jenny01 (now a solo project) was comprised of naoko akiko (vocals), tatsuya sugama (guitar), masataka suua (drums), and noboyuki katan (bass). this hodge-podge of hard riffs, whispered vocals, and sprinkles of beepy boops was their debut album!
cluster is a rush. i love naoko's singing, she's both high pitched and hushed beneath the strings. it brings a lot of comparisons to the j-shoegaze of the time (coaltar of the deepers, luminous orange, etc.), along with the sounds of shibuya-kei—citypop, french chanson, western indie rock.
sounds move forward, as if each track is rushing closer and closer to the finish line. lyrics are short breathed, discussing scattered escapades of love with urgency. a personal favorite is "brandnew," where the character (or naoko…) celebrates a new era after the heartbreak of a past relationship, welcoming in her next with an air of brevity, excitement, and fervor. you can literally feel her heart racing:
"新しい彼 新しい私 (Ah) 完璧
うれしはずかし 初の助手席 (Ah) ドキドキ
お気に入りのネイル ラジオのタイミング (Ah) 最悪！
流れたのは、おとなな レイバリット・ソング"
"It's a happy brand new day
Lovely special day
寂しくは連れて行けない…
Happy brand new day
Lovely special day
真新しい 乙女のドライブに～"
translation:
"New boyfriend, new me (Ah) Perfect
Happy and shy, first time in the passenger seat (Ah) Heart racing
My favorite nails on, but the radio timing (Ah) is the worst!
What came on was some grown-up love ballad"
"It’s a happy brand new day
Lovely special day
I can’t bring the loneliness with me…
Happy brand new day
Lovely special day
On this brand new maiden’s drive～"
also, big fan of the interlude "interval." it's just beepy boopy. who doesn't like a little beepy boopy? this one on the bus + watching a bunch of different people get on and off does numbers. do.. da.. di.. da… do.. da.. di.. da…. do.. da.. di.. da…
