Review | IDOLiSH7 "Mr.AFFECTiON" – The Hand That Feeds HQ

Contrasting songs bring forth the energy and emotion of IDOLiSH7 in Mr.AFFECTiON.

Title: Mr.AFFECTiON
Label: Lantis
Release date: 08/01/2020
Genre: Pop/Ballad

Tracklist:

01. Mr.AFFECTiON
02. ハツコイリズム
03. Mr.AFFECTiON (Off Vocal)
04. ハツコイリズム (Off Vocal)

Track by track analysis:

01. Mr.AFFECTiON

IDOLiSH7 is back with an intense, fast-paced electro-pop track.

Mr.AFFECTiON is big on its progressive synths, glitchy synth hits and fills, a simple, bassy beat, and an upbeat main melody that takes this song to a whole new level of energizing (or energy-draining song if songs like this tend to drain you).

The bridge is made for this song to shine in a live setting.

Vocally, this group pulled off a synced and powerful performance that, together with the high throttle instrumental, was overflowing with energy.

02. ハツコイリズム

Hatsukoi Rhythm shines with its acoustic instrumental with a romantic yet melancholic vibe.

Acoustic guitars, sweet piano melodies, gentle bassline, and drums create a warm and emotional soundscape as if IDOLiSH7 are serenading the listener as street lights illuminate them and snow falls.

Its gentle instrumental, the vocal direction is consistent, quality performance for this track makes it easily one of the group’s best songs. The highlight of the release.

Final considerations

After a year without any group releases, IDOLiSH7 made their return with Mr.AFFECTiON.

The single counts with two contrasting songs in tone and instrumentalization. On one hand, we have the excitement and energy of the title track, riding on a lot of synth work and dancefloor-driven beats.

On the other, we have IDOLiSH7 performing their best ballad to date.

Hatsukoi Rhythm has the makings of a MEZZO ballad but exudes a completely different warmth as that takes that quality up to a septet standard, richer on the vocal end.

All in all, this is one of the most consistent singles the group has released.

The group continues to improve on the vocal end. The music itself was catchy and quiet but both tracks with a lot of emotion – on different spectrums – in them.

This is a release that is exciting without being cheesy, and slow-paced and gentle without being generic. Mr.AFFECTiON is a must-listen.

Mr.AFFECTiON is available for purchase at CDJAPAN.