Review | Anthos “IDOLls”

Anthos’ 3^rd album explores darker melodies in two contrasting tracks in “IDOLls”.

Hana-Doll* is an idol project created by movic (TSUKIPRO, VAZZROCK, Tsukiuta, etc) in 2019. 6 idols are part of Anthos, group signed to the fictional talent agency Amagiri Production.

Anthos is comprised of Daiki Hamano, Kento Ito, Wataru Komada, Toshiki Masuda, Shunichi Tokiand Seiichiro Yamashita.

Title: Hana Doll*1st season ～Flowering～ Volume 3 「IDOLls」 
Label: Movic / AIЯRIDE RECORDS.
Release date: 13/12/2019 
Genre: Trap/Minimal/Chill-out

Tracklist:

1 - Project Archive1-11
2 - Project Archive1-12
3 - Project Archive1-13
4 - Project Archive1-14
5 - Project Archive1-15
6 - S.T.O.P
7 - ChangeYourWorld

Track by track analysis:

6 – S.T.O.P

Anthos go all out for S.T.O.P. The song rides on a dark, hard-hitting trap beat with some orchestral hits to set an even darker vibe.

The verses progress on top of that dark canvas, reaching a drop that you can’t help but feel it.

The chorus brings phaser effects to the synths and a dark piano/ synth melody on top of a slowed-down beat. The chorus is an earworm.

The instrumental, by itself, is a masterful take on trap music, add to this ethereal, at times powerful vocals, and you have the group’s best song to date.

7 – ChangeYourWorld

Anthos shift away from the powerful and dark sound in the previous track to introduce the listener to an ethereal and dreamy track.

ChangeYourWorld is a track that kicks off with a hopeful piano melody on top of atmospheric synths, strings, and a minimalistic beat.

Shunichi Toki leads the way on this track, with ethereal vocals. The rest of the group follows his steps and the result is a dreamy performance in a song that could easily be categorized as a chill-out track.

Despite its vibe and the soundscape created, the song is far from following the same vibe, introducing conflicting emotional themes. The chorus lends a lot from dubstep and brings a funky bass line to the mix, a nice touch to this track.

Final considerations

Anthos makes everything sound easy. The group’s 3^rd album, IDOLs, explores darker melodies in two contrasting tracks. S.T.O.P takes the crown as the group’s best song.

From the trap instrumental and the dark vibe created around it to the vocal performances, this track is a treat. Once again, Anthos deliver something completely fresh.

If it wasn’t enough, ChangeYourWorld is a track that will make you reflect, no matter how soothing and refreshing the minimalistic instrumental. Both explore darkness with completely different results.

It is surprising that this group hasn’t picked up more heat with this release because, at the moment, they are the most unique unit in the 2D/anisong industry.

In the end, this is a masterful release. If you haven’t listened to it yet, make sure to check it on Spotify as it is available worldwide for free.

This release is available worldwide on Spotify.

IDOLls is available for purchase at CDJAPAN.

Hana Doll* 1st Season – Flowering – 3. “Idolls”

Drama CD