Janne Da Arc - D・N・A

D・N・A, released in 2000, is the first full album by Janne Da Arc. It immediately became a great success and was kind of a turning point for the group – since then, they have slowly abandoned their visual image and returned to their rock roots. This album features twelve songs, including RED ZONE, Lunatic Gate and EDEN - Kimi ga inai, which were released on preceding singles.

Deja-vu, which opens whole album, kicks off with a fascinating bass line. One moment later, guitar and keys join ka-yu’s instrument, and the whole is intensified by yasu’s digitally modified vocals. What’s interesting is that the vocalist stays in the background in this piece. His voice is just another instrument, matched perfectly to the others.

The next track is Vanity, which stands out with its bizarre melody and hard rock riffs. The following compositions, Phantom and Eden ~kimi ga inai~, continue in the same trend. In contrast, Child vision ~ehon no naka no kirei no majo~ seems unique with the clearly audible electronic effects that accompany yasu’s singing. On this song – as opposed to the former ones – the vocals are more natural.

The sixth song on this album, Stranger, catches your attention from the very first notes. Its strength is in the melody, diversified by keyboard insets, which produces a really nice sensation. The pace slows down along with Sakura, but only for a moment. The following piece, Lunatic Gate, brings earlier, fast rock sounds, enriched by electronics effects.

Junky Walker was inventively created. It starts with a keyboard motif, and a moment later, the same melody is repeated by guitar. yasu changes his way of singing again, and his slightly digitized voice during the chorus brings something new to whole song. This vocal technique is applied even more in the next track, RED ZONE, which was also the band’s first major single. It’s fast paced, and all the instruments create a unique atmosphere. yasu's singing, full of emotion and desperation, makes a big impression on a listener.

The album finishes on two tracks: ring and Heaven’s Place. On these songs the guitar is muted, which causes the atmosphere to become calm. Particularly worth listening to is the latest composition, which lasts over seven minutes. It begins with a long guitar intro, and after a moment, bells are added. The same trick from Junky Walkers appears here - some motifs are played first on keys and later repeated by you on guitar. yasu’s vocals are impressive, especially after first chorus. It's sung in a way that creates a romantic atmosphere, and yasu cascades his voice, singing in high register before repeating himself in low key.

Janne Da Arc’s first major album is based on rock riffs enriched by elements of other music genres, like pop or electro. The first-class skills of JDA’s members are clearly audible in every track. D・N・A is really not to be skipped and can be recommend to those who haven’t heard any works by this marvelous band yet. It won’t leave any rock fan disappointed.