After Tokyo under note, I thought their dark piano-driven sound would be their signature style. However, after listening to previews of their debut live-limited single and hearing torikago träumerei, My Fairytale appear intent on making the stylistic rounds--the way they are performing so far, I say, more power to them! I would say that it has me excited for whatever they do next, but @Trombe just broke the news that both guitarists are also departing and the band will go on hiatus. While this is pretty devastating, there might be a glimmer of hope, because drummer Neo (ostensibly, the lead composer) is still with the group. Will he and Kate be able to revive My Fairytale with new members? All I can say is I hope so. It would be a shame for yet another VK band with so much potential to dissolve before they even have a chance to soar.

What did you think of the single?


Support the band! Purchase @ CDJapan
Purchase @ HMV
Purchase @ YesAsia

Artist: ユナイト (UNiTE.) Single: マーブル (marble) 1. マーブル (marble) 2. ステアーズ ステアーズ(stairs stairs) [Type S limited edition] 2. 汚染 (osen) [regular edition] 3. WONDER f∞l PEOPLE [regular edition]
Rating: | Another solid single to whet your appetite before the summer album

 
マーブル (marble) is the 7th single from your favorite VK experimenters in excessive, flowing fabric, UNiTE. Sana, the band’s fresh meat drummer, makes his compositional debut, penning both the title track and one of the b-sides. This is all just in time for the band’s 4th anniversary on March 29th!

So, how does Sana stack up? Well, he definitely sounds like he belongs! In fact, I wouldn't have a hard time believing that guitarist Shiina Mio had actually written “marble.” If there’s one difference, it’s that Sana blends the heaviness and signature twinkly pop-rock more seamlessly than Mio tends to do (who often deliberately writes songs in a softer or heavier style). Yui's vocals are as agile as ever, effortlessly gliding through gentle verses and powerful choruses. Meanwhile, chirpy guitar chords in the beginning of the verse later morph into the layered guitar wankery we’ve come to love from Mio and LiN. The background arrangements alternate between a balanced mix of piano, airy synths, and a distorted “wub-wub” here and there. All in all, a pretty damn good first effort!
“ステアーズ ステアーズ(stairs stairs)” is the second track from Sana. From the laid-back beachy sound, I initially thought it was by guitarist LiN, channeling his former band, LeMpicka?. The beat makes it like a toned down version of “アンテリナム(antirrhinum)” from their third album. The song has an enjoyable melody and a nice little guitar solo. Yui maintains his sweet vocals for the majority of the track, but occasionally hits some funky notes – another usual trademark of LiN compositions. While this is a pleasant little ditty, Sana doesn’t touch on much that LiN hasn’t done before.

Next up, we have Mio’s “汚染 (osen).” For a title meaning “contamination,” it might seem strange that the song begins with a music box lullaby. This soothing tune quickly disintegrates into atonal disarray, making way for some sinister chiptune bloops. A short dose of chuggy, albeit generic riffs, get a lot more creative around the :43 mark, before leading into the first verse. The best thing about this track is that melody was not sacrificed in the heaviness. Yui delivers an impressive, heartfelt performance, particularly in the final, extended chorus. The riffs throughout sound full-bodied, so it all makes for a satisfying listen. My main complaint is that the drums during the bridge sound a bit weak. While I don’t think this song reaches the top-tier likes of "失望エミュレイター (shitsubou emulator)” or “退廃レトリック (taihai rhetoric)," it’s one of their better “heavy” songs.

“WONDER f∞l PEOPLE” opens with a pumping, in-your-face beat, as Yui talk-raps his way through some bizarre Engrish (“POWER K LOOKS”) and does a roll call of the band members. I was preparing myself for a Kameleo-esque song where they all sing along. Thirty seconds in, the chorus sneaks up on you and it’s clean, poppy, and ecstatic. The whimsical synths give it a shibuya-kei flair. LiN’s lyrics continue to graces us with phrases like “YA SMELL ME? LACK OF ABILITY!” After the second chorus, the song pumps the brakes and gives a short taste of bossa nova relaxation, before quickly returning to the song’s almost gratingly hyper form. Like LiN’s other goofball tracks (“Cocky-discuS”), this might take 2 or 3 listens, before the humorous style sinks in. Nonetheless, I seem to be in the minority of MH’s UNiTE.-posse, because this is my least favorite on the single. It needed at least one more element (some kind of bridge or outro, for instance) to be more balanced. As it stands, it’s the single’s shortest track, but also the most repetitive.

Sana's joining the band last year has somehow ushered in higher production values (look at that shiny PV!) and generally more mature songwriting; while I still think the band sometimes plays it too safe in their “heavier” compositions (I’m looking at you “marble” and “osen” breakdowns), there is always enough variety on their releases to keep you interested. None of the four songs here sound remotely alike! I look forward to hearing Sana’s songwriting develop into his own, discernible style. Lucky for us, their 4th album UNiVERSE comes out this summer, so we don’t have long to wait for him to show us what else he’s got!

What did you think of the single?

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Type S Limited Edition CD+DVD
Limited Edition CD (1 track)
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After Liquid, and their album recommended by @TheStoic, I'm really excited for this