Sugar's most recent single,
ruddy afterglow is a pleasing mix of several styles and incorporates elements unusual to the visual kei scene today.
The quasi title track,
afterglow, is a heavily distorted, quick and groovy tune that feels heavily influenced by
12012 with its upbeat vocals covered by melancholic, but speedy guitar riffs.
Loki sings the traditional, moody lyrics in a exaggerated theatrical voice. The style is a bit typical in the visual scene, but the smart composition and an appropriate harmony with guitarist
SIZNA brings freshness to the song.
The B-side,
Kanashimi ni nemuru hi damari, picks up with an innocuously playful guitar and percussion preamble. The track takes a quick and shocking turn to an uptempo, truly jazzy track. The traditional blending of visual kei and jazz brings about a sour taste made by the strained whining and awkwardly puckering guitar; this is where
Kanashimi ni... succeeds. The smooth, impeccable drumming from
atsuto is executed with true musicianship, as is expected from a performer with years of proper schooling under his belt. As the track progresses, a saxophone (something toyed with at
Sugar's special live
earlier this year) is added, and a guitar solo is expertly, yet effortlessly blended into the song without reducing the track to a power metal jam-session. The track ends with the very same light and cheery minimalist instrumentation that introduced the impressive number, and it ends on a perfect note.
The limited edition of the single comes with the PV for
ruddy afterglow, as well as the instrumental versions for both tracks. The regular edition comes with the live recording of
ridicule as the bonus track.
It is evident with this single that
Sugar can be anything they want to be, but won't be bound by their expertise to just one genre. The band successfully conveys their concept through a variety of styles, and with honest, original instrumentation, the group has a vast potential for growth and innovation.
Sugar's members are musicians first, and flamboyant visual-rockers second - and that's not a bad thing at all.
