If you haven't been keeping up with D=OUT over the last year or so, you should catch up. They've improved with every single they've released since 2012 and are taking the mainstream visual-kei scene by storm in a refreshingly original way. Although they are a lighter-sounding visual-kei band, D=OUT stands out from other such bands with a unique, lounge-style sound. D=OUT's music is extremely addictive and their fan base continues to grow exponentially as a result. They show no signs of slowing down with their latest release "kanden 18gou".
In "kanden 18gou", D=OUT merges their recently-refined lounge/rock sound with the production values and catchy song structure of a pop song. The result is an addictive, sensational work that shows that their recent improvement and success as a band is no fluke. Set to a chiming electronic melody (which serves as an extremely catchy hook), this song features a strong tempo and a large amount of bass instrumentation in addition to tight guitar-playing. The most noticeable thing about this song—besides its ability to get firmly stuck in the listener's head—is how carefully-produced it is. Unlike other pop/rock song fusions, "kanden 18gou" doesn't sound like two genres fighting to be heard. Instead, all of the notes (instrumental and artificial) meld together into one cohesive experience. There were times when I was somewhat concerned to hear what I thought was a bass beat in the background, only to realize that it was simply the drummer's cleverly-distorted bass drum. But "kanden 18gou" is light enough to be considered somewhere between a pop-rock song and a pop-song, so listeners who dislike pop music may not enjoy it as much as other D=OUT releases.
The PV is very colorful and has a traditional Japanese feel to it. Clad in a patterned kimono, the vocalist joins the rest of the band in performing in what could easily be taken to be a small museum of Japanese culture. Traditional Japanese kanji, symbols, and artwork abound, and the overall affect is both vivid and soothing. There's a little too much flourishing and posing by the guitarists, particularly the bassist, for it to not seem somewhat melodramatic at times, but this is a decent PV overall.
One of D=OUT's most admirable characteristics is their ability to stand out from other bands in the lighter side of visual-kei music. Doing so is a commendable accomplishment: more than any other area of visual-kei, this is area of the movement is frequently criticized as being overpopulated by talent-less boy bands catering to screaming fan girls. D=OUT has always been a light-sounding band, but they've been able to craft a musical identity that is both universally appealing and original, and this tradition continues in "kanden 18gou". I recommend everyone listen to this song, but be warned: it will get stuck in your head.
0 comments:
Post a Comment