THE NOVEMBERS - GIFT

THE NOVEMBERS is an alternative rock-shoegaze band that was formed in 2005 and made their CD debut in November 2007. Their third mini-album GIFT, which is based around the concept of “birth”, sees the band attempt to meld a more pop sound into their music, and it’s a dream-like, hazy, and ultimately uplifting ride.

Starting off slow and mysterious, with scattered groups of notes, then slowly introducing strings, authoritative drums, high, airy vocals and a rising trumpet, Moiré is a lush opener that seems to spread out wide before you, building and building in intensity and volume until you wonder how it could get any grander. Coming to an impressive, emotional climax, its eight minutes plus run-time feels completely justified.

The next song, another standout, Harem feels dizzy and hypnotic. With many repetitions of “odorimashou” (“Shall we dance?”) you get the feeling of revolving in a circle even without the swirling camerawork and movements of the dancer in the PV. Gentle as it is, it’s almost a shock when vocalist Yusuke Kobayashi sings “fuck you” in the second verse. For all the ethereal elements of this EP, there is still a refreshing roughness to it that helps keep it grounded in reality—that keeps it from becoming just beautiful escapism.

Reunion with Marr has a bouncy rock sound and soaring vocals that pair nicely with the short, rhyming lines of its lyrics. It’s a welcome change of pace after the longer, slower tracks. Dark lyrics like “We are all weak / No exception” and “Swarming around health food to bite / Got cyanosis by fastening seat-belt so tight”, however, keep it feeling introspective.

U TOM NUKARA is lonely and nostalgic—fitting with its images of seeking out merry-go-rounds and walking home on sunny streets—with crying, gentle strings. As pleasant to listen to as it is, and as impressive as Kobayashi’s high range becomes over the course of the track, unfortunately, it gets a little drippy and cliché. Things pick back up with Slogan, though, which is the most conventional pop-rock song of the EP, and a welcome cheerful turn after the angst of the previous track.

Finally, the title track begins with a slightly startling barrage of brass. Again, the high, breathy vocals shine. There is a sense of intimacy about it as well, as if Kobayashi is singing right beside you, which is only heightened by a section in the lyrics where he says “Gomen ne,” “Oyasumi”, etc. as if speaking directly to the listener.

Overall, while there are hints of darkness to the EP, it is missing the aggressiveness of some of the band’s previous work. GIFT aspires to appeal to both alternative and pop fans, and it is successful in that goal, but if you’re looking for the rough shouts of dnim, or the loud rock guitar and driving bass of songs like Kowareru, you won’t find much here. However, the first three songs are stunningly beautiful, and if you’re looking for something dreamy and predominantly optimistic with a little bit of bite, you will love this. If not, THE NOVEMBERS have announced that their next mini-album will be a reaction to this EP, dealing more with the concept of death, so fans of the harsher, darker end of their sound might be more interested in Fourth wall.

It is also worth noting that THE NOVEMBERS’s discography, up to and including GIFT, is available in several countries through iTunes.

The video for Harem can be viewed below.


If you think Fourth wall might be more your speed, check out their ominous new PV for dogma.