Review | Azumi Shizu “Oto”

2022 releasesENLIGHTRIBEmusicReviewsSeiyuu News
Vanessa Silva
By Vanessa Silva
1 min. read
SHIFTYz

A wide soundscape and dreamy guitars welcome the listener to a solid rock tune in Azumi Shizu’s “Oto”.

Azumi Shizu "Oto"
Title: オト
Release date: 09/07/2022
Label: Movic
Genre: Post-rock/Pop-rock

Tracklist:

1 - オト

Track analysis:

1 – Oto

Wrapping up this solo single series in the ENLIGHTRIBE franchise is SHIFTz’s Azumi Shizu (CV: Atsushi Tamaru).

“Oto” arrives with distant, overdriven guitar riffs, slowly welcoming the listener to the exciting sound that awaits you.

The verses are breathy, with reverbed guitars creating a wide soundscape for Atsushi Tamaru to take over with his mid-toned vocals.

Guitars echo in the soundscape as drums and bass go fast to keep up with that speed and intensity in the chorus. The chorus itself is brief.

Do expect a cool chorus with some effects on top to let all the tension go. As you get to the last chorus, you’re left in that liberating soundscape, appreciating every single detail in it, just taking in the good vibes.

While the instrumental does have a wide soundscape to explore, I feel like the chorus buried Tamaru’s vocals a little bit, just enough for it to be a struggle to listen to him with clarity. 

As far as Tamaru’s performance goes, he shows control and consistency throughout in what is a simple performance (considering the skills he has).

All in all, Azumi Shizu’s “Oto” wraps up this first season of solo songs in the ENLIGHTRIBE franchise with big hopes we get more opportunities to listen to the unique styles and sounds that each member has.

“Oto” is available for streaming on Spotify.

Do not support piracy. Remember to support SHIFTYz 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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4
OVERALL SCORE

REVIEW OVERVIEW

オト

SUMMARY

"Oto" arrives with a dreamy, distant guitar sound and exciting beat. While the verses are absolutely amazing, the chorus ends up removing a chunk of the charm that the song has. The vocals ended up buried in that part, result of sloppy sound mixing. As far as vocals go, Atsushi Tamaru delivered a consistently engaging performance, keeping the energy levels high. While this is not the best song in the solo series - far from that -, it is one that shows how two completely different styles within a band end up merging and creating the sound that SHIFTYz has. Same can be said about all other solo tracks in which each solo track has unique elements that represent such character and when you notice, hits and bits of those are part of what makes their band's sound awesome and unique. If you haven't checked this solo CD, now is as good a time as any. You've got unique bands, motivations, singing styles, and music genres in full display. You have surprising performances one after another. And, of course, you have quality rock all round.

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"Oto" arrives with a dreamy, distant guitar sound and exciting beat. While the verses are absolutely amazing, the chorus ends up removing a chunk of the charm that the song has. The vocals ended up buried in that part, result of sloppy sound mixing. As far as vocals go, Atsushi Tamaru delivered a consistently engaging performance, keeping the energy levels high. While this is not the best song in the solo series - far from that -, it is one that shows how two completely different styles within a band end up merging and creating the sound that SHIFTYz has. Same can be said about all other solo tracks in which each solo track has unique elements that represent such character and when you notice, hits and bits of those are part of what makes their band's sound awesome and unique. If you haven't checked this solo CD, now is as good a time as any. You've got unique bands, motivations, singing styles, and music genres in full display. You have surprising performances one after another. And, of course, you have quality rock all round. Review | Azumi Shizu "Oto"

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