Back in January, BAND-MAID released their solid seventh full-length album Unseen World. However, the rest of the year was relatively quiet
for the band. The maids played a few nice online streaming shows and were invited to perform at the Australian virtual musical festival Splendour XR, but all of this can’t be compared to the band’s busy touring schedule of the pre-COVID era. Thankfully,
they haven’t forgotten about their fans and released the new single Sense towards the end of the year to remind listeners that BAND-MAID has switched to playing a more complex, fast-paced style of music.
It’s not a surprise that all three new tracks are action-packed, as they were written around the same time as the speedy and aggressive Unseen World. Moreover, this fresh single offers a step up in quality from the previous one.
The title track from Different was somewhat chaotic and overloaded with different elements, which gave the impression BAND-MAID was trying to tame a disobedient musical monster. Sense is complaisant, well-paced and easier to listen
to. However, the track doesn't lack dynamics. It offers listeners adrenaline-fueled drumming by AKANE and fast shredding by KANAMI, as well as an orchestral opening and overall energetic atmosphere.
The two remaining songs try their best to maintain the same speed. Hibana offers BAND-MAID’s
familiar hard rock with catchy choruses. Meanwhile, the roguish Corallium sticks in the mind not only because of its constantly changing rhythm and amazing use of bass drum, but also due to SAIKI's unexpected rapping. In all honesty, the
closing track is easily among the liveliest songs in the maids’ discography.
It is quite difficult to call Sense a standalone release, because it comes off as a continuation of Unseen World. That album set BAND-MAID on a new course towards a more energetic and complex sound, and none of the three songs
on this energy bomb of a single would sound out of place on the January release.
