Gray Sheep enters the stage with music spanning genres from pop and EDM to hip-hop with a touch of funk, impressing from the get-go with their versatility and powerful vocals in “Gray Sheep EP01”.
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.
GOAT features vocals by Seiichiro Yamashita (as SNOW), Kent Ito (as COLOR) and Yohei Azakami (as NURSE).
BAD SKUNK features vocals by Makoto Furukawa (as JUNKY), Kentaro Kumagai (as AK) and Shunichi Toki (as NERU).
Know more about this franchise in the extended feature here at The Hand That Feeds HQ.
Review
Title: Gray Sheep EP01 Release date: 24/01/2024 Label: MAGES. Genre: Pop/EDM/Hip-Hop/Funk
Tracklist:
1 - Greatest homie (GOAT) 2 - Groovy Good Beat (BAD SKUNK) 3 - Greatest homie -Off Vocal- 4 - Groovy Good Beat -Off Vocal- 5 - DRAMA TRACK 1 6 - DRAMA TRACK 2 7 - DRAMA TRACK 3 8 - DRAMA TRACK 4 9 - DRAMA TRACK 5
Track by track analysis:
1 – Greatest homie
The Gray Sheep franchise kicks off its debut CD with “Greatest Homie”, song performed by GOAT.
This song opens the doors with a downtempo dance beat, setting a cool and comfortable pacing. A clap track, washy synths, and echoing vocal hits add up to the dancefloor vibe you instantly get from this song.
The verses are dreamy, with polysynths painting the wide and echoey soundscape in a way that makes it seem like it has no end. Still, an interesting twist here comes from the vocals that are actually quite close to you, the listener.
One thing I love about this song is the jaunty, tip-toeing style of piano playing that is going on in this track. This is a big reason why the danceable vibe in this song is so, so addictive.
In the verses
I’m not the biggest fan of auto-tune – quite the contrary – but I always say that this kind of gimmick when it comes to vocals manipulation has a time and place.
In this case, in “Greatest Homie”, you have a dreamy soundscape, echoey for the most part, and a sort of futurist vibe to itself. Auto-tune vocals are made for this, further enhancing that whole vibe. And used sparingly – like in this case – I feel like auto-tuned vocals end up being an asset.
Riding on a jaunty piano melody and with a simple clap track + snare combo raising the tension, the chorus arrives and is a pure explosion of color.
The chorus is addictive and, in a way, it was hyping me up throughout. It’s not only about how the song builds up tension towards the chorus; it’s also about how the chorus dispels that tension while continuing to raise it pleasingly.
When it comes to the vocals, this trio has a cool lineup.
Seiichiro Yamashita is leading the way for this group with his powerful mid-toned high baritone/low tenor vocals, and Kent Ito is an absolute beast with his warm, full mid-toned tenor vocals.
At the same time, this was the first time I heard Yohei Azakami singing and let me tell you, I enjoyed it.
Be it on vocals or instrumental-wise, GOAT makes a big impression right from the start.
2 – Groovy Good Beat
And wrapping up this CD is BAD SKUNK’s “Groovy Good Beat“. Now, this song completely strays away from the vibe of the previous track.
Funky guitar riffs, a breakbeat, and a punchy bassline are at the core of this track.
Those instruments are responsible for adding a lot of bounce to this track, at the same time giving it a groovy, old-school vibe that instantly caught my attention.
The synths stabs add another fancy layer to this track, making the intro and the first verse quite impressive.
The tasteful instrumental doesn’t build up a lot of tension towards the chorus but what we get is more than enough to groove alongside the song.
The second verse introduces a rap breakdown. The instrumental welcomes trap elements, slowing down the beat and making good use of those hi-hat triplets. At the same time, Makoto Furukawa, Kentaro Kumagai, and Shunichi Toki go all with their rapping.
While Furukawa and Toki have a proven record of rapping – from Paradox Live -, it was actually the first time I’ve heard Kumagai’s rapping and the mix of an aggressive delivery with a rougher voice worked like a charm.
When it comes to the singing and all the fancy unison – in this case it makes sense – in the chorus, Makoto Furukawa, Kentaro Kumagai, and Shunichi Toki prove to be an awesome trio.
Just like in GOAT, all members of BAD SKUNK have a wide range from faux bass to tenor. At the same time, all showed their rapping skills so you also have to add that to their good points.
The only thing that didn’t make this song perfectly enjoyable for me was the whole bridge section. While I easily noticed it was a nod to late 80s/early 90s US pop song structure – especially bridge sections à la Michael Jackson’s “Bad” album – it was too busy and the soundscape was murky, making the whole bridge sound like a completely different song altogether.
I would have toned down that part to make the song flow a bit smoother but it was still quite the enjoyable listen.
Final considerations
Gray Sheep appears as a franchise delivering not only an interesting story but also bringing forward two groups with awesome lineups.
Yes, one of the strengths of this project – right from the start – lies with the groups and their members.
GOAT features vocals by Seiichiro Yamashita (as SNOW), Kent Ito (as COLOR) and Yohei Azakami (as NURSE).
This group has a more “concise” and “disciplined” vocal line than BAD SKUNK. And they have one of the best singers among male seiyuu in the lineup – Kent Ito – who serves as a pillar for their performance.
Seiichiro Yamashita usually has an explosive style of performance but in this case, he sounded calm and collected, and confident, especially leading the way for this group.
Yohei Azakami has a voice that I’m still warming up to – and especially, getting familiar with – so I don’t have much to say beyond what I did a couple of paragraphs above. I enjoyed his voice and feel he added a lot to the group.
From what I can gather from my first approach to the group, they have a solid sound and their performance is powerful, actually, the best one on this CD.
If know me and my relationship with pop/EDM music, this may sound like a surprise but I did enjoy this song more than BAD SKUNK’s.
Seeing as BAD SKUNK has my favorite vocals in this franchise and one of my all-time favorite singers among seiyuu, Makoto Furukawa, as part of it, and I still felt they came short, this is a sign that GOAT really shines in this CD.
On the other hand, BAD SKUNK features vocals by Makoto Furukawa (as JUNKY), Kentaro Kumagai (as AK) and Shunichi Toki (as NERU).
This is a more “explosive” and “chaotic” group with a ridiculously good emotional range and the widest vocal range of them all – covering from faux bass to high tenor.
At the same time, I feel like they have the biggest potential for a chaotic sound or, at least, an unpredictable one. This already shows in “Groovy Good Beat” with its unorthodox bridge section, completely disrupting their punchy funky sound.
Now, if we talk specifically about the music, I don’t know about you, but I was expecting this project to not approach pop music – given its concept.
But even if there’s a lot of pop and EDM in here, both groups sound nothing alike other 2D groups. Given how I listen to more than 40 different 2D groups and I still couldn’t say “They sound like group X”, this is a massive plus for me. I enjoy it when groups are just slightly different from everyone else. It gives them a unique identity and moving forward it can give way to interesting things music-wise.
All in all, the Gray Sheep franchise brings awesome vocals, two cool groups, and a story that will appeal to those fans of sci-fi themes. For me, their music alone made me want to follow the project and see where both groups take their music next.
If you’re on the fence about whether you should check them out or not, I’ll add that, if you love pop, EDM, and hip-hop, you have to check out this franchise.
“Gray Sheep EP01” is available for purchase at CDJAPAN.
“Gray Sheep EP01” is available for streaming on Spotify.
Do not support piracy. Remember to support the Gray Sheep franchise by streaming via official outlets.
