R.Y.C＜数量限定盤＞

MURA MASA 待望のセカンド・アルバムはデビュー作とは異なり、パンク・ロックにインスパイアされた作品集。

参加ゲスト:Clairo、Ned Green、Slowthai、Tirzah、Georgia、 Ellie Rowsell

数量限定盤

The title of Mura Masas second album, R.Y.C., stands for Raw Youth Collage, and its contents zero in on all of the messy, uncertain feelings that come with young adulthood. Not quite as long or guest-heavy as the producers 2017 major-label debut, the album feels much more personal and introspective, with lyrics directly addressing confusion and alienation. First track Raw Youth Collage features a sequence of barely connected thoughts (I dont know who Im supposed to be, All my friends have changed, I cant see past the screen) over chiming guitars and floating, atmospheric synths. No Hope Generation is a very millennial-friendly blend of pop-punk-lite guitar melodies and Auto-Tuned vocals describing the hopelessness of it all, while a trace of drumnbass breakbeats creep in below the surface. The other tracks sung by Mura Masa (Alex Crossan) himself continue in this vein, particularly the rollicking Vicarious Living Anthem, and while the songs with guest vocalists all stay within the albums general themes of angst and escapism, they take much different approaches than Crossans solo tunes. Slowthais rowdy Deal Wiv It is about having no choice but to face a constantly changing world, while Ned Greens A Meeting at an Oak Tree is brief, imaginative narrative describing an awkward, suspenseful situation in a teenage relationship. Tirzah takes the lead on Today, a downcast but still hopeful reflection on the state of the world, ultimately encouraging positive change rather than staying passive and simply letting the days pass by. Georgia guests on the disco cut Live Like Were Dancing, easily the most determined, joyous track on the album. R.Y.C. is scattered and uneasy, but considering its subject matter and the emotions it expresses, it seems like it couldnt have turned out any other way, so it sounds undeniably genuine. ~ Paul Simpson

インディー・ロックへの急接近ぶりに一瞬たじろいだが、デビュー作での雑食性やもともとUSインディーに親しんでいた過去を思えば驚くには値しない? ベースラインが某曲を彷彿させると話題のクライロとのコラボ"I Don't Think I Can Do This Again"、スロウタイのギラついたラップでパンキッシュに染めた"Deal Wiv It"の他、ライトなビートやギター・サウンドが焦燥感と青臭さを漂わせた新味に満ちている。
bounce (C)青木正之