Music is a language that is understood universally. From the deepest reaches of Asia to the dense urban jungles of Europe and beyond, everybody can agree on how powerful music is no matter what shape or style it takes on. When it comes to Japan’s own Tricot, even the language barrier posed by their music for anyone outside of their native country doesn’t stop their 3rd full-length from being any less excellent.
The thing that stands out most about ‘3’ is how many vibrant and daring ideas are flowing through it. Tricot is a band who feels like they have the world in their hands and have the power to create whatever music they please. Though on the surface their native tongue could make it harder to get your head around the whole affair, but the quirky style of the Japanese language lends itself perfectly to the music that the band play.
The delicate pop tones of ‘Yosoiki’ stand side by side with the frantic indie sounds of ‘Tokyo Vampire Hotel’ and the jittery kookiness of ‘Pork Side’ and ‘Pork Ginger’. Hell, they even throw in a bit of post-rock atmosphere hidden in the folds of the indulgent ‘Echo’. It’s abstract, hard to digest, erratic and utterly insatiable.
There is so much to get lost in on ‘3’ that you will find yourself experiencing it in different ways every time you listen to it. What Tricot have created is an album that is challenging and bizarre as it, is familiar and comforting. It’s math rock but not as we know it. It’s pop music but not as we know it. It’s music for those who want to be pushed by what they choose to play into their ears and that ambition makes for some truly brilliant songs.
3.5/5
‘3’ by Tricot is released on 19th May on Big Scary Monsters (UK) / Topshelf Records (US) / Bakuretsu (JP).
Tricot links: Facebook|Twitter
Words by Jack Rogers (@JackMRog)
