baroque Bounce Back with Three New Singles

Baroque are back, and what better way to start off their revival good and proper (and their new year at that) with the simultaneous release of three new singles: Monodrama, Rinzen Identity, and Teeny Tiny Star.

Taking the DEATHGAZE idea of a single, (i.e. taking the word very literally), each brightly colored CD was sold for ￥500 each or as a box set for ￥2000. The combination of friendly pricing and cartoonish designs was too good to resist and baroque subsequently scored ranks three, four, and five on the first weekly major singles chart for the year: quite a feat, considering they haven’t been around since 2004, and are still considered indie.

But let’s peel away the shiny marketing veneer of the comeback, and get inside to that age old question: Are they any good?

“Monodrama“ begins as a moody, swinging sixties-infused piece, with some neat guitar work before developing into a chipper pop song. That swinging mod-cool feel remains throughout in the perky beat that matches well with Ryo’s breezy vocals. It is a positive show of optimism, quite unlike the introspective pieces that accompanied baroque’s hiatus in 2004.

Recalling much of the members’ work as Kannivalism, “Rinzen Identity” is permeated by experimental flourishes with forays into rap and a metal inspired moment together with a slightly ambient thread that runs throughout. The various elements and ideas are interesting, certainly, but at times it is an experiment too far gone and the resulting mishmash is a bit of a headache. This song may be a grower but it stands as the weakest of the three.

“Teeny Tiny Star” is so upbeat it barely feels like baroque; the melody and rhythm skip along with such merry lightness and the plinking piano notes in the background are a lovely touch. Having knowledge of the pains the members have been through in the past seven years though, we think it’s wonderful to hear this exuberant happiness. The sunny attitude is a great tonic for the winter months.

The three singles just buzz with positivity. It is hard not to see, marketing or not, why they reached the heady heights of the Oricon chart. A highly recommended trio of singles from a new baroque, ready to face the world.

1 track CD

Tracklist

1. Monodrama

1 track CD

Tracklist

1. Rinzen Identity

1 track CD

Tracklist:

1. Teeny Tiny Star

Limited Boxset containing 3 x 1 track CDs

Tracklist

1. Rinzen Identity
2. Teeny Tiny Star
3. Monodrama