Great new sound from Daoko
5
By The Bellmaker
While I absolutely adore her first two albums with the Low High Who label, I really wasn't big on Dimension. Maybe if I gave it another listen now after hearing DAOKO, I would like it more.
But this newest album, straight on the heels of Dimension, comes as a welcome surprise! It's a new sound to be sure, one that I think you can start to see come out in Dimension. Pop-y, more melodic you could say. The songs become less free-styled raps and more structured, with repeated choruses and catchy melodies. Meanwhile the background beats and music felt noticeably simpler to me (although there are some really neat moments with strings and new instruments) but are still enticing and support Daoko's soaring breathy vocals.
Songs like "Kimi" and "Ichiban Boshi" step firmly and unabashedly into Electro-Pop, but Daoko pulls them off really well. And fans of the older hip-hop will find lots of moments of that too, and songs like "Iya" and "Takai Kabeniwa..." will appeal to them I think.
It's entirely possible that if the hip-hop is really what you got stuck on Daoko for, you'll dislike most of this new album, but I think it's a great foray into a new style while retaining the thoughtful, mysterious lyrics and unique voice that Daoko is known for.
A++ Great new album. Really superb. Can't think of a song I dislike. Maybe JK is just a little slow for me but that's it as far as complaints go. Right now I'm particulary digging Suisei, Boku, and Takai Kabeniwa Ikusen-No Door though.
