The Italian-Japanese artist Oto Mayumi’s debut album Good and Bad Shades is one wonderful discovery of this end of the year. Review.
灰、良い影 / GOOD AND BAD SHADES – OTO MAYUMI
Good and Bad Shades, or 灰、良い影 in Japanese (Hai, Iie) as it is the language she chooses to use on this record, is a fantastical debut. It is where Oto Mayumi explores the grey in humanity, hers and the one in others. Kagami mite goran is a great first hook. The guitars explode and the vocals are mesmerizing. The second track, Haisuikou no gomi, is a surprise, with a higher singing, as if in a rush and vengeful. Playing with styles, Asso gets into the pop side of things, romantic and with an emotional progression that I can feel under my skin as the lively attitude gets some anxious turns.
If Datte and MNHR are also all about romance, the two songs do so with very distinct atmospheres. The first one is tender, shy and nervous, while the second sinks into a spiral of uncertainty and need for attention. Owl grabs some metal accents and owns its darker side before Zenbu shines with a powerful optimism. Lavender is more delicate. With its introduction worthy of an opera, the track tries to join views about the right to love.
The last two tracks, Tsuki ni kiku and Red, Blue and Violet explore some new breaking points in a romantic relationship, marked by depression and anxiety. This very last song takes a step away from the rock formula presented by the artist so far, getting into electro influences. And that’s where she is strong: never stopping her exploration of both music and emotions. From the clearest to the darkest. With Good and Bad Shades, Oto Mayumi takes the concept of emotional duality and melts it into the complexity of humanity. Excellent riffs are a bonus.
Now Playing: Datte
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📷: Oto Mayumi
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