🎄Album Selection of 2017 | December🎄
Luna Sea - LUV (20.12.2017) [★★★★★]
In the final month of the year, one of the most important bands of Japanese rock scene makes their voice being heard and they manage in this. Their ninth album, second work in this year after an awesome single, comes four years after their last full one and takes all the best of the band in a great musical experience; there are complex and romantic themes, catchy rock songs and some electronic hint from Sugizo’s solo project, all gathered for an unique album, as Luna Sean can really do.
Ride the Beat, Ride the Dream
Kiyoharu - Elegy (13.12.2017) [★★★★★]
Kiyoharu gets back to his solo career, following up last year’s successful work. This time he wants to gather most famous themes, taken by solo career or by his bands, Kuroyume and Sads, and to completely re-arrange them. This acoustic album exalts more his vocal skills and the melodies and deep and melting thanks to a chilling guitar and some other melodic element. So Kiyoharu shows that he is able to entertain, without a riff or a beat.
Kono kodoku na keshiki wo atae tame (Give to this lonely scenery)
Kuuhaku no sekai (Blank world)
Hitorie - Ai/Solate (06.12.2017) [★★★★]
Led by a former Vocaloid singer, this rock band has always made a decent impression to their listeners, thanks to a flowing and simple sound with indie vibes. In their fourth mini-album, something changes in positive and they start to incorporate more funky and upbeat, seeming to be fitting to their style, becoming even more convincing than what expected.
Bless This Mess - Xiall Rain (20.12.2017) [★★★★] (REVIEW)
Started on 2015, this band has not been considered properly, despite the presence of two renowned musicians of the scene (initially three) and the great quality behind their debut release, the mini-album Hymn. This year they joined Starwave Records and released their first album, a really good one, where YNG’s voice is a pivotal part of the whole structure, where the clear interpretations along with the energetic themes are the best one here featured.
Miniku metsusari (Abominable death)
Hiren kyakuchuu (Tragic love epiphany)
Angela - Beyond (20.12.2017) [★★★★]
One of the most renowned Japanese pop acts has ended its year with their ninth album, anticipated by greatly popular singles. What hits mostly of the release is the great variety of styles featured, where Atsuko’s clear vocals and Katsu’s strong accompainment create unexpected results each time, for an unexpectedly interesting album.
Boku wa boku de atte -ft. fripSide- (I am me)
Zenryoku☆Summer! (Full Power☆Summer!)
Prologue -Kimi no mukougawa- (Prologue -Beyond you-)
Kataritsugare shimo no (Though it is handed down)
Ano natsuzora (That summer sky)
My First Story - All Secret Tracks (13.12.2017)
The first mention is for the surprising mini-album by My First Story, came out suddenly, as they didn’t announce anything before the release. But the most surprising part is the quality of the tracks, energetic, catchy and emotional at the same time, where we see a significant growth for Hiro and a better cure for the melodies, making theme even better than usual.
Shuuen requiem (End of requiem)
Kimi no inai yoru o koete (Beyond the night without you)
Acidman has always been acclaimed for the depth they give to each track, giving them the chance to be more and more popular. The eleventh album come out three years after the last one, for celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band and they summarize their musical style, with various and nice tones alternating one to another, featuring a certain instrumental complexity.
Shiroi bunmei (White civilization)
Saigo no hoshi (Last star)
Mizu no yoru ni -album ver.- (Night of water)
Kuhakuno tori (Blank bird)
Hikari ni narumade (Until it becomes light)
Ai wo ryoute ni (With love in both hands)
THEtwomayMe gachi - O’Malley (09.12.2017)
Formed by three members of the rock band M, this young band has worked in underground, releasing few demos. The first mini-album introduces their genre, structured and energetic, with good vocals and balanced rhythms. Surely this band has the right cards to become relevant.
Ano natsu Overtime (That overtime summer)
That’s all for 2017! See you with the next post on “Let’s listen to…”, hoping that 2018 will be an awesome and rocking year!
