新着レビュー

Ametronica is one of the first albums I heard of from Pitohui Records. I knew from the start I'd be a huge fan; an adorable harpy, playful and emotionally damaging music, ah - I'm home, I thought.

But Ametronica has some real curveballs. The aptly-named Outlander is basically a 'soft' DnB track that somehow fits the album, perfectly - probably because they all fit the core theme of rainy-day music, even if differently. It's hard to pick a favourite, Shards Falling got me hooked on the first listen, and Mint Hint brought me genuine good luck, which is why I'm returning the favour.

I'll go with Condensation, for its rainswept chiming and sounding like lost VN music from a game you only half-remember playing.

Robotronica is a playful delight of an album. Although there's plenty of the usual melancholy I associate with Pitohui Records, giving the 'toytronica' genre an electronic little bounce only makes it shine that much brighter. Tracks like Joywalker Avenue and Workshop Street feel like you're in a brightly-lit madcap city, the latter's laid-back chill vibes soothing the body and soul.

But then, there are also tracks like Evil Witch's Industry that clank and clang with mysterious, possibly ~mischievous~ intent, and that's just great, too. But my favourite track has to be Pastel Layers Unit, which I'm going to put under a subgenre of cardigan-core... It might not exist outside my heart, but it probably exists.

Good music for harpies and robots, both.

I was thrilled to realise Pitohui Records was here, too. Kid Rid Midnight is an eclectic collection of late-night tunes, mostly wistful and like something you'd hear when ducking past a business, resting under an awning, or hearing a driver pass by with their window open.

Each track conveys that half-lonely, half-companionable darkness, exquisitely. The styles of the album tracks are pretty different, but fit the core conceit of a lot of Pitohui's 'toytronica,' being playful as much as they are thoughtful.

Favourite track: Brown Ghost. It's hard not to listen to it, and feel like you've just had a long conversation with an old friend, long after the rain stopped falling.

The origins of Kawaii Rock may be here, but 1st album is just as important and worth a listen. These dreamy tones are actually a little more shoegaze-y and in line with some of Ayaneria's layer works. It's really cool having just stumbled on the circle and getting to travel through time...

お疲れsummer is a soulful piece that feels like it connects with you right through the screen. Like a lot of Ayaneria's music, it's visceral and what doujin is all about.

But my favourite this time around is the cafe in forest. A laid-back, melancholic instrumental to wrap the album up, it leaves you in a reflective state - a perfect closing piece to the mix of high-energy and heartfelt pieces throughout the album.

With that, I'm caught up - please keep making music (and games, and art)! I hope to see you around and support you in the future, as well!

I love how the art and storytelling of Ayaneria works with the storytelling of their music and albums.

You VS I is four long tracks, each of them having a distinct style and musical play on the elements, and a bit of desolate isolation. What you'll like best might depend on what kind of atmosphere you crave most; do you like the overcast stormy beaches of dark sky, or the late night canopies of thunderfire over open and water?

For me, my favourite track was aquarium. It's danceable and upbeat while also being a track that has the same kind of loss only ocean memories bring back.

From classic rock to poppy tones to shoegaze, the album has a little bit of everything, and every song helps its peers stand out. It's a demo disc given to you at a cramped convention hall, or handed out in the park, and it's perfect for summer.

With all of my heart, I'd want to call Bad Girl (vocals edition) my favourite track, but that honour goes to HAPPY. 小さな勇者たち is also really good, and you really can't go wrong with any song here.

It's a cute album, it's got strong soul, and it rocks.

The touching and distant 'childlike' also comes with a bonus previous album?! I feel incredibly lucky...

Both are quite different; the latter being an OST, and very nostalgic. childlike's songs are pure-hearted but passionate, stubborn and a little bit sad, determined and happy even when they're crying. It's at once full of fun tunes you can listen to easily, and that hit you that much harder for it.

I have a hard time picking just one favourite track from it, but if I had to, it would be television.

As for the bonus ost, it's just fantastic, too, full of a hazy RPG feel. Unfortunately, the track titles became garbled mojibake, and it's impossible for me to tell the title of my favourite track - so I'll go with my second-favourite, which is Bad Girl, a rockin' track that is proof of why Bad Girls are the best girls.

Both albums are absolute treats, and it feels unfair to have both in one release, but I'm truly happy..!

This is an album that I don't think you can listen to just one song from, they're all telling the story together. Like the description on the store says, it's a clear and ephemeral feeling - like the wheels below the rails have hit sparks and the sea below is shining brightly, reflecting a mirrored blue sky.

A mix of classic, heart-string-pulling rock sound and dreamy lyrics move the listener, and even the lighter pieces end up feeling like they move the track along. Perfect for those who feel like they're going nowhere - who need to be reminded that they've come a long way.

Favourite track: 21時30分、また会えたら

A heavy and weighty album, but not without its lightness.

Even though the feeling of the album itself weighs on you, the tracks themselves aren't all melancholic. Some of them, like morning routine, let's running, and even ice age, all have a kind of quiet encouragement to them. Despite how hard it is, the music feels like it's struggling along with you.

But the album's intent is what resonates hardest. The pressure on your spine from the weightier pieces is great music to listen to when you're working on a project that's similarly heavy, or just want to be heard by music that hears you, too.

Favourite track: lost me

I stumbled upon the circle from one of their other works, heard their music, and was blown away. The emotional weight of the music was so strong, I immediately wanted to listen to everything they made.

The sounds of old books turning, unsold, and the atmosphere of people you were dear friends with - maybe whom you haven't seen, in a long time. Every song has that, a feeling that you'll know in a way distinct to you. Maybe it's shoegaze and long nights talking to people, maybe it was a punk or doujin band that wasn't ever too 'rebellious,' maybe it was a hobby you shared with one other person - as a secret, dearly kept.

I can't describe what it means, to me. All of those things. The music is simple and from the heart and raw, and I love it a lot. So much that even when I misunderstood the review system, and lost my reviews, I re-wrote this, ahaha... And it's wonderful that it can be used in productions, and if ever I did that, I'd make sure to say so.

Recommended for all tired part-timers who wonder where the days went, midnight people, and sincere lovers of literature.

Favourite track: 密室