syrup16g - Kranke

After officially bowing out of the music scene back in 2008, morose Tokyo alt rockers syrup16g made a shocking but welcome return last year. Their 2014 comeback album Hurt was an Oricon top 10 success, proving that they haven't lost their touch. Their newest release is the EP Kranke, which was released on May 20th.

As the first few bars of Tsumetai tenohira play it really does hit home that they haven't changed very much. The initial tinny guitar riff changes completely to a full richness that the trio seem able to create effortlessly. The syrup sound, consisting of the use of the thin, minimally distorted guitar balanced against the much meatier bass, is prominent throughout. From the slower rock to the unexpected jovial intermission, their characteristic setup gives the track a surprising warmth for such a cold title. With Igarashi Takashi's relaxed vocals on top, the whole package just works to create a feelgood song of sorts.

vampire's store also features the usual thin-sounding guitar strums but develops a much fuller soundstage. The layers of harmonies and backing instruments and also the clever use of echo in this track give it an enjoyable verse, while the chorus is very loud and proud. Put together, it's a gratifying rock track with depth and attitude. The band and production team's clever sound engineering has also worked wonders on the short but remarkable minute and a half long songline. Although there are lyrics it's really more instrumental rock. Haunting vocal harmonies mix with resonant rock instruments for an interlude given as much passion as a full-length work.

The penultimate track has a more blatantly positive melody than the previous ones. Thank you is pretty one-dimensional pop rock, with a strong and consistent strummed guitar taking precedence. Igarashi's mostly nonchalant vocals are juxtaposed by ultra-bright backup for a cheerful mood. In contrast, notes of dejection pervade To be honor. Whilst it's still quite upbeat with its light guitar melody and assertive vocal part, its accidentals give some melancholy to the major key. It's very 90s Britpop in its stylings.

Kranke is definitely a very confident offering from the band. Main writing force Igarashi's fingerprints are all over it, and therefore it does still sound reassuringly like the old syrup16g. The inclusion of an overall happier tone that took root in their last release may mean some fans find it too soft in comparison to earlier works, even if the lyrics are hardly a ray of sunshine. The huge variation in Hurt is also missing in this short EP, but this release is a good indication that they're still working as hard today as they used to to put together another accomplished album.