Forests - Spending Eternity In A Japanese Convenience Store

6.7

Coming from Singapore, the emo/math rock trio Forests delivers some quite intoxicating, angstily naïve and unapologetically refreshing tunes to the table, meandering wobbly song structures with tales of lost love and pseudo-existential crisis.

Highlights

- Math rock always keeps you aware of what the next move will be.

- Screaming suits the record just as well as harmonically singing.

- The tracks are complex and burdened, but also fun and ambitious.

Lowlights

- The formulas they use while developing their sound might get too repetitive over time.

- Some of the lyric passages can be dull and childish.

- There's nothing particularly original about their sound that'd make them rise above the genre's standards.

Standouts

- Kawaii Hawaii

- Goldust

- I Miss Your Dog (More Than I Miss You)

Country: Singapore

Released: January 1, 2019

Length: 34:30

Pedro The Lion - Phoenix

5.3

The ideas behind Phoenix hardly ever catch up with the artistic expressions and outfits presented, both lyrically, instrumentally and melodically; and, when they do, they feel nothing but imprecise and dull.

Highlights

- It's breathy and breezy and, thus, easy-to-listen-to.

- There's an element of mundane nostalgia that makes the lyrics kind of empathetic.

- Certain parts show half-hidden angst and volume. Would go to that direction.

Lowlights

- There's nothing that drops your jaw anywhere; not even interesting motifs or stuff.

- The record might be 3-song, 10-minute too long to bear full consistency.

- For a comeback release, it seems the guys didn't have much to say this time.

Standouts

- Quietest Friend

- Model Homes

Country: USA

Released: January 18, 2019

Length: 45:01