Review | Anthos* “ROOM”

Anthos ROOM

“ROOM” makes Anthos* run for their lives in search of liberation while delivering a series of impactful performances in what is their most polarizing CD to date.

Anthos* features vocals by Kent ItoWataru KomadaToshiki MasudaShunichi TokiDaiki Hamano, Seiichiro Yamashita, and Shun Horie.


Anthos THINK OF ME ROOM cover
Title: THINK OF ME: ROOM
Label: AIЯRIDE RECORDS. / Movic
Release date: 01/03/2024
Genre: EDM/Nu-disco

Tracklist:

1 - Project Archive: A 3-16
2 - Project Archive: A 3-17
3 - Project Archive: A 3-18
4 - Project Archive: A 3-19
5 - Project Archive: A 3-20
6 - Liberation
7 - Clap! Clap! Clap

Track by track analysis:

6 – Liberation

Anthos* brings a somber sound to the spotlight with the intro to “Liberation“. The melodies are in minor key, echoing the background almost delivering a dissonant sound to the listener.

The feeling that something is wrong, the stakes are high and the end might be near are strong in “Liberation”.

A clap track, atmospheric synths and a piano melody that feels like time is counting down join in the instrumental, further enhancing those vibes.

Now, this is Liberation” is such a powerful statement that what you will get will both be expected and surprise you. Why? Because Anthos* has never had such an aggressive and violent EDM sound.

The bassline is dirty, and the drums create a sense of urgency – especially in the build-up to the chorus, almost seems like people are running for their lives, seeing freedom as the horizon to reach, fast.

That sense that this is the last call for something important and that you’ve got to make a run for it to have a happy end is really strong in this song. There’s no denying it for me (once again, I don’t know how it fits with Anthos*’s story as I’m not following it closely).

The composition is fairly simple, going for a dancehall type of EDM in the first part of the chorus, then going low and dirty in the 2nd part of the chorus.

After that, it tones down and brings the group’s dreamy vibe to the bridge – opening the stage for the group’s main vocals to shine – before cranking up those downtempo, aggressive vibes that you get in the verses and chorus to its end.

I particularly love the dreamy first verse with the reverting piano melody before the song builds up to the monster it is.

Another thing I love – and this is me going into detail in this song – is the slowing down of the instrumental for Daiki Hamano and Seiichiro Yamashita to take the stage to rap on top of a dark and intense sound. That’s a nice touch that brings a moment of reflection about the stakes and story in this song.

Also, pay attention to the lyrics as those are referencing previous CDs and songs. It is a nice touch for fans of storytelling that comes full circle.

When it comes to the vocals, I love how melodic all members sound in the verses. There’s a lot of vibrato coming from Toshiki Masuda whereas Kent Ito, Shunichi Toki, and Shun Horie are all about those sweet and gentle vocals.

On the other end, Daiki Hamano, Seiichiro Yamashita, and Wataru Hatano are pure power and, in my opinion, a big reason why this song sounds almost “violent” and “passive-aggressive” in some parts. They really brought a lot of power and intensity to this performance that, otherwise, would have been too dreamy on the vocal end.

I was not expecting to enjoy a deep, intense EDM tune such as this one but honestly, storytelling-wise, this song is everything Anthos* fans could expect of this important chapter in the THINK OF ME CD series.

7 – Clap! Clap! Clap

And Anthos* wraps up this CD with “Clap! Clap! Clap“, song that, yet again, shows that this group shines a lot in its b-side tracks.

This song brings to the spotlight a groovy, nu-disco-driven sound which is the first time for Anthos*.

Expect a bouncy bassline, funky guitar riffs and licks, fancy brass, and dreamy piano melodies.

The soundscape is bright, hopeful, and fun. Happiness hasn’t been expressed in such a clearer way in Anthos*’s music before.

This is a massive change but there are still some “dark” elements in there, especially noticeable in the rap break in which the instrumental completely shifts tone and vibe.

The chorus is an explosion of color, with a warm bass-driven sound leading the way as the whole group teams up to perform in unison – if it’s not the first time they perform a full chorus in unison, it may be the second time it happens.

When the bridge kicks in, you have “hope” coming from those delicate piano melodies, signally a new day, celebrating a victory and looking to the future with a smile on the face.

This song is such a treat from start to finish. A refreshing take on Anthos* song and an important storytelling device bringing to you outstanding vocals and an addictive sound that will have you put this song on replay.


Final considerations

Anthos* shows that the stakes are high in “ROOM” with an impending escape rushing them and making them run for it.

Liberation” is the most violent and dark that Anthos* has sounded since their debut and oh boy, this is a massive tune. The EDM sound in this song is powerful, dirty, and urgent, something that will instantly sound new to this group.

You notice Anthos* changing its mindset slowly as the darkness seeps in, changing its ethereal sound in the intro and first verse into a pure dark and aggressive downtempo sound. This shift in tone – and resolve – ties up with the storytelling progression that fans of the drama tracks have been experiencing.

As a result, “Liberation” references several of the previous CD releases – and songs – in the THINK OF ME CD series while running for their lives, with only liberation in mind.

Now, this is pure storytelling in music format only – and mind you, I haven’t checked the drama tracks in this franchise yet – so for those following the story more closely, this song is going to hit like a freight train.

Things change around for “Clap! Clap! Clap“, song that proves once again why you shouldn’t just check the leading tracks for Anthos*.

The group always brings something refreshing and impactful and this time around they fully embraced a disco (in this case, nu-disco) sound, a first time for the group.

And that results in one of the most entertaining and “happy” songs the group has released to date. It is so rare for this group to have a song that feels this openly happy and joyous so it will certainly catch you off guard.

If there is one thing I keep on saying about Anthos* is that this group is amazing.

Their music keeps on evolving as the story evolves, everything ties up neatly, all members have come to the spotlight to show what they’re made of, and fans really get the best of the best performances by a group that continues to have no match.

Anthos*’s “ROOM” arrives to shake things up in the THINK OF ME CD series, making Anthos* run for their lives in search of liberation while reflecting on their wounds and their next steps in a series of impactful songs and performances.

Check out the video review!


“THINK OF ME: ROOM” is available for purchase at CDJAPAN.


ROOM” is available for streaming on Spotify.


Do not support piracy. Remember to support Anthos* by streaming via official outlets.

Vanessa Silva
Vanessa Silvahttps://www.handthatfeedshq.com
The Hand That Feeds HQ founder, content creator, and music reviewer. Basically, the only person managing everything at The Hand That Feeds HQ. Stumbling upon Mamoru Miyano's "Orpheus" in 2011 was the start of this journey. If music is thought-provoking or deep, you may find her writing almost essays (not limited to, but it happens a lot with Soma Saito's music). She's the producer and host of the male seiyuu-centric podcast, SEIYUU LOUNGE (see Spotify link in this profile).

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REVIEW OVERVIEW

Liberation
Clap! Clap! Clap

SUMMARY

"ROOM" shakes things up in the THINK OF ME CD series, making Anthos* run for their lives in search of liberation while reflecting on their story so far in a series of impactful songs. Anthos* shows that the stakes are high in "ROOM" with an impending escape rushing them and making them run for it. "Liberation" is the most violent and dark that Anthos* has sounded since their debut and oh boy, this is a massive tune. The EDM sound in this song is powerful, dirty, and urgent, something that will instantly sound new to this group. Things change around for "Clap! Clap! Clap", song that proves once again why you shouldn't just check the leading tracks for Anthos*. Anthos*'s "ROOM" arrives to shake things up in the THINK OF ME CD series, making Anthos* run for their lives in search of liberation while reflecting on their wounds and their next steps in a series of impactful songs and performances.

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"ROOM" shakes things up in the THINK OF ME CD series, making Anthos* run for their lives in search of liberation while reflecting on their story so far in a series of impactful songs. Anthos* shows that the stakes are high in "ROOM" with an impending escape rushing them and making them run for it. "Liberation" is the most violent and dark that Anthos* has sounded since their debut and oh boy, this is a massive tune. The EDM sound in this song is powerful, dirty, and urgent, something that will instantly sound new to this group. Things change around for "Clap! Clap! Clap", song that proves once again why you shouldn't just check the leading tracks for Anthos*. Anthos*'s "ROOM" arrives to shake things up in the THINK OF ME CD series, making Anthos* run for their lives in search of liberation while reflecting on their wounds and their next steps in a series of impactful songs and performances. Review | Anthos* "ROOM"