BAD SKUNK turns the tables around and arrives with a dark and gritty rock-meets-pop digital single in “VIOLET LOVE”.
“VIOLET LOVE” is available on streaming platforms worldwide.
Title: VIOLET LOVE Release date: 18/02/2024 Label: MAGES. Genre: Rock/Pop
Tracklist:
1 - VIOLET LOVE
Track analysis:
1 – VIOLET LOVE
BAD SKUNK knows how to make an entrance, kicking the doors open with cool guitar riffs, a slow-paced beat, and intense “VIOLET LOVE”.
This is a big departure in sound and vibe from the group’s debut song. In this case, the trio ditched their funky sound and fully embraced an imposing, dirty, and lawless rock sound with hits and bits of pop in there.
The intro to this song instantly had my full attention and as it progressed, it continued to be as interesting and as gripping as I had anticipated. “VIOLET LOVE” has strong late 90s edgy pop idol vibes and I’m all for it.
The verses are slow-paced and focused on putting the spotlight on the vocals – something that changes when the chorus kicks in.
Yes, the chorus is rather intense and busy. Thankfully, the “busy” aspect of it didn’t make the mix sound weird.
You can expect a lot of drama, with shredding guitar riffs, intense synth hits, tight drums, strings, and in the background – really far into the soundscape – orchestral hits that crank up the urgency, add a layer of darkness and dirtiness to the song.
There is a latent dangerous vibe coming from this song that I really enjoy.
I love the bridge with the staccato strings alongside the slow-paced triplets, slowly fading away to give way to rising drama leading up to the final chorus. That whole section is so simple and yet so effective in making the song more exciting while giving the spotlight yet again to the vocals.
On the vocal end, it is worth mentioning that the tables have turned when it comes to who sounds rough or violent. This time around, Kentaro Kumagai is singing in a smooth, melodic way, being a big reason the performance sounds so good.
Shunichi Toki is the core of the trio, doing a bit of everything shifting between a smooth and rough delivery. And the biggest surprise arrives with Makoto Furukawa going all out for a really rough and raspy performance. He genuinely sounds like he’s had more than a pack of cigarettes while performing this song.
It is THAT rough and raspy a performance. I was not expecting that, at all, especially seeing as his performance in the group’s debut song “Groovy Good Beat” was comfortably in his mid-tones with a delivery that had a tough edge but nothing like this.
But then again, the song itself demands something aggressive in vibe, and for sure Furukawa delivers that.
I only worry that this performance puts a ridiculous amount of strain on his voice and, while doable, if he ends up performing this live, it’s going to be a tough performance for him to tackle.
All in all, BAD SKUNK certainly raised the bar when it comes to the quality of their music. This time listeners get a more cohesive sonic experience while traveling yet again back to the late 90s for what is a cool rock-meets-pop tune in “VIOLET LOVE”.
What is Gray Sheep?
Is a project created by LOVE&ART, MAGES.’ otome game brand known for titles like “B-PROJECT,” “WAVE!!,” and “Meiji Tokyo Renka”.
The story focuses on the conflict and collaboration between a special force called “GOAT” and a vigilante group known as “BAD SKUNK“.
This mixed media project features drama tracks and music released by GOAT and BAD SKUNK.
BAD SKUNK features vocals by Makoto Furukawa (as JUNKY), Kentaro Kumagai (as AK) and Shunichi Toki (as NERU).
GOAT features vocals by Seiichiro Yamashita (as SNOW), Kent Ito (as COLOR) and Yohei Azakami (as NURSE).
Know more about this franchise in the extended feature here at The Hand That Feeds HQ.
“VIOLET LOVE” is available for streaming on Spotify.
Do not support piracy. Remember to support the Gray Sheep franchise by streaming via official outlets.
