Review: Official Hige Dandism - Anarchy

Back in 2020, Official Hige Dandism, also known as Higedan, released the best song of the new decade in Laughter. To this day, it has yet to be defeated as the reigning master of the 2020s musically. After a strong 2021, culminating with their latest full-length album in December, Higedan are back with their latest single, Anarchy.

While technically a theme song for a movie, Anarchy seems perfect for the chaos of the 2020s. Lyrically, the track is riotous, handling the themes of impending and unstoppable doom. Fujihara does not judge throughout the track, maintaining a vague but worried stance. Nonetheless, the lyrics have some fantastic lines, such as "Discontent is a time bomb, I don't have a famous quote to stop the timer". It somehow comes off as perfect for the situation.

The melody in the track opts for some dance-based elements. Indeed, the production can best be described as modern-day synth-rock. The base for the entire release clearly is the bass, pulsating throughout the song, with its absence in the bridge being very intentional. The synths and guitar are also highly important and engaging.

Fujihara provides an engaging vocal performance. Indeed, this is his song, and Fujihara is a reputable vocal genius. A bit of processing over the vocal filters adds some much-needed grit to improve the song's charm.

However, the true genius of Anarchy is the melody. It flips when you expect it to flop, and flop when you expect it to flip. It is melodic, strong, and is held together by a strong chorus. With a melody this strong, there is no way Anarchy is not an instant gem. Indeed, while it is no Laughter, it is a great addition to a fantastic discography.

Rating: 9/10

Image Source: Archytele