Matenrou Opera Put The Rabbit Back In The Hat With New Single
Matenrou Opera have a highly distinct sound–you can usually identify a song as theirs within a few seconds: sweeping operatic synths, a general sense of foreboding, and then the frenetic assault of dual drums and crunching guitars.
It should come as no surprise then that this is pretty much how new single sounds, Otoshiana no Soko wa Konna Sekai –an ‘Alice’-themed title with as much pomp and grandiosity as the music. Opening on bold operatic voices that sing in urgent tones, the single becomes a fast-paced rock piece with Sono’s vocals racing at almost the same speed as Yuu’s drums. On first listen, the various elements are jarring–they even chuck a harpsichord in at one point–although the single improves on multiple listens. Still, this is no Matenrou classic.
The next piece on the single, “Sleeping Beauty,” is definitely a B-side but it is a fine one at that. There are some lovely moments in the composition and beautiful use of the traditional shakuhachi during the bridge. You’ll find yourself bobbing your head to the measured beat and Sono’s little rap. Which is a good thing, as “Diorama Wonderland” is a just a bit too much. It starts promisingly as cybernetic elements meld with the gothic guitar but the mix of vocals, both Sono’s and the backing vocals, is a trifle annoying and headache-inducing. That said, it is worth one listen for the fantastic English lyrics.
Autumn often feels like a slow time in music, caught between summer tours and winter festivities and sadly Matenrou Opera’s new release smacks a little too much of that. One for the die hard Matenrou Opera fans then.
Regular Edition (3 track CD)
Limited Edition (2 track CD + DVD of PV and PV Director’s Cut)
Tracklist
- Otoshiana no Soko wa Konna Sekai
- Sleeping Beauty
- Diorama Wonderland
Sarah began her journey into the world of Japanese music courtesy of L'Arc-en-Ciel back in the year 2000. Since then, she has combined a love of music and music journalism into writing for European Japanese music magazines and assisting with Japanese interest events in the UK. After graduating in Law from the University of Nottingham, she put 'the law-thing' on the backburner to dive into the live scene in Tokyo for 3 years. Sarah returned to the UK in September 2010 to do that 'law-thing' and now works for a Japanese ｂank in London. Her heart is always in the music and fashion in Tokyo and her life is balanced between her time in the UK and Japan. When she has time, she also blogs at http://lifeismerodii.blogspot.com
I guess you could call me one of those die-hard MO fans, then. I love Sono’s voice, and this single is among my favorites. I’m personally looking forward to Gloria when it’s released, and I’m expecting some amazing things from it. Otoshiana no Soko wa Konna Sekai is one single that I love listening to. I won’t expect any less with Gloria.