Atarashi Okaeri 「新しいおかえり」
Matsuda Koyoi 「松田今宵」
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Matsuda Koyoi album is truly made by a single person, a sort of victory story for an indie artist looking to put their stamp into the industry. the album was crowd funded and feels like an intrinsic part of the total experience. “Atarashii Okaeri” roughly translates to “A New Welcome Back”, a journey of self discovery and new self-evident truths. the album veers from singer-songwriter style of folk into a more pop-centric upbeat journey. the album clearly has a deep personal touch in each corner and cranny of the work, and it makes for an easy connection to the listener. the waver between folk to pop makes the listening experience a bit tough to pin down as it washes between here and there, but overall the personality shines through brighter than any of it’s detractions.
i think plenty of solo indie made albums can live or die on the vision coming form one human being. the work may always be in danger of becoming too insular, too focused into one sound or point of view. Koyoi certainly does a spectacular job of keeping the album constantly fresh and diverse. in this way, her personal hand over album is a greater benefit. it definitely shows in each of the small touches laid out across the runtime. each corner is adorned with a small effect or adornment that show an impressive attention to detail. frankly, the kind of detail that only comes from an artist who is intent on full and complete authorship of their creation. a sentiment i can closely understand. for that, the album deserve recognition. however it’s not just these small touches that make the album, it’s the well considered construction of these elements that make for a connected sound. the album has depth but also a cohesive identity.
admittedly, i still find the overall experience to be a shade outside my taste to be solidified with the best pablum of this year. i wouldn’t outright title any failings of the album or be label any firm detractions, it is more so that there isn’t any one hook that reels me in to its shores. in fact i’ve probably revisited this album more times than any other album i’ve reviewed so far this year. at last i understand i’ve done this because i’ve become so endeared tot he work, however i find it to be lacking something crucial. one of those ineffable qualities that an IT album has. there really hasn’t been any one song that i keep gravitating back to over and again, which makes me scratch my head a bit. at some point i have to stop trying, stop listening to the album, and make a decision. put plainly, i certainly wish i loved this album more, i want to. i can feel over each part the personal touches that make it so personal and affirmative. but maybe this will be the album that someone else will fall deeply in love with. i certainly know there is room for that here. so i’ll have to leave it there for now.
as for the music itself, like i said, comes in a personal and lavish form. “Unbalanced”, for instance, is a self-revelatory song that build combines the singer-songwriter aspect of Koyoi with some crunchy electric guitar and pop style progressions. definitely the most identifiable song of the album, especially for its lovely personal nature. otherwise, “Netto Haikai Kiroku 「ネット徘徊記録」” is a perfect distillation of the album in total. the song is a bit wild with all its variety of effects and instrumentation, coming into a vibrant blend of sound and texture. the song displays Koyoi’s mastery of composition, a diverse and playful signature that builds upon itself but never losing its own identity. which feels like the album in full. “Omotteta Kedo Iwanai 「思ってたけど言わない」”
Atarashii Okaeri is an album i want to like more. that doesn’t mean it isn’t a terrific display of personality and authorship, especially from a single person. in this way Atarashii Okaeri soars. i also suspect that this may be the perfect fit for a great many listeners for this very reason. Koyoi’s journey feels incredibly personal and vibrant all at the same time. her album is a fun and energetic introspection that i’m happy to have come along. if anything, the amount of times i’ve come back to this album is a testament alone to my attraction to work like this. in some ways i’m a bit jealous i could put this much cohesion into any of my personal projects and works. it may not be an experience that sticks with me, but it very well may with you.
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Highlights
Unbalanced
Netto Haikai Kiroku 「ネット徘徊記録」
Omotteta Kedo Iwanai 「思ってたけど言わない」
Tracklist
Discover
Gasshō Konkūru 「合唱コンクール」
Parareru Wārudo ~Kisekiteki na Nakanaori~ 「パラレルワールド ～奇跡的な仲直り～」
Kazu Shirezu 「数知れず」
Playlist
Chirakatta Heya de 「散らかった部屋で」
Unbalanced
Netto Haikai Kiroku 「ネット徘徊記録」
Omotteta Kedo Iwanai 「思ってたけど言わない」
Atarashii Okaeri 「新しいおかえり」
