BugLug - SUPER NOVA

BugLug is a relatively new group, only formally starting their activities in 2010. SUPER NOVA is BugLug‘s first mini-album and debut on the market. Containing sounds that are reminiscent of An Café and SuG, as well as Ruvie and Cult respectively, BugLug’s SUPER NOVA presents a new take on these expressive emotions.

The minute-and-a-half intro, Choushinsei～2010 A Space Odyssey～, utilizes a countdown sequence found in iconic British children’s television show "Thunderbirds," and a sound-byte from that show is featured in this track. A stern voice counts from five to one with dynamic chords in between and concludes with the sound of a rocket launching, which automatically drifts into a techno mix paired with brief interjections of “BugLug” and “3-2-1” whispered in the foreground. Another layer of orchestral strings from the original "2001: A Space Odyssey" theme can be heard amongst multiple threads of sound.

-7- is best known as BugLug’s first song. A snippet of the song was previously available on their official site, and a PV preview is on YouTube. -7- is initially a shock as it slams into the listener’s ears right after Choushinsei～2010 A Space Odyssey～ and blossoms like a flower. Issei’s voice is radiant; his smiles seem audible and can be felt when hearing the layers of the song pieced together.

Continuing with the fun, happy infusions trailing the end of -7- is YxYxMxE. Synthesizers - a frequent partner to the genre of music BugLug aims to play - feature largely in the background. The listener’s toes curl at the squeal and rip of guitar pushing against the volume of the vocals, catching the listener off guard for a brief moment. During the hook before the chorus, the guitar ceases momentarily and Issei brings his voice down slightly to sing more softly and catch the listener’s attention. Short “la-la-la”s rush quietly behind the vocals and in doing so adds a subliminal layer of softness to the mini-album.

[AB] Cosmic is strong from the slow fade in of synthesizers and the first blast of guitar at the commencement of the track. Throwing in a sense of playfulness with the lyrics, the guitar and bass lines gnaw at the melody and add a slight haunting tone to the overall sound. The melody of [AB] Cosmic is dynamic, always changing quickly between notes and frolicking wildly through the scales, but the overall content and tone of the song remains constant. Issei manipulates his voice, twisting and morphing it to create a darker, almost sarcastic tone to the lyrics which matches the backing track: a charcoal dark glaze slithering between the thin wafers of sound.

Mr. Alligator is equally wild as [AB] Cosmic, continuing in almost the same tempo. It kicks off in minor key but snaps into place as the howling of a voice - presumably Issei - is heard. The tempo is fast-paced; the melody is very similar to other tracks found on SUPER NOVA. The phrase “Choudai, choudai, kimi wa choudai” repeats itself several times throughout the song, and as Mr. Alligator clambers to a close, the grittiness of the track dissipates.

Dream Rush, the final track on SUPER NOVA, replaces the gritty, raw tone of the previous two tracks with a happy sound. It remains as an expressive track which shows how BugLug is a visual kei group with aesthetic qualities that classify them as minutely oshare kei. All the tracks complied on SUPER NOVA are works of expression, and each can be experienced with its original intent.