Review: Burnout Syndromes - Blizzard
So, I am not sure if only I have noticed it, but 2021's J-Pop catalog is getting weaker by the months. April was a middling month for modern J-Pop's strong track record, and there have been no songs, idol or rock, worth talking about from Japan this month, except for Burnout Syndromes new anime OST.
Blizzard is the opening for Those Snow White Notes, an anime about a Shamisen player. The Shamisen is a traditional Japanese instrument. Thus, Blizzard incorporates several traditional Japanese instruments. Key amongst them is the flute. I am a big fan of the flute and thus can appreciate the flute. Its inter-play with the Shamisen and electric guitar near the climax is truly electrifying.
Those three instruments really form the spine of Blizzard's instrument. There is both a crunchy guitar, and an electronic one. The crunchy guitar provides the song's glue, while the electric guitar allows for the adventurous feel. As previously stated, the traditional instrumental is important to the song. The shamisen appears quite often, but not nearly enough. Often ending up a bit in the background.
Vocally speaking, Kazuumi is a strong vocalist. His type of voice is often seen in Japan, but it works in this sort of atmospheric anime song. He attacks each note opportunistically, resulting in a great atmosphere. The spoken segment in the bridge though, definitely a bit skippable.
My real issue with Blizzard is that the basic tune is not all that original. Many animes have opted for similar melodies, and thus the song is much more generic than intended. It may grow, it may not, the longevity of the song is now in the air. I just hope it proves to last as well as hoped.
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