IDOLiSH7 carries over from the success of its mature 2nd album to deliver a set of sweet and passionate performances in “Mallow Blue”.
IDOLiSH7 consists of Yamato (CV: Yusuke Shirai), Iori (CV: Toshiki Masuda), Mitsuki (CV: Tsubasa Yonaga), Tamaki (CV: KENN), Sogo (CV: Atsushi Abe), Nagi (CV: Takuya Eguchi), and Riku (CV: Kensho Ono).
Review
Title: マロウブルー Release date: 25/05/2022 Label: Lantis Genre: Pop
Tracklist:
1 - マロウブルー 2 - Because Now!! 3 - マロウブルー (off vocal) 4 - Because Now!! (off vocal)
Track by track analysis:
1 – マロウブルー
A mellow piano melody carefully introduces the listener to the beautiful soundscape awaiting them in the verses.
Energetic acoustic guitar melodies, gentle strings, and a washy beat perk you up; however, those delicate piano runs will really put a massive smile on your face.
The chorus is as gentle and colorful as the verses, bringing in little details in the synths – with stabs adding a nice depth to the song – and the piano really taking over with jolly yet loving melodies.
It is worth noting that while this is a feel-good, sweet pop song, there is still a place for the electric guitar to shine, adding a brief yet perfect solo in the latter stages of the song.
As far as the vocals go, “Mallow Blue” is all about its gentleness and the vocals follow that style. You can expect to feel care and love through those lyrics, marrying perfectly with the instrumental. The harmony between vocals and the emotional range stood out for me with the group showcasing their maturity through a contained, loving performance.
This was not a technical performance and it didn’t need to be. It was all about emotion and I believe all members conveyed that pretty well.
2 – Because Now!!
“Because Now!!” changes dynamics to this single introducing slap bass rhythms, playful brass and synth stabs.
It is clear that this instrumental has strong influences of ska, surfer rock, and 90s pop. This may seem to be a weird mix and it will certainly make the song come across as dysfunctional.
One moment you’re listening to clean snarky drums paired with a laidback guitar and brass work. On the other, you’re listening to a bubbly pop section. In others there are synths – and synth stabs – for days.
It is a bold song composition-wise that I feel may not click with everyone as quickly as “Mallow Blue” does.
I’d say, this song feels like the matured version of “Natsu Shiyouze”.
Despite the constant changes in dynamics on the composition end, the vocals are steady, and energetic, bringing to life the excitement in the lyrics.
Whether it’ll click with you will be a matter of how big of a fan you are of ever-changing compositions with a bubbly tone.
Final considerations
IDOLISH7 is back soon after the release of its stellar 2nd album “Opus”.
And carrying over from that release fans will find the group back with a mature sound, even if, at times, there are insanely playful – slightly chaotic – songs in their repertoire, nodding at the group’s debut days.
“Mallow Blue” – the single – brings that nostalgia from the group’s debut days yet at the same time showcases just how much the group has grown.
The title track is a beauty of a pop song. Sweet, gentle, and rather mature in its presentation.
The mix of acoustic sound, punchy, groovy basslines – that slap bass is crazy in the chorus – and delicate piano melodies instantly grabbed my attention, carrying itself in a mature way. Then the vocals showcase the individual and group growth.
Every member is in perfect sync in this performance, with the same power, the same passion, and the same care. And you feel that in this emotional track.
Easily one of IDOLiSH7’s best songs released to date.
The same can’t be said about the b-side track.
“Because Now!!” has that vibe of a song perfect to wrap up a show, welcoming all fans to sing along to it. It really gives off those “Natsu Shiyouze” vibes with a twist of Re:vale’s “Re-raise”, however, it presents itself in a less intense and elegant way.
My evaluation of the track came down to the enjoyment I took from its constant changes. Some made sense to me composition-wise while others were really only there without adding any value to the song itself (for example, the 90s vibe synths are but an accent, nothing more).
I believe this will be a song that will work much better in a live setting, bringing in the excitement of fans to sing along, and having the group interact with the public while performing in a carefree way.
On record, however, this song can be a bit too much to deal with due to its constant music genre changes and dragging “na na na na” part in the outro.
All in all, IDOLiSH7 makes a strong entrance in this series of group releases in the franchise with the gentle and mature “Mallow Blue”. Far from the group’s best release – and a bit overshadowed if in comparison to “Opus” – but still a single well worth checking out.
“Mallow Blue” is available for purchase at CDJAPAN.
“Mallow Blue” is available for streaming on Spotify.
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