DaizyStripper Follow Up Recent Single With Third Album BLESS

DaizyStripper’s third full album BLESS is a fascinating collection of music with so many different styles it’s difficult to decide where to begin.

The very first track, “Adam,” falls under the category of “typical DaizyStripper” although it has a trippy feel with loose guitar and echoed verses laid over the voice track. For that undeniable DaizyStripper sound, on the other hand, you’ll want to listen to the super cheerful track six, “Diamond Glitter.”

In track two, “Awairo no yume,” we get a nice digital beat and digitalized vocals with a swiftly repeating piano motif. The guitar comes in heavy, reminiscent of earlier songs like “White Butterfly” and “Baby Kingdom.” A typical VK instrumental of heavy, looping guitar is nicely embellished by a solo from the opposite guitar, giving those restraining from rocking out on the subway something interesting to listen to. Track five, “Knock of Shadow,” also sports the heavier sound that DaizyStripper excel at, but the smooth guitar riffs are augmented by crackling and whistles. Light on the instruments, Yu-Giri’s vocals take prominence throughout the piece.

“Yasoukyoku” has a hint of that much appreciated jazz tune you’ll often hear in visual kei music, with a melody reminiscent of Japanese oldie pop-ballads in the chorus. Very laid back and smooth, the song calls up the image of a salary man kicking back at a stylish Ginza bar after a hard day with a scotch on the rocks and a tassel-laden lounge singer crooning nearby. The jazz piano solo and lightly swinging drums of the instrumental only cement that vision of bittersweet luxury.

During first twenty seconds of track three, my first instinct was that this would make a great song for driving around on a lazy Sunday. Little did I know that the title was “Sunday Driver.” Another fifty seconds later, I heard the lyrics “You’re called the Sunday Driver.” Another favorite, “Purple Candy” comes in at track seven. Beginning with muted vocals, it breaks into heavy guitar and drums even when the vocal line begins. There’s a particularly monotone sound to the whole tune. The chorus of woah’s blow that impression wide apart, Yu-Giri’s occasional lyrics echoing beneath the euphoric sound, an effect to give you the shivers. Quiet fanfare into dramatic organ brings in the last refrain. Well-designed for such a busy number, ”Purple Candy” practically begs for a rapid montage of the most chaotic clips in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.

Endlessly entertaining tenth track, “BIRTHDAY SONG” is that jazzy little birthday song you never wanted  but can’t help bopping along to with a goofy smile. By the time it ends, you’ll be singing and dancing with pointed fingers at imaginary friends. (At least, that’s what happened to me…)

The verdict? The album veers half toward typical “DaizyStripper” whether poppy or hard with a remainder of some really cool, quirky numbers. Exactly what we expect to hear from Daizystripper yet can never predict, the album is well worth getting your hands on.

A Type:

Ten track CD + Music Clip + Music Slip

B Type:

Ten track CD + Music Clip + Off shot

C Type:

Ten track CD

Track Listing:

1. Adam
2. Awairo no yume
3. Sunday Driver
4. Yasoukyoku
5. Knock Shadow
6. Diamond Glitter
7. Purple Candy
8. Zetsubou no asa
9. Another Sky
10. BIRTHDAY SONG