Anthos* revisits its original ethereal sound, gives it a mature twist and raises the bar insanely high with “THINK OF ME: TELL”.
Anthos* is comprised of Kent Ito, Wataru Komada, Toshiki Masuda, Shunichi Toki, Daiki Hamano, Seiichiro Yamashita, and Shun Horie.
Title: THINK OF ME: TELL Label: AIЯRIDE RECORDS. / Movic Release date: 21/10/2022 Genre: Minimalistic Electronica/Acapella
Tracklist:
1 - Project Archive: A 3-1 2 - Project Archive: A 3-2 3 - Project Archive: A 3-3 4 - Project Archive: A 3-4 5 - Project Archive: A 3-5 6 - TELL 7 - Mirage In Mirage
Track by track analysis:
6 – TELL
Anthos* kicks off “TELL” in acapella fashion, impressing on the vocal end with their harmonies. However, there is much more to this song than what meets the eye (or ear).
As soon as the intro is over, smoothly the first verse kicks in, bringing in industrial brass stabs, a washy beat, and a punchy bassline that creates an addictive sound that, believe me, will put your body in motion.
When it comes to the chorus, Anthos* goes an interesting route. The chorus kicks off in acapella, letting the 7 voices create a beautiful sound echoing in the beautiful soundscape in front of you. While the sound is really tight in the verses, you can notice that at least the first part of the chorus is breathy and quite open, something that arrives as a nice contrasting twist to this song.
The vocals are, by far, the best part of this unique tune. The harmonies in acapella, the energy, and the precision in the verses mixing rap and clean singing, stand out. Individual parts are smooth and contained and when the chorus kicks in you get to experience the vocal prowess that Anthos* has been waiting to unleash.
“TELL” arrives with a never-before-heard sound while bringing a lot of new things on the vocal end that shows that this group is, indeed, a top one.
7 – Mirage in Mirage
“Mirage in Mirage” brings a dreamy sound to the spotlight. What happens when light and dark blend, when you get inspired by the ritualistic, mesmerizing sounds of Buddhist music and add to it a danceable bassy beat that brings African and Caribbean influences?
This beauty of a song happens.
You have a meditation bowl creating a drone-like sound in the background, a harp, atmospheric synths, guitar hits, and a simple, snare-driven beat mixed with timbales hits and congas. The sound is as dreamy and mysterious, visiting the four corners of the world while making Anthos* charms stand out.
When the chorus smoothly arrives, you’ll find yourself enveloped in a passionate, warm sound and it’ll be hard not to dance along to it given how bouncy this song is.
On the vocal end, this is yet another song in which Anthos* shows just how unbelievably good its lineup is.
From the insane technicality of Kent Ito, Shunichi Toki, and Shun Horie’s singing to Daiki Hamano, Wataru Komada and Seiichiro Yamashita’s versatility as both rappers and singers and Toshiki Masuda’s impressive harmonizations with both sides of the group while leading the way in the chorus, what you get on the vocal end is a treat for fans of good performances with a lot of quality and technicality.
Love and pure desire can be felt in this song and it is mesmerizing throughout.
Final considerations
Well, Anthos* really went through a route I was not expecting for “TELL”. This single is filled with new things both on the instrumental and vocal sides.
For starters, putting this awesome lineup performing an acapella in “TELL” (the song) is bloody amazing.
The group does have the vocal prowess for that and more.
3 of the best tenors in the seiyuu industry (Kent Ito, Shunichi Toki, and Shun Horie), an insanely versatile high baritone (Toshiki Masuda), a powerful bass that has the same high-quality singing as well as rapping (Daiki Hamano) and two solid baritones (Seiichiro Yamashita and Wataru Komada) that can do it all.
Anthos*’s vocal lineup should not be going under the radar given how technical and complete it is.
And in “TELL”, the group goes the extra mile to showcase just how awesome they can be on the vocal end, delivering two outstanding performances that test the limits of their vocals as well as breathe new air to the group’s repertoire while going back to their origins.
As a result, the sound in “TELL” – the single – is dreamy and ethereal, embracing simplicity in order to deliver a punch to your emotions whether it is behind the dark stories going on in the franchise or when relaying love to you while controlling desire in one of the most mature and tasteful ways I’ve had the pleasure of coming across.
“TELL” is all about its acapella and unique composition in which the chorus has the least tension in the whole song, leaving the job of controlling it to the vocals that do so flawlessly.
Then, “Mirage in a Mirage” arrives to sweep you off your feet. This is a dreamy song. It has desire and love at its core. It is an extremely warm song coming from Anthos*. And it has, hands down, the best performance by the group to date.
The harmonies and unique lineups on the vocal end, the sweet, ritualistic, ethereal sound, and that insanely catchy chorus were more than enough to grab my full attention in complete awe throughout as each member pulled their aces to the stage, determined to impress everyone.
This song is ridiculously good, a highlight in this CD, and easily one of the best songs released in 2022. Kudos as well for Leeep (composed “TELL”) and Zakbee (composed “Mirage in Mirage”) for making the group shine in its own colors yet while exploring new things in their musicality.
All in all, when “TELL” wraps up, you’re left wanting more from the talented septet. Anthos* is in its best phase with complete harmony on the vocal end while bringing back its dreamy sound yet approaching it in a more mature way than ever before.
“TELL” stands tall as one of the best singles ever released by Anthos*.
Masterful from start to finish.
“THINK OF ME: TELL” is available for purchase at CDJAPAN.
“TELL” is available for streaming on Spotify.
Do not support piracy. Remember to support Anthos* by streaming via official outlets.
