Starting for Real
Here I am with a new review in “Let’s Listen to”! Today’s subject is the first album of the Japanese superband Ace of Spades, named 4Real and released today. If you don’t know them, they formed on 2012 and are composed by Takahiro (vo.), from the pop band Exile, Hisahi (gt.), member of the visual band Glay, Tokie (ba.), member of the alternative rock band Losalios and Motokatsu Miyagami (dr.), from the hardcore band The Mad Capsule Markets. And now... let’s review!
-Wild Tribe: the album starts with the lead of the first single, going strong with a relevant rhythm and an energetic guitar; Takahiro’s voice is bold and animated, fitting the theme along with a compelling bass work; an intense rock track, made of its own identity. ---> 9/10
-Mousou (Delusion): a steady guitar kicks off this song, in an articulated rhythm, well empowered by the guitar; good vocals keep up the theme, rocking and enjoyable in its own, for another good track. ---> 8.5/10
-Sin (ft. Hiroomi Tosaka): this song starts with an electronic intro, followed up by a dynamic guitar and a quite steady rhythm; the vocals are freaking and unregular, with clear and more animated tones, in a quite balanced song, despite the messy dual vocal part. ---> 8/10
-Louder: another song featuring a strong electronic component, with a relevant guitar playing and Takahiro’s effected but intense vocals, kept up by a beating rhythm, which features even heavier shades; a really good track, with an awesome instrumental work. ---> 9/10
-Time Flies (ft. Pkczcr and Hiroomi Tosaka): as per title, a ticking clock opens the lead song of the second single, which goes on with strong rhythm and energetic notes; here emerges a pretty decent pop component, even if it is a contrast with the genre here proposed so far; an interesting song in its own, with a good electronic and rock mix. ---> 8/10
-Last Night: a dim and melancholic melody opens the song, with pretty intense vocals; the rhythm goes on shaded, well put in this short but soft and melancholic song, with a sort of maturity. ---> 8/10
-Vampire: the lead song of the album starts with a steady rhythm and crystalline notes, in a more energetic and animated theme; the vocals are fast but balanced, surrounded by a clear and pleasant melody, for a quite good song. ---> 8.5/10
-Dream in the Mirror: a vibrant guitar opens the song, with a beating rhythm; the atmosphere is pretty nostalgical, thanks to clear and flowing vocals and a pleasant guitar playing; a well structured song, with a good vocal interpretation. ---> 9/10
-Chikai (Oath): limpid piano and the guitar open this song, with a melodious theme; the vocals are soft and suadent, accompained by the piano, in a good ballad, which shows the softest side of the band. ---> 9/10
-Lookin’ For: this song has a freaking theme, with rapid vocals, well accompained by the drums and the bass, building up a rhythmical melody, very pleasant to listen to; a catchy and enjoyable track. ---> 9/10
-Now Here: this song starts with an energetic guitar, accompained by a balanced rhythm; simple and flowing vocals keep up the theme, in a fresh and cheerful melody, underlined by the guitar, for a easy and nice song. ---> 8.5/10
-Just like Heaven: a piercing guitar kicks off the song, in a theme with a fast rhythm; the vocals are pretty balanced, driving a melody built mainly by the guitar, for a good track. ---> 8.5/10
-All Time Best: the album ends with a song, featuring a fast rhythm and rapid vocals, with a sinuous and fresh guitar; the melody is really energetic and really easy to follow, in an ending track balanced with the rest of the album, with a note for the final guitar part. ---> 8.5/10
Final Vote ---> 8.5/10
Ace of Spades has started to show its true colors, after seven years being under the radar, thanks to a first album which has surely generated a certain interest. The release is made by the best features of the genres brought up by the members of this band, such as Takahiro’s intense voice, Hisahi’s energetic guitar, Tokie’s compelling bass and Motokatsu’s strong rhythms. This commistion of genres and styles is probably the most important feature of Ace of Spades and despite the defects of the case, 4Real is a good debut for them and we are ready to know their next move, as they have the potential for doing even better. An album for who is looking for a rock band, made of great names and different shades, for an interesting and unpredictable result.
That’s all folks! See you tomorrow for a time-travel in “Throwback Thursday”!
Thanks for the reading!
*Sorry for the delay*
