mouse on the keys - The Flowers of Romance

Armed with with only a drum kit and two keyboards, post-rock trio mouse on the keys have impressed audiences worldwide with their jazz, funk and rock-inspired instrumental compositions since 2006. The Flowers of Romance is the band's first full-length album since an anxious object in 2009, and was released on July 15th.

The band pulls out all the stops with the very first full track, leviathan. Undergoing several tempo and rhythm changes, it'll really keep listeners on their toes. The opening act is energetic jazz that's so free flowing that it appears to have all been improvised. This is quickly reined in and replaced by a darker melody pulled from their rock repertoire, leading to a post-hardcore refrain. A keyboard-only lull is the only quiet in the otherwise constant activity. Track composer Kawasaki Akira is unrelenting as he rattles off bars upon bars of masterful drumming, varying from light and rapid touches to explosive power. His drum kit is as integral to the main melody as the two keyboards, and at any one time it's difficult to tell who is carrying the lead. Praise is also due to keyboardists Kiyota Atsushi and Niitome Daisuke, who play with incredible intensity. This seamless combination works to create drama and a surprisingly full sound for so few instruments. leviathan is a masterclass in musical storytelling.

No less dramatic or impressive is the lonely crowd, which bursts into life with a flurry of cymbals, piano chords and synth choir. It stands out all the more since it continues directly from the unsettling ambient drones of the brief obsession. Saxophonist Nemoto Jun, a regular guest, joins in with the trio to add another dimension and throws himself into a frantic improv session midway. The wild sax and the forcefulness of the drums build around the looping pianos to bring this piece to an incredible crescendo of a finish.

Cool jazz meets math rock in mirror of nature. It's a very bassy, relaxed and minimalist affair, where the spotlight is on the drums for the most part. There's more math rock influence in the dream-like hilbert dub, although in this case it's the keyboards which make the impact with their playful, high-pitched exchange. The sound is like that of math rockers toe, who signed mouse on the keys to their music label Machupicchu Industrials in 2007, only minus the guitars.

The title track is not particularly romantic. The taut string triplets and staccato piano of the flowers of romance bring to mind the similar suspense of Sakamoto Ryuichi's 1919 - a conscious decision perhaps as Sakamoto has been cited as one of the band's inspirations. The use of electronic percussion increases the uneasiness in this track, especially in the disharmonious middle section. In the second half it's as if everything clicks into place however, and the keys, strings and percussion all come together to create electrifying tension.

The jazz influence is more prominent in other tracks. The rhythmically complex reflexion flips between various time signatures effortlessly, allowing the trio to show off their skills and impeccable timing. At the very end trumpeter Sasaki Daisuke chips in to make it a lively jam session. Conversely dance of life is the mellowest of smooth, romantic jazz. Kawasaki plays second fiddle to the two pianists, who crank the up charm to its maximum. But in typical mouse style the metallic scrapes and groans in the background, along with some occasionally frenzied instrument abuse, suggest that something sinister lurks beneath the tame surface. Whatever this is, it's amplified and openly on display in the bleak le gibet. Full of dischord and shrieking synth feedback, it closes the album in a depressing fashion.

With The Flowers of Romance, mouse on the keys have continued their exploration of creative soundscapes and philosophical ideas. They've managed to condense that exploration into this diverse album, and it takes listeners on a heck of journey. It would probably be even better appreciated with the art created for their live performances as a whole package of "visual and audio expression". Luckily for fans across Asia, they can see the band on their album release tour from August.

The Flowers of Romance will also be released in Europe and North America on September 15th. You can watch the PV for leviathan below.