#plunklock

ALSDEAD - Puzzle

Meth - Can’t Come Back

Plunklock - World Is Mine

Sel’m - Spiral World

Diaura - Yugamu Kyuutai

Arlequin - Douke No Hana

Glacier - Kugatsu Incense

Doremidan - Chou

NoGod - Raise A Flag

Stereopony - Hitohira No Hanabira

Garnidelia - Mirai

Luna Haruna - Sora Wa Takaku Kaze Wa Utau

Eir Aoi - Kasumi

Here I am with a new band review in “Focusing on”! Today’s subject is a visual band whose aura is dyed of retrò and pop notes. We’re talking about Belle, formed on 2014 and composed by Haro (vo.), former singer of Plunklock, Yumehito (gt.), former member of Ayabie, Akiya (ba.), from Aube, and Masato (dr.), from CaTfist. The band name comes from French language, meaning “beautiful” or “nice”, somehow linked to their particular concept. This is called Kayou Suspense, where “kayou” stands for a Japanese musical style, closer to pop, and “suspense” refers to their evocative and mysterious component brought in each song. Their genre is a curious and pretty various rock, with retrò and jazz elements, really relevant in their sound, where the rhythms are quite refined. Their debut occurred on October 2014 with the first mini-album Kane ga nattara jiken ga okiru (The incident will happen when the bell doesn’t ring), followed by the singles Non-fiction, Gozen sanji no kanjousen (3 am ring line) and Vidro.

The title-track features a bright rock sound, with living notes and simple and flowing vocals; the song is about the youth and the intense passion which happen during the life. It has been followed by the first album Kayou Suspense Gekijou (Kayou suspense theater) and the singles Manatsu no ballad (Midsummer ballad) and Refrain.

The title-track has a steadier and engaging rhythm, building up a pleasant melody, driven by intense notes and nice vocals; the song is about the true musical essence of this band, explained in the concept mentioned above. It has been followed by the single Jealousy (already reviewed here).

The title-track features a retrò vibe, driven by a seducing rock melody and cheerful vocals; the song is about the jealousy, a devastating and uncontrollable force. It has been followed by the singles Aishuu elegy (Sorrow elegy) and Bokutachi wa massugu ni yugande (We will be directly distorted) and the second album Juke Box.

The lead-track, Lost Seasons, features a more articulated rhythm, in a soft and nostalgical rock melody, well rendered by the vocals and the instruments; the song is about the time which passes by and goes far, losing itself.

Despite their not so great repertory, Belle is an addicting band, which has all the cards for becoming even more important in the scene, if well used. Their retrò image fits the pattern which visual kei is accustomed to, but at the same time their melodies have a pleasant energy, empowered by good vocals and a decent instrumental background, including even some technical shade. Surely Belle is not the dark visual band you can expect, but they are worth to be listened, even for alternating cheerful and relaxing tunes with the heavier ones. If you already are one of their fans, or not, you can check out their latest work, the second mini-album Zokuzoku kane ga nattara jiken ga okiru (A series of events will happen when the bell rings), a sequel of their first one, which seem to keep up their suspenseful energetic concept.

Who might enjoy: who is looking for a visual band made of lightness, energy and a bit of retrò shade.

Recommended songs: Non-fiction, Vidro, Sayonara bokudake no hito, Refrain, Jealousy, Aishuu Elegy and Lost Seasons.

That’s all folks! See you with a new song analysis in “Lyrical Love”!

Combining a potent dose of rap into a cauldron of heavy instruments and vocals, rapcore inspired band CHOKE seeks to create “intense sound” amongst the four-man band after making their debut on May 5, 2017. Each member boasts a lengthy and impressive history of ex-bands including PLUNKLOCK, v[NUE], DragonWAPPPPPPER, and Serial NUMBER. Their first album CHOKE…