Finally I want to upload a new album review today - this time I've chosen Adams' third album called "SEXPLOSION"! Since I've visited their concert in Luxembourg on 27th February I got the chance to already buy the CD although the album isn't released officially or digitally yet.
Before jumping into the song analysis some general information. Adams already had announced the album would mark a change in their music style: "SEXPLOSION" would become influenced mainly by electronic elements and they wanted to leave behind the pop sound characteristically for their first two albums "NEO SEXUAL" and "SIXNINE". Shota told he has collected many new impressions during the last Europe tour, especially concerning electronical music, and now has woven them into the ten new songs "SEXPLOSION" consists of. Moreover he wants to increase his singing parts and doesn't want to use the guitar that often anymore - indeed he has realized this plan in the latest release.
My very first impression confirmed this attitude: The style mainly has changed, but in my opinion didn't became worse. In opposite: This highly experimental album maybe isn't the best way to introduce Adams to new fans, but who already knows them since the beginning of their career will be pleased to enjoy a completely new face of which proves how wide and open their musical style can vary. "SEXPLOSION" offers a new perspective and brings fresh gust, confirms their motto "Original, Revolutionary, Timeless" perfectly.
1. LOVE ME
Words: ADAM / Music&Arrangement: SHOTA
This song was already released before the tour start and the pre-sell of the album as a teaser.
Rating: 5 / 5
2. WHY
Words: ADAM / Music&Arrangement: SHOTA
The second song manages to pick up the dance sound of the previous number and connects the rapid end with its beginning. The dancable beat is accompagnied by powerful electronic guitar sounds, synthesizer elements and the change between ADAM's and Shota's singing parts. While the first stanza is dominated by ADAM's voice and monotonous powerchords the beat drops out when Shota starts rapping - but when the refrain starts all the elements are woven together and now form a melodious and firing melody that is likely to stick in one's ear. This earwig potential additionally is underlined by the remarkable, continuously repeating line "Why don't you remember". In the second stanza ADAM continues singing, but now the riffs get more harmonious and interesting before the sound returns to the opening chords and Shota's singing part is quite similar to his first one. The second stanza isn't full-packed with all musical elements of the song,;the guitar drops out here while beat and synthesizer continue. After a short reheating insert of Shota the final refrain returns to full musical force and is additionally transposed higher. After two repetitions also this song rapidly ends and causes a quite similar feeling like after "LOVE ME".
In my opinion this song is a very experimental one because the usual elements of an electro or pop song (1st stanza, refrain, 2nd stanza, refrain, break, refrain (2x) ) are present but vary in an interesting manner. This makes listening to this song refreshing although it may be a bit difficult to get into it at first. All in all nevertheless worth the full rating!
Rating: 5 / 5
3. Baddest Crown
Words&Music&Arrangement: SHOTA
This song is also packed with electro elements and manages to keep up the atmosphere created by the first two numbers, comparable to "WHY" follwing to "LOVE ME". Beginning with a piercing synthesizer soon a voluminous beat controls the song, accompagnied by ADAM's pure and Shota's distorted voice. The first stanza resolves without break in a melodious refrain which shows the full spectrum of all musical elements Adams are using in this song: Synthesizers, electronic guitars and two alternating voices. At the beginning of the second stanza the beat suddenly drops out and opens the stage for guitar licks, a singing ADAM and a rapping Shota instead before it returns and builds up the song's usual style again. The second stanza is quite similar to the first one and maintains a regular song pattern before it resolves neatless in a transposed break where ADAM's voice suddenly increases and pitches higher. But quickly the song returns to its beginning pattern with the piercing synthesizer and the heartbeat-striking beat, the refrain follows again. After this the song rapidly ends with the words "Baddest Crown", but is nevertheless summed up neatly and forms a pretty piece.
A song that makes fun to listen to and that deserves full rating.
Rating: 5 / 5
4. HERO - Dear Eves my precious broken piece -
Words: ADAM / Music&Arrangement: SHOTA
The fourth number carries an important meaning for Adams themselves as well as for the fans: It is dedicated to their EVES, as they call their female fans. This song will become a standard piece at future live concerts and is the one that reminds most of their "old", more pop-oriented music style; nevertheless it contains electronic elements.
The whole atmosphere of the song is optimistic and motivating, shall deliver a positive feeling to the listener. This is revealed right from the beginning where a guitar as well as a synthesizer form an increasing intro before the former lines "We are Adams not a hero nor a god nor Buddha" resound, sung by both. The raising sound continues while ADAM is singing alone now; the tension finally resolves and opens the floor for a winged refrain remarkable by the lines "Dear my precious broken piece", a background synthesizer and an electric guitar playing. The second stanza begins in the same way like the opening of the song, and soon ADAM and Shota start alternating each other's vocals and maintain the song's atmosphere which stays subdued at first, just to raise again to the second refrain which is similar to the first one. The break is quite silent and at first just the guitar is leading to another increase. Shota starts singing, ADAM joins in and then also percussion elements support the raising melody to the final, usual refrain.
Summing it up the song is an enjoyable electro-pop number and will prove as a new evergreen that will accompany Adams' future career permanently. Nevertheless it just receives 4 of 5 points because this song tends to become a bit boring when listening to it too often: It doesn't consist of that many experimental elements and can be categorized as more mainstream.
5. blind
Words&Music&Arrangement: SHOTA
This song is also influenced by electronic elements, but is no dance number but rather a pop song. Beginning with a piano and an acoustic guitar, the sound suddenly turns to a beat and a synthesizer, then ADAM and Shota start singing softly, alternating their parts. Later an electric guitar joins in, and the first stanza resolves in a melodious refrain before the slightly varied second stanza begins. The usual pattern is kept with the second refrain until the beat and instruments shortly drop out, just to start playing again bit by bit. Finally the break resolves in the last refrain and the song is summed up in a coherent way.
All in all a harmonious song enjoyable to listen to, but also likely to loose its initial fascination when listening to it too often.
Rating: 4 / 5
6. ゲームセット (Game Set)
Words: ADAM / Music&Arrangement: SHOTA
Also the sixth song is mainly dominated by electronic elements right from the beginning on: A synthesizer imitating Sci-Fi and space-like sounds introduces the refrain, accompanied by ADAM's subdued voice, then the song gains speed and increases with percussion elements. Suddenly everything takes a turn and changes the atmosphere of the beginning rapidly: A ceasing electronic bass leads to a heart-striking beat and an electric guitar. ADAM joins in, singing for two stanzas and the number keeps its serious atmosphere until it resolves in a harmonious refrain which reveals an outburst of all elements used in this song; also the Sci-Fi synthesizer. In the middle part the elements are reduced and the beat dominates the song, but then the blooming refrain follows again. The piece ends quite rapidly and leaves the listener somewhat unsatisfied a third time already.
Nevertheless the number has high earwig potential and its experimental character make it an interesting experience to listen to. In my opinion the "problem" is that two completely different music styles face each other what makes it difficult to enjoy it as a whole: On the one hand the beat in the stanzas forms a dancing part, on the other hand the space-like synthesizer and the refrain are almost too electronic to be still dancable. The combination of both in the refrain is something one needs to get used to and can sound weird when listening to it for the first time. Moreover the song quickly can seem to be too overloaded with elements: Shota definitely wanted to try out putting together various styles and elements, but in my opinion it is a bit too much; he either could have cancelled the guitar, the beat or the synthesizer. Nevertheless I personally like the song, maybe even because of its refreshing impact on the album.
Rating: 3,5 / 5
7. Darling
Words: ADAM / Music&Arrangement: SHOTA
This song is more calm and most likely to be the only ballad on this album, although its still too fast and with continuous rhythm to be a real one. Here a completely other way of playing with electronical elements is revealed: No beats are present, instead a constant percussion plays throughout the number. Instrumentally the song is dominated by an electric acoustic guitar and some "glitter" effects in the refrain. The pattern is simple and fitting to a normal pop song with first stanza, refrain, second stanza, refrain, a middle part and several variations of the refrain until an instrumental outro sums up the longest song of the album with 5:37 minutes.
"Darling" is the most unspectacular song of this album, in my opinion, and quickly gets monotonous: It can't keep up the vivid dancefloor atmosphere created by the previous songs. On the other hand one can argue that especially this offers a welcome break to catch breath again for the next song which shall reveal as firing with an electrizing beat again. Thus, "Darling", as the title says, is a highly romantic song what is emphasized by ADAM's soft and sweet voice. It invites for dreaming and is just enjoyable to listen to, for example when you want to calm down or are shortly before going to sleep.
Rating: 3 / 5
8. S.E.X
Words&Music&Arrangement: SHOTA
Besides to "Game Set" this is the most experimental song of the album, but compared to the sixth number it unfortunately missed the track and its purpose. Shota tries out lots of elements and combines them in different ways, but the number doesn't have a clear structure and seems to be composed rather arbitrarily than clearly planned. Synthesizers, a discobeat, a distorted electric guitar and their subdued voices alternate and surprise, rather confuse the listener throughout the song. Generally this game with combining the elements in various manners could be highly innovative, but is flattened by the continuous repetition of the word "SEX" and some "Oh"s besides to Shota's spoken parts. The impression of a slightly low level is created by that and lowers the song's potential even more.
Experimenting with styles is always difficult and often doesn't succeed - unfortunately also here.
Rating: 1,5 / 5
9. Wolf
Words&Music&Arrangement: SHOTA
Number nine is the most rock-influenced song of the album and just contains few electronic elements, is dominated by Shota's guitar playing. As the title promises the atmosphere really reminds of a wolf on a hunt: It stays restless throughout the song, and while the stanzas are less melodious the refrain turns out to be more harmonious. Nevertheless a serious mood is delivered, and the break before the final refrain reminds strongly of a howling wolf: A whining electric guitar is accompanied by Shota's subdued speaking voice until ADAM takes over and the song increases again to the final refrain with its already known pattern.
All in all an interesting song which is worth listening to. Stylewise it's a bit lost because it neither fits to Adams' new nor their old sound - but since Adams wanted to create an experimental third album this song will find its appreciated place on the tracklist.
Rating: 3,5 / 5
10. Fly through the sky
Words: ADAM / Music&Arrangement: SHOTA
The last song sums up the album in a beautiful way: It is a more pop-like song with few electronic influence and besides to "HERO" reminds of Adams' old music style, for example of "Stand Up" as the last song of their first album "NEO SEXUAL". As the title says the atmosphere is winged and invites to dreaming while flying through the sky in imagination with the light guitar sounds, the relaxed background synthesizer, glitter elements and the boys' melodious alternating voices. The pattern is usual for pop songs and makes listening to it simple and enjoyable, especially when the last stanza is transposed higher and fulfills the listener's expectations; one isn't left unsatisfied. Thus, this song is nice to calm down and relax, but also nothing too special.
Rating: 3,5 / 5
Final conclusion:
Adams have proved that they keep their promises: They announced a highly experimental new album which should change their music style to more electro-pop, and the result fulfills this expectation to 100%. Every song contains more or few electronic elements, and with every number they tried out different ways to realize their new experiences with European electronic music. "SEXPLOSION" can definitely be recommended to their fans who will be pleased of new and varying sounds, but wouldn't be the first choice for newbies, as already mentioned in the beginning.
To put it in a nutshell: I suggest to everyone to take a peek into Adams latest work themselves to form their own opinion because it's very likely to fall in the one extreme of total advocacy or the other of absolute disapproval. Fact is that they've proven the actuality of their motto "Original, Revolutionary, Timeless" flawlessy.
Thank you for reading and see you soon!~
Junsui
