Beautiful and Tranquil
Here I am with a brand-new review in “Let’s Listen to”! Today’s subject is the newest release by the Japanese alternative rock band The Novembers, the sixth EP Today, come out today and available on digital platforms. The concept of this release is the tranquillity, an image which inspires the beauty in any shape, identifying with the band’s concept and it works as a sequel of the best of compilation Before Today. And now… let’s review!
-Minna isoide iru (Everyone is hurry): the EP starts with a song opened by a soft melody and the noise of flowing water; then the atmosphere becomes suffused and dreamy, with a peculiar electronic touch accompaining Yusuke’s soft vocals and an incredibly warm guitar, for a slow and nostalgical ballad. —> 9/10
-O Alquimista (Yusuke Kobayashi cover): this song is a cover of a theme made by the singer in his solo project; the song starts with a soft melody, well accompained by the drums and the vocals are ethereal, flowing well inside the theme, really idyllic and fascinating. —> 9/10
-Cradle (L'Arc～en～Ciel cover): this version of the famous hit is kicked off by a strong electronic intro, maintaining the approach seen in the original; the vocals are clearer and more seducing of course, fitting the nostalgical atmosphere of the song, empowered by a suadent guitar, perfectly integrated with the deep bass, creating a great harmony. —> 9.5/10
-Today: the EP ends with the title-track, opened by intense percussions which introduce the theme in a gradual style; each note joins the theme softly and fitting with the rest and Yusuke’s voice is shaded perfectly inside an enigmatic melody, building up a powerful vocal interpretation; a complex and engaging ballad, well executed especially by the instruments. —> 9.5/10
Final Vote —> 9/10
The Novembers continue to release great and fascinating, surprising their audience with each song they make. Following up the powerful and noisy album Hallelujah and the wide compilation mentioned above, the band went back to their dreamy shoegaze phase in Today. This EP balances, with two new themes and two covers, all the best elements of their sound, exalting the electronic and alternative notes, for an enigmatic and powerful listening experience worth of one of the greatest alternative rock bands existing in Japan. Surely they achieved in building up a release which generates peace and inspires beauty at each note, even if they are not extreme and rebel as we could expect. An EP for whoever wants to lose himself completely in The Novembers’ dreamy music, chilling and fascinating as few.
That’s all folks! See you on Sunday for a week-end special in “Focusing on”!
Thanks for the reading!
