Anthos* has done it again with “MORE”, a bold, innovative release that captures their growth while staying true to their unique sound.
Anthos* features vocals by Kent Ito, Wataru Komada, Toshiki Masuda, Shunichi Toki, Daiki Hamano, Seiichiro Yamashita, and Shun Horie.
Title: THINK OF ME: MORE
Label: AIЯRIDE RECORDS. / Movic
Release date: 13/09/2024
Genre: Trap / Hip-Hop / EDM / Future bass
Tracklist:
1 - Project Archive: A 3-21
2 - Project Archive: A 3-22
3 - Project Archive: A 3-23
4 - Project Archive: A 3-24
5 - Project Archive: A 3-25
6 - Spectac1e
7 - Roughing laughing
Track by track analysis:
6 – Spectac1e
Anthos* kicks off this CD with “Spectac1e”, song bringing a dark, dark trap-inspired sound to the spotlight.
In the background, there is a clock ticking, echoing in the empty soundscape which is kind of an interesting detail – usually found in Loulou*di’s music not really in Anthos*.
But soon after, that clock leaves the soundscape to make way for the heavy bassy beat echoing in the empty background. It almost feels like the echo you’d get from rehearsing in an empty venue.
As the hi-hat triplets-driven beat takes over, Daiki Hamano and Seiichiro Yamashita lead the way with a powerful dual set of rap performances, bringing a lot of intensity to this performance.
The build-up to the chorus is absolutely insane. Equally measures beautiful and dreamy and incredibly dark and heavy.
Trap and dubstep coexist in this song in what is a first for Anthos*. While some of their previous songs had trap elements, dubstep was not a feature and in this song the pre-bridge section is led by a deep dubstep beat.
And can we talk about this bridge? It’s yet again as ethereal as the pre-chorus with a layer of beauty I was not expecting, bringing the atmospheric synths to create the perfect stage for the smooth vocals by the lead vocals in the group.
As far as vocals go, Anthos* delivers one of their most complete performances with a lot of variety going on. From deep, intense rapping to clean singing, a whole of technicality in the background riffing and the leading harmonies and high notes, there’s so much going on on the vocal end in this performance that only one listen is not enough to assimilate everything that is happening.
Refreshing, unique, and powerful, “Spectac1e” a song that quickly makes a massive impact on this CD.
7 – Roughing laughing
And wrapping up this release is “Roughing laughing”.
Just like in previous releases, the b-side track completely strays away from the sound of the leading track, showing a different side to Anthos*.
Snapping fingers create a laidback tempo for this song, welcoming a delicate piano melody in the background.
And that’s when those dreamy washy and atmospheric synths arrive to paint a beautiful soundscape, giving a strong throwback Anthos sound.
This gentle, slightly romantic vibe to their sound is rare and yet it fits so well with their vocals – wait a bit, I’ll talk about those below – and the vibe of this CD.
The piano is incredibly jaunty in the pre-chorus, leading to a future bass-inspired chorus that is insanely catchy.
The tone is happy, upbeat, and hopeful, once again a tone that continues throwing me off in their music as of late but that is welcomed as it, surprisingly, fits them quite well.
Now, the vocals. My friends, this is quite possibly one of the fanciest and most technical performances this group has delivered so far.
Props to the main vocal line – Kent Ito, Shunichi Toki, and Shun Horie – because they are absolutely mesmerizing in this performance with their ethereal and emotional high notes and falsetto, not to mention their R&B riffing in the verses and harmonies.
This song was made for this vocal line and they smashed it!
But let’s not forget about the rest of the group Wataru Komada, Toshiki Masuda, Daiki Hamano, and Seiichiro Yamashita do unbelievable work in the background, adding a warm, deep core to this song, serving as the perfect contrast with the powerful high notes leading the way.
And when it comes to their individual parts in the verses, every single one of them delivers an amazing performance.
Honestly, you need to listen to this song at least 8 times to get the full picture and then to pay attention to each of the individual parts. Anthos*, you’ve done it again. What an amazing song!
Final considerations
Anthos*, my dear Anthos*, you keep on impressing me with each CD you release.
“MORE” is unbelievably good. It’s a CD filled with new ideas, concepts, and performance styles and it manages to sound so familiar, “so Anthos*” while showcasing their growth, and I can’t help but be massively happy and proud of seeing (and hearing) this.
“Spectac1e” brought dubstep to the spotlight – music genre I really tried to like but never did – but they incorporated it in their music in such a stylish way that it actually sounds really good.
Also, I love how trap music continues to influence their sound – to provide a perfect stage for the group’s rappers, Daiki Hamano and Seiichiro Yamashita – and it keeps on sounding new and fun even with all the intensity and aggression that usually come with the territory.
And “Roughing laughing” fully embraced future bass – a sub-genre of EDM that has strong trap, dubstep and house influences – with a dash of funk on top to create a stylish song that refuses to leave my head (I’m not complaining though).
But the highlight of “Roughing laughing” is not the instrumental. No. No… It’s the vocals. Just listen to this song and notice how Anthos* has one of the best main vocal lines in 2D music. It’s unreal how high they go and how technical they are throughout this performance.
I’ve said it countless times before but Anthos* not only has a genuinely original sound but also has quite a powerful and versatile lineup that can, in one second, be rapping in an intense tune and, in the other, going insanely high on the vocal range and falsetto-ing their way through a downtempo dance tune with an ethereal vibe.
Anthos* proves yet again why they’re in a league of their own, blending creativity, genre fluidity, and raw talent. “MORE” is undoubtedly one of the year’s top releases, and it’s thrilling to see how far they’ve come.
“THINK OF ME: MORE” is available for purchase at CDJAPAN.
