Lolita23 - Hoshi no kakera

The latest single from Lolita23, Hoshi no kakera, has a little something for everyone. From rough and intense to upbeat and cheerful, it shows off the many different sides of this colorful group of performers.

A synthesized mix of sounds eases the listener into Hoshi no kakera before heavy drumming, rough guitar riffs and the underlying throbs of Ryosuke's bass line take over. The sweet sound of Sou's voice is a welcome contrast to the powerful rhythms backing it up. Listeners will surely find themselves bouncing around during the overwhelmingly addictive chorus. Not only do the harder sounds present in the song give lovers of heavier music something to head bang to, but the more electronic sounds make the song a good one to dance to. It is definitely a song that showcases Lolita23's growth and is more than worthy of being the title track of this release.

Streaking is a little rougher around the edges, characterized by raw sounds and filtered vocals. It's a song that listeners will likely have a hard time keeping themselves from getting lost in, due in part to the delightfully snappy rhythm. Varying vocal styles used throughout the track show off the different aspects of Sou's typically melodious voice. Though it's difficult to compare Streaking to the star title track, the song is a catchy addition to the single.

Mesmerizing from the very start, with what seems like speedy, distorted guitar riffs that launch in to an almost cartoon-sounding instrumental opening, Shikisai G Rabbit is an animated way to close out the release. The upbeat melody combines with light-hearted vocals to give this song effervescence. A pulsing bass line leads in to a masterful guitar solo midway through before it kicks back into the song's original rhythm. Sou's voice takes on a subtle sort of power during the chorus and a set of lyrics is repeated several times before the song comes to an end in much the same way it began.

Hoshi no kakera is a great addition to Lolita23's repertoire. Not only is this band continuously producing catchy, melodic songs, they are also continuously improving, as this release shows. Though the single offers songs that mix various styles, giving each track a unique sound, they all fit together as a cohesive and stand-out release. If you don't know where to start when it comes to giving Lolita23 a listen, Hoshi no kakera won't disappoint.