"Legends": Japanese Lo-Fi (Special Review)
Hello friends how are you? In this article I will be talking about two Japanese Lo-Fi EPs, it is worth clarifying that this will only be my opinion, if you have something to say I invite you to write in the comments box. Now, "Legends Vol.2" was recently uploaded to streaming platforms, which is a compilation album created mainly by The Bootleg Boy, with TonybtM and MyceliumBug as main artists, and also featuring Yotsugi and Saucht. Before giving a score to this EP, it occurred to me that I should also give an analysis to its predecessor.
Legends Vol. 1
This EP was uploaded on November 3 of last year, made up of 4 singles, and well, since it is Japanese Lo-Fi music, I deduce that "Legends" has as its narrative the story of a warrior who seeks to become the best and be remembered as a legend, I don't know if what I said is true but anyway, they are songs which have a Japanese atmosphere, obviously, and from my point of view I love them, they are quite relaxing and at the same time they sound so epic listening to them, it gives you a quite good adventurous feeling, each song connects quite well with the environment and its melodies are so significant, individualizing the narrative expression of each one.
The EP starts in a good way with Ryūyōshin (5/5) by TonybtM and MyceliumBug, the truth is that the first time I listened to it I hit the repeat button several times since I loved listening to it, according to what I researched, Ryūyōshin It means "Land of the Rising Sun", I think, but anyway, the term goes well with the single and complements the third single from the EP titled "Moonsong", but let's go in order.
Then we have Akane (4/5) from Yotsugi, MyceliumBug and TonybtM, here the atmosphere softens more and uses rhythms that play well with the environment, the touches are well detailed and go hand in hand with harmony, the truth is they have good handling of instruments. I would skip paragraphs but no, Moonsong (3.7/5) by Saucht, TonybtM and MyceliumBug gives more focus to what the piano notes are, but like everything on the EP, the Koto stands out serving as a chorus or something like that. I am someone who understands or takes as a concept that music is one of the many artistic expressions and which serves as a means to narrate hidden stories and feelings, and why do I say all that? Well, Sea's Jewels (5/5) by MyceliumBug and TonybtM concludes what this EP's is, this single handles very well with what is the Japanese Lo-Fi aesthetic and from my interpretation it gives me to understand that "Legends" It did not end with that single, but the story continues, and well, at this point we can say that it did have a continuation with its 2nd Volume, anyway.
Legends Vol. 2
As I had already mentioned at the beginning, the continuation of "Legends" was recently released, this time having more artists in collaboration, such as Matteo Imperato and A.T.P., and returning with Yotsugi, Saucht, TonybtM and MyceliumBug. Unlike its predecessor, the EP is made up of 6 singles starting with "Aruku Kage" (4.8/5) by Saucht, TonybtM and MyceliumBug, the truth is that, unlike "Ryūyōshin" this single begins in a more melodic and Their instruments complement each other ending perfectly, we then move on to "Kizuna" (4/5) by Yotsugi, TonybtM and MyceliumBug, excellent indeed, the single starts in a challenging way and little by little the instruments complement each other, it is incredible the atmosphere of the music, taking his time so that the notes sound according to the harmony."Moegi" (5/5) by MyceliumBug, TonybtM and Yotsugi, is without a doubt my favorite in this EP's, everything is in harmony and its beginning, development and end, it shows the love that these three artists gave to the song, I I like how the melodies become so delicate and as for the main instrument it is perfect, but... After this single, is when the problems come, well, not problems, but when we get to "Yasha no tatakai" (3.7/5) by Saucht, MyceliumBug and TonybtM, and "Inori" (3.6/5) by Matteo Imperato, TonybtM, MyceliumBug the atmosphere becomes somewhat monotonous, that despite not being so identical, I really already heard 4 songs that fulfill the same role , which is to be Japanese Lo-Fi, and despite that, these singles do not sound like such a generic Lo-Fi, which gives a positive point to the EP, but with the penultimate two they seem heavy to me. Now, smoothing things over, we have "Rekka" (5/5) by A.T.P., MyceliumBug and TonybtM, in a simple way, I really liked it, here you can see the personality of the artists more, just like in "Moegi ","Kizuna" and "Aruku Kage", the single stands out too excellent, and... Guess what, it doesn't give closure to what would be "Legends", and you'll be wondering, Why doesn't it give closure? Well, I really liked the work and I would like there to be a 3rd Volume, but how does it have to be closed? From my point of view it would be for the last single to be expressed in such a significant way as a such a harmonious conclusion that both you and the people who listen to it know that the story of "Legends" has come to an end, I hope that is as soon as possible, I would like more songs like this to be made by these artists.
In summary, "Legends Vol. 1" (4.4/5) is the example of artistic expression, that all these artists came together to make this EP's is excellent, and "Legends Vol. 2 (4.3/5) is the example of love what you are passionate about doing, which in this case is music obviously, I like that these EP's are so unique and I hope they continue to grow as artists.
If you liked this article, I invite you to follow me on my social networks, which are only for decoration on my cell phone, except Instagram and Tik Tok, which I do use, let me know what you think in the comments box and thank you very much for your support.