Legendary singer-songwriter Sheena Ringo, Japanese singer playing with many genres, is back with 放生会 (Hōjoya). Review.
放生会 (HŌJOYA) – SHEENA RINGO
It’s in a cabaret atmosphere that the thirteen tracks reveal themselves, alternating with and without guests. A gong chimes twice: at the start and at the end. In this frame, mainly made of jazz – with a free piano, round bass, and precise drums – many other genres come to associate with it brilliantly. ちりぬるを (offering sake) with Ikkyu Nakajima (tricot, Genie High) has some modern pop accents. 私は猫の目(i’m free) shines in a more epic version of the previously released track. 生者の行進 (a procession of the living) with AI turns to rap and urban pop, and 人間として(as a human) leans towards tradition. And on top of it, some pop bangers are showing up like 公然の秘密 (open secret) and its catchy orchestral additions, and 余裕の凱旋 (a grand triumphant return) with Daoko.
To me, the most efficient tracks are the incredible 初KO勝ち(1RKO) with Nocchi (Perfume) and ドラ1独走 (FRDP) with Atarashii Gakko!. The rock and funk riffs from the guitars and memorable lines made both songs my favourite on the record! 浪漫と算盤 TYO (the sun & moon) with Hikaru Utada allows some R’n’B and soul undertones to come in too.
Sheena Ringo is bright with a couple of lines sung in English, but also with 茫然も自失 (closed truth) in Spanish, and it’s ravishing. Its Latin sounds bring the sun inside the cabaret. On さらば純情 (bye purity), she adds a couple of effects to her vocals for a chill electro result. And on いとをかし (toogood), it’s the sobriety of the piano that goes with her. Lastly, with panache, she ends the record with ほぼ水の泡 (cheers beer) with Momo from Charan-Po-Rantan. Vivid, energetic, and flamboyant, with 放生会 (Hōjoya/Carnival) Sheena Ringo pays tribute to her femininity and her freedom! Don’t miss it!
Now Playing:ドラ1独走 (FRDP)
