Band-Maid find another gear

During their experimental interlude in 2018 and early 2019, some fans openly wondered whether the band were “going soft”.  They need not have worried.

“Reincarnation” (輪廻 “Rinne”) (Nov. 2019)

"This is like being punched and hugged at the same time."  For anyone thinking they were getting too poppy, this was a bracing slap in the face.  Just for good measure they threw the conventional structural formula for songwriting out the window.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ9dbEVgZcA

 

 

“Blooming” (Dec. 2019)

This has a more conventional structure than “Rinne” but is even more of a showcase for the band’s virtuosity.  Saiki adds some rapid-fire rapping to a solid vocal performance, Kanami keeps up a frenetic yet melodic running lead and adds a short, savage solo, and Akane underpins it all with syncopated rhythms and fills.  But it’s more than a technical tour-de-force—it’s catchy, with the compelling groove of the greatest classic rock songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUt_JBMocKM

 

Breaking boundaries: What is rock, anyway?

The great, classic bands have an unmistakable "trademark" sound.  The Doors, the Stones, the Pretenders etc.:  One measure and you know who you are listening to.  By early 2018, Band-Maid had firmly established their own trademark sound.  It had echoes of those three and other, heavier bands like Guns 'N Roses and even Metallica, with a jazzy, funky underlay unique to Band-Maid.  Now they began to experiment with more sounds and structures from outside mainstream rock.  

 We can say at this point that Band-Maid transcend genre.  Their compositions defy the typical categorizations that imprison so many Western artists. Here are a few examples in that evolution:

“Turn Me On” (Live, 2018)

Start with the raw rock vibe of “Take Me Higher”, add thunderous funk riffs on the bass, throw in some poppy backing vocals and a short, fiery metal guitar solo, and this is what you get. As always, Akane slays it on the drums, constantly playing with the rhythm, and adding those crazy fills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9ibUQ-V-Z4

 

 

“Glory” (2018)

This is a short song, yet covers a lot of ground musically, experimenting with rhythm and tempo changes, vocals syncopated with the instruments, and as usual with Band-Maid, lots of excursions by the bass and drums that somehow work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAMiLTiXPpU

 

 

“Bubble” (Jan. 2019)

Another surprise:  A groovy song with the vocals hopscotching among multiple styles (even toying with something close to rapping), and as always, imaginative bass and drum lines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_PWQtc7zVw