Review | Daiki Yamashita “Candle”

Daiki Yamashita embraces the warmth, playfulness and nostalgia of citypop in his bouncy digital single “Candle”.

Title: キャンドル
Release date: 30/03/2022
Label: A-Sketch
Genre: Citypop

Tracklist:

1 - キャンドル

Track analysis:

1 – キャンドル

“Candle” brings a jolly, jazzy sound to the spotlight that is a first for Daiki Yamashita. You’re taken back in time to the 80s with the citypop-inspired instrumental that awaits you.

The verses open the curtains to this bouncy, warm soundscape with the bassy, rich drums setting a comfortable tone and tempo for this song.

Slowly, playful synths join in alongside the blues-style guitar riffs that give this song a summery twist – or at least will have you longing for summer – and that bassline? The bassline is massive. Those low, reverberating notes paint the soundscape, giving it a “feel good” vibe ensuring you that “Candle” has a good bounce, perfect to take you to the dancefloor.

The playful tone in this song carries over seamlessly from verses to the bubbly and catchy chorus in which Daiki Yamashita brings his technicality as a singer to the spotlight.

Yamashita’s performance is a mix of clean singing and slow rapping – almost like talking – in the verses, going technical in the verses with flawless head voice parts on top of his clean singing.

If you’re a sucker for groovy bass and guitar solos – like me -, then let me tell you that this song provides both albeit brief ones that leave you definitely wanting more.

When the song wraps with a jazzy piano in the background, you hear clapping from just one person. It is you. You were taken to this awesome soundscape, joining in the fun and not leaving until the song wrapped up.

In a way, I was left wanting to hear more yet, for the second time, Daiki Yamashita leaves a song with an open ending, hinting at more or leaving that story to be filled in by your thoughts.

After listening to “Candle”, you’ll be left with a massive grin on your face, a lot of nostalgia for the 80s (even if you weren’t born back then), and want to hear more music by Daiki Yamashita.

“Candle” is available for streaming on Spotify.

Do not support piracy. Remember to support Daiki Yamashita by streaming via official outlets.