Track Listing
EP 1
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Shounan Zoku -Cannibal Coast-
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Darkwave Surfer
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Transcrypt
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Hot Blood Workout
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V. Madonna Schizoid
EP 2
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Innsmouth
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69 Balloons
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Economical Animal Superstar
EP 3
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Border of the Dead
1. Shounan Zoku – Cannibal Coast-
The first EP begins with a new track of theirs. I’m so used to the music that they were bringing out that this isn’t very different except they aren’t using horror films to fuel the songs. EXO-CHIKA sounds pretty good with her voice and RAVEMAN’s synth usage has definitly gotten better. I just wish the song wasn’t so short….This could’ve been an amazing rave song.
2. Darkwave Surfer
Coming from their last release, “DEATH FOLDER”, Darkwave Surfer has gotten a bit of a change since the single. First off the beginning is revamped around and then EXO-CHIKA gets the echo treatment which the synths don’t sound as raw as they did back on the single either. I’m not sure if I like the new version as much as I enjoyed the older version. It still has the crazy synth melody though so iono…
3. Transcrypt
Transcrypt to me has a more band sound from the start with a guitar melody playing with loud drums. To say this is the most organic song of the EP isn’t much because there’s still a lot of synths present. I’m also noticing that EXO-CHIKA is singing at a better tone than she was back on “Vampire Ecstasy”. I’m not sure, but this song doesn’t do anything for me.
4. Hot Blood Workout
The same problem resides in our track as well. It oddly sounds a little bit too empty at the start with just EXO-CHIKA and synths keeping in rhythm with a boom-chick drum. What really surprised was the squeaky synth that played a melody by itself which made me laugh hard. Other than that there’s other tracks.
5. V. Madonna Schizoid
Ending off the first EP, V. Madonna Schizoid sounds like it’d be really interesting and it actually is. EXO-CHIKA is singing pretty damn fast and then the time signature changes throwing me off into the chorus where it consists of a clapping beat. I don’t know, but this felt very empty, even moreso than “Hot Blood Workout”…It even ends in a poor way not really leaving much of an impression.
EP 2
1. Innsmouth
Our 2nd EP begins once again with an upbeat sound which made me happy right from the start. Innsmouth to me sound like 16-bit with RAVEMAN working behind the synths. I don’t know why, but this song feels energetic and EXO-CHIKA’s hectic and repetitive lyrics fit the mood of the song just right.
2. 69 Balloons
Other than the suggestive title. 69 Balloons is probably the most energetic song of the three EP’s because it’s basically trance. EXO-CHIKA sees this as a pretty good opportunity to really give the song a darkness boost and her anguish shines in this track. It’s definitly my favorite off of the 3. GREAT SONG!
3. Economical Animal Superstar
Is it bad that I can’t remember when it was on “DEATH FOLDER”? I know that they revamped it like “Darkwave Surfer”, but somehow I feel this is too slow, but melodically is better. I’m pretty sure the addition of bongos was making the song stand out and it did, but I’m just still not feeling this song as much.
EP 3
1. Border of the Dead
The final EP contained a lone track. Border of the Dead should’ve been put on the second because representing as the lone track was a very poor plan. The song is good because it has a sense of direction and sounds almost New Wave-ish. Good song, but doesn’t deserve to be by itself.
The 3 EP’s (that all came out different times) all had their ups and downs. Some of the tracks are neatly created and the tracks that got retouched got it good too. Though, releasing them seperatly was a very poor plan on avex’s account and the last was just unneeded. Maybe they should’ve just released all these songs as an album perhaps?
