Their eleventh album marks their 20 years of career. ONE OK ROCK is back with the vibrant and impressive DETOX. Review.
DETOX – ONE OK ROCK
The Japanese rock band returns with an explosive new album. ONE OK ROCK expands their influences for this new release, DETOX, and the result is as satisfying as expected. NASTY kicks things off with a raw, sexy sound, mixing electro beats and hardcore riffs to perfection. Darker and more emo, the band then dives into a track that is as chilling as it is epic: Dystopia. This is followed by the melancholic Tropical Therapy, which blends a bright melody with rather raw lyrics. Delusion:All continues in this vein, with brutal introspection, a search for light in dark moments, and a need for the epic and the magical.
My favourite track draws Latin influences against a backdrop of truly fierce riffs, and it’s Party’s Over. Puppets Can’t Control You keeps the energy high in all directions, before the band chooses to slow things down. Tiny Pieces shows a beautiful progression towards wonderful landscapes, while This Can’t Be Us becomes emotional through piano and vocals, with beautiful orchestral arrangements. The style remains deep and shaken.
As we approach the end of the album, +Matter offers lighter tones, but still based on that emo-hardcore foundation, which C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y. carries on by inviting the different yet complementary flows of Paledusk and CHICO CARLITO. A harmonious and heavy trio of styles, which contrasts greatly with the final track, more pop, smoother, and more optimistic, The Pilot </3. This new album has heart and, hope too, but above all, a lot of energy to share. ONE OK ROCK is, however, aiming broader than it seems with DETOX. A great effort!
The band will tour the US, Latin America this year, and will open for Linkin Park in France this summer.
