Leviathancries

Hi, I'm u fu fu (Leviathan Cries) and this page is for my music reviews. I hope I can show you something you haven't heard before! :D⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Please check out the 'Review Archive' tab for all of my album reviews

[leviathancries]

existential hymns for the average sigma [vol. 9]

[DUCKBOY] (2023)

Ohh yeaaaah! It's that time again. A new Ruby solo project. Ruby (DUCKBOY) sinking his fangs back into pop punk rock and goin' crazy doing it...

Track 1: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

"5-0-4-5-9-5-9-5-9 is no available"

Another day another voicemail. Keeping with his missed calls and phones theme, this mini album also starts off with a dial tone. It also has the same name as the intro track from his 1st mini album.

Track 2: EXCALIBUR

"I DON'T UNDERSTAND, WHO I AM!"

Fucking love this song honestly... Ruby starts this project off so strong. Super catchy hook, catchy riff and a good range of vocals. This ballad is powerful and raw. It's the best song from the album in my honest opinion. (music video just came out a couple days ago and it's really fucking cool.)

Track 3: where y'at, duckboy?

"goodevening"

Following the same formula of the 1st album, track 3 is an interlude titled "where y'at, duckboy?" This ones... uhh. I dunno. Interesting? It's pretty simple. Just a mish-mash of missed calls and voicemails.

Track 4: I Was a Teenage Nihilist

"Open up your mind you fucking cyclops. Take a sip"

Yeah!!! This is what im FUCKING TALKING ABOUT! This song is fast, memorable and snappy. Clocking in at just a minute and thirty seconds. It comes in swinging with those pop punk almost djent sounding guitars. Also really like the reference to $UICIDEBOY$ in this song.

Track 5: where y’at, duckboy​??

"I love you, you're my cousin, um..."

This is a good interlude. It gives us a little peek behind the scenes of Ruby, Scrim and the $UICIDEBOY$. This interlude is a voicemail of Scrim trying to smooth out an argument or disagreement him and Ruby must have had.

Track 6: Pearls Are Just Oyster Puke

"THE WAY THAT YOU TREAT ME... IS WORSE THAN A RABID DOG."

This song is the most punk-rock song on this album. A classic punk rhythm thuds as Ruby screams. what I like most about this song is the breakdown, it's super raw. I know for a fact Ruby is a big fan of the band Rancid (a classic early 90's punk rock band) and I can really feel the influence with this song.

Track 7: where y'at, duckboy???

"If you or a loved one is suffering from drug abuse or addiction please give us a call back. Thank you and have a blessed day. Bye."

The third interlude on the album. Another voicemail... Not much else to say.

Track 8: Heroin As a Recreational Activity

"my temptations, they taste so sweet. I got cavities rotting my teeth."

Mhmmmm, this one is another punk-rock song. Well kinda. It's still more pop-punk. I guess somewhere in the middle? Love this one. There's something about when he says "Your hissing tongue has licked me ~for the last fucking time~" just sounds so satisfying. But anyway. Another catchy ballad. Man never fucking misses. I also really like the chorus on this song. The way the whole song slows down into the breakdown/chorus is so dope. I really wish more songs did this to be honest.

Overview: existential hymns for the average sigma [vol. 9]

Again, exactly like I said in the conclusion for tragic love songs, I know I have been glazing ruby the whole damn time. But shit, its hard not to. He's one of the most talented versatile artists at the moment. Everything he does he seems to do effortlessly. Whether its scream rapping or a post pop-punk tragic love ballad.

All that being said. Like my previous conclusion. It's short. Like really short. An album that's 12 isn't really an album. It's an EP.

I can't wait for his next tape or the next $UICIDEBOY$ tape. Thanks 4 reading!

Rating: 8/10

If there’s any typos or inconsistencies in this review it’s because I can’t be bothered to proof read it.

[leviathancries]

Picks of the Month AUG:

1: HUG ME TIGHT - yuugen ft. 杏夏 (2023)

This song came out July 2023 and only has 200 views on YouTube and 3k plays on Spotify... Criminal.

Anyway the song is great, nice vocals, chill vibe and super underrated. From what I can tell this is 杏夏's only public song. Pls check this one out for sure!

2: Slapback - Young Juvenile Youth (2017)

Young Juvenile Youth are a music group from Japan, if you like artists like millennium parade you will 100% like YJY. They make a good mix of deep club and trance-y bass music. I chose Slapback from their 2017 debut album MIRROR because it's my favorite song by them and I feel more people should check the song/the group out.

3: So beautiful So lonely - FiFi Zhang (2023)

Now moving from Japan over to China, I wanna talk about my 3rd pick of the month. FiFi Zhang's So beautiful So lonely (and her debut EP of the same name) taking inspiration from artists like Pinkpantheress and the modern revival of late 90's and early 2000's DnB/Jungle pop rap FiFi captures the soul of what makes these songs so great. Also the video that goes with the song is fucking dope. Like so cool.

4: LilyNiku - BY MY OWN SMALL EMERGENCIES (2022)

LilyNiku. Insanely underground, insanely underrated. LilyNiku is definitely someone you want to keep on ur radar if you like trap bass and drum n' bass. I recommend Lily's GUTSGUTS EP, THEDUMBESTGIRLYOUKNOW 2 Album and the VANISHER EP.

5: Roadkill - 打倒三明治 (Sandwich Fail) (2019)

Let's rock on over to Taiwan real quick. I've been really into mandarin music recently and Sandwich Fail's 2019 EP Roadkill scratches that itch for me. But the song Roadkill from the EP in particular. Just something about it mane idk... It kinda reminds me of Half Full by i'mdifficult.

Anyway, thanks' for reading my Aug 2023 List. Hope u had a good month. See you in September.

[leviathancries]

FAKEVOX

[Plus-Tech Squeeze Box] (2000)

Plus-Tech are a Japanese Picopop trio (They are a trio, not a duo. Wikipedia is WRONG!!!) who are known for their off the wall music and lively sound.

Plus-Tech Squeeze Box's first album, released in 2000. 'FAKEVOX' is all over the place, It's a kid who cant sit still. Full of wonder and life. High-pitched sounds and upbeat melodies are the backbone of this album. If this Album was food it would be a strawberry sundae. It's hyper sweet, cute and feels like a sugar rush.

(also on a side note. I have noticed that Plus-Tech have been featured a lot in British stuff, for example they have been on the BBC quite a few times and featured in a British Coca-Cola ad. Just thought that was interesting....) anyway on with the review.

Track 1: Channel No.17

"What time is it?!"

Plus-Tech really sets the tone of the album with this intro track. You are hit with all sorts of sounds from VOX samples to bowling balls and carnival sounds. It's fast and alive.

Track 2: early RISER

"Bouncy!"

Track 2 is quintessential 2000's hyper J-pop. This song reminds me so much of the Jet-Set Radio OST and I love it. Plus-Tech create super catchy ear worm songs that play on loop in your mind all day. It's so upbeat you can't even be annoyed at it.

Track 3: A Day In The Radio

"I'm a plus-tech girl friend!"

Track three is more vocal based letting Kamada sing. This is another cute song you can't possibly feel mad when listening to.

Track 4: Test Room

"1,2,3,4. Plus-Tech!"

Test Room is a super bright song. It's fast, lively and experimental. The vocal chop in this song carry it a long way. It's just so satisfyingly to listen to lol.

Track 5: rocket coaster

"Rocket coaster! la, la, la, la-la."

Track 5 is Plus-Tech's most popular track for a reason. It's definitely their most accessible song by far for a normal audience. It's got a nice duet going on, a catchy chorus and a light rock instrumental. Really sweet and cute song.

Track 6: Scene1 - launch a spaceship into space →

Track six is an interlude following the space theme of the album.

Track 7: ☆

"Have you ever met a great astronaut?"

Track six takes us right back into the cutesy vibe with an instrumental that wouldn't be out of place on a Frenesi album, especially with those tom drums and pluck-y melody.

Track 8: White Drops 

"fantastic..."

Man, White Drops. This song will always have a special place in my heart. I really do love this song. It's so nostalgic to me. It's so simple yet so affective, It's upbeat, endearing and... idk cozy?

Track 9: MILK TEA

"しまうのさー”

Milk tea is an other nostalgic song for me as I used to listen to it a lot. It's got guitar, synths, vocals and bleeps n bloops. what more can you ask for in a song to be honest?

Track 10: Scene2 - citybilly lived happily after

"BEEEWOOP! FUNNY GUITAR!"

Lots of sounds and a guitar. This song is like if you were at a fair on many, many substances.

Track 11: Sneaker Song!

"Why don't you tell me? hey! you're little rascal!"

Sneaker song goes right back to the hyper sound that the rest of the album follows. Lots of bleeps and gated sounds. This song has more of a pop-rock guitar lean though.

Track 12: ​clover

"いつのまにか降り止んだ雨"

Clover is a great outro because it changes the vibe of the album completely. It is the complete opposite of the rest of the album taking on a more melancholy down-tempo tone. A lot less vocal processing and FX. But the a happy sounding melody comes in creating a bitter sweet end to the album. This song reminds me of looking through old photos. Sad it's over, glad it happened.

Overview: FAKEVOX

FAKEVOX is a great introduction to hyper J-pop and Picopop, if any of this sounds interesting to you I highly recommend this album. It's sugary sweet with a lot of life to it.

Rating: 7.5/10

If there’s any typos or inconsistencies in this review it’s because I can’t be bothered to proof read it.

[leviathancries]

King Of The Beats

[サイケアウツ] (1996)

Man, where do I even start with this album?

Let me put you on to サイケアウツ (Cycheouts)

They are a Japanese DnB/Jungle group from Osaka formed in 1994 and let me tell you something bucko, these guys are the real fuckin deal when it comes to authentic 90s DnB, Jungle and breakbeat.

I'm not going to do a normal review of this album because I can only say "Damn this break is so cool!" so many times in one review so I'm gonna give one big overview of this album and what I think about it.

King of the beats is core, old school classic DnB. The album itself is super underground but that doesn't mean it's not fuckin awesome. It heavy use of off the wall sounds, samples and insane chops give this album such a strange vibe. It's almost like being in an arcade but all the machines are malfunctioning and you are having a panic attack. The jarring samples, loud noises and SFX laid over fast drum chops and breaks create this hyper lively ADHD filled sound. If this is something that sounds interesting to you then I would highly recommend this album to you. If you are into modern breakcore and artists like Sewerslvt or music like Machine Girl then I would 100% suggest you give this a listen. Albums like this are the roots of modern breakcore and it's super dope to see where and what it all spawned from.

Rating: 7/10

If there’s any typos or inconsistencies in this review it’s because I can’t be bothered to proof read it.

[leviathancries]

tragic love songs to study to (vol. 5)

[DUCKBOY] (2023)

Tragic Love Songs To Study To is Ruby da Cherry (from $uicideboy$) newest solo project. Going by the name DUCKBOY for this album adding to his ever-growing list of aliases. Personally something I have been waiting for, for a long fucking time. Ruby (DUCKBOY) managed to tap into his roots in punk and created this mini album. Much to the upset of most of his zoomer iPad baby fanbase who only want KILL MYSELF! DRUGS! SATAN!!! music.

Track 1: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

"You may hang up or press 1 for more options"

To be honest as an intro track I have heard better, It does set a pretty good (dial)tone for the theme of the album. (people bothering him and trying to call him)

Track 2: ROUGAROU (i've become the monster

"Let's pull back the tide and see if the moon is dead!"

ROUGAROU starts off the album strong with that signature 2000's emo pop-punk vibe. I'm a huge fan of Ruby in general but I feel on songs like this his potential as an artist shines best. His style of singing is so suited to this type of song and it's a shame he hasn't made music like this sooner lol. (yeah before you try and be a smart ass I have listened to his punk shit from his old bands, ur not cool for knowing that) Also the hook of the song is so fucking catchy it's been stuck in my head since the album came out. "I HAVE ALL NIGHT TO HUNT, I PROMICE TO PROTECT YOU WITH MY CURSE!" insane.

Track 3: where y'at, duckboy?

"Oh my god, call me ASAP..."

Interesting choice to put an interlude as the 3rd track on the album, but it is only a 7 song album so I guess it is more forgivable. That being said I actually really like this song. It carries on with the theme of people calling Ruby and bothering him. The simple hip-hop trap beat with that smooth bass kinda fucks to be honest.

Track 4: XXL hadron collider

"I ain't crying over spilt milk, but who's gonna clean this mess?"

Track four thrusts us right back in that 2000s emo mindset. Singing about suicide and betrayal has never been so cool to be honest. This is probably my favorite song on the album solely because it has such a nostalgic sound to it. This song just reminds me of being super young watching AMV's on YouTube in 2008. Like listen to this song and tell me this doesn't remind you of that. And again Ruby flexes on us with his talent of writing catchy hooks. Also the vocal style switch up between verse one and two is unmatched.

Track 5: ​my love life needs a lobotomy

"I spent the whole night throwing up your spiiit!"

Track four and five seamlessly flow into one another. I mean the song is only 41 seconds so it's pretty much just verse three of track four separated into it's own track. BUT IT'S A FUCKING GOOD SONG DAMNIT! like really fucking good. Not really much else to say about this one.

Track 6: where y’at, duckboy​?? "Call me back dawg..."

Another interlude. More voicemails. More chill-hop beats. If I had to compare this one to the other interlude I prefer the other one. Although the girl who says "Thank you" at the end sounds cute :3

Track 7: ​after further reasoning, i’m going to bed

"I'll live as long as my little lungs last!"

Last track of the album. Track seven is another pop-punk song, using catchy guitar riffs and upbeat drums. Ruby shows off his versatile voice on this song using different vocal styles and a good variety of pitch. Homeboy went crazy not gonna lie. Another memorable song IMO. Just another thing to add to my long, long list of good Ruby songs and verses.

Overview: tragic love songs to study to (vol. 5)

I know I was essentially throating Ruby in this review but what can I say? I love the dude. He's a huge inspiration for me. Personal opinions aside ill say the good and bad about the album as a whole.

It's fuckin' short. Like short as fuck. Like out of the 7 songs we have an intro and 2 interludes. That only leaves 4 actual songs, one of which is only 41 seconds long. That being said, the full songs on this album are fucking amazing. Like really, really good. If you are into 2000s pop-punk, emo nostalgia shit. Check this out. The songs are super catchy, well produced and well written. This album has been a long time coming since Ruby has hinted at a solo project for years and I'm hoping for more in the future!

Rating: 8/10

If there's any typos or inconsistencies in this review it's because I can't be bothered to proof read it.