Review: Official Hige Dandism - Mixed Nuts
One of my favorite musical acts across the world at the moment is the Japanese rock band Official Hige Dandism. Ever since their mainstream debut in 2018, they have been on a roll, releasing amazing album after amazing album, and amazing single after single. I credit a good deal of that to their lead vocalist, Satoshi Fujihara. His ability to switch from one concept to the next while keeping a sonic base is unrivaled across the world. With their upcoming Mixed Nuts EP, Fujihara and company are trying a new style once again with Mixed Nuts, a fun and adorable song, a sharp contrast from January's dystopic Anarchy.
Mixed Nuts is a joyful, kitschy celebration of life. Fujihara's metaphors are usually sharp and poetic, and thus comparing a relationship to a pack of mixed nuts may seem off-putting, but it makes perfect sense for a band called "The official manly mustache". Despite the ridiculous concept, some of Fujihara's lines are actually quite emotional, "If you're okay with my imperfections, even if we get roasted, shaken, or stepped on, together we will be indestructible nutshells" certainly gets its point across in a funny way. It is amazing how the band emasculates the failures and successes of the world into a song about peanuts, but that is what makes Higedan special.
Musically, Mixed Nuts does not have a bone in its body that does not qualify as funny. A semi-impromptu jazz and swing routine, the song is a little extra, pushing with the dramatic tugs and pulls one expects from all of Higedan's songs. Unfortunately, the instrumental never finds a strong foundation, unlike many of Higedan's best songs, and thus is a little too much at times.
The melody is also somewhat lacking. The song never finds a hook as strong as Anarchy's chorus, Yesterday's surging refrain, Pretender's surging chorus, or really any of their best choruses and bridges. The saving grace here is Fujihara, who is clearly having an absolute blast, not giving a damn what I or anyone else thinks of the song. The rest of the band is equally motivated, with Matsuura's drumming being a chorus highlight, while Ozasa and Narazaki have their moments too. Overall, Mixed Nuts is a fun, if unessential entry, into Higedan's discography. However, the band do truly turn it into something awesome.
I trust your JPOP reviews, as other songs you wrote about JPOP are good and melodious. I usually like KPop, but lately some of the JPop is cool too. I will check out Higedan's other songs as well. Nice review. Have you ever reviewed Kdrama's OSTs? nice too. right?
ReplyDeleteThanks Cooking Diva! Good point, recent J-Pop songs have been melodic, akin to older K-Pop, I certainly am enjoying that.
DeleteFor K-Drama OSTs, I have reviewed some in the past, but don't have any plans at the moment. Seondeok and City Hunter's soundtracks are great though.