[bakano hitotsuoboe] (https://youtu.be/oowSgjv49vk?si=CvuU6J\_C2tAmnUlk) by [ryokuoushoku shakai] (https://youtube.com/@ryokuoushokushakai?si=\_i4D12UuPqavMGkw) is the funkiest piece of music my ears had the pleasure of indulging.
the opening of the song starts with a heavy 4/4 drum rhythm with shingo anami's signature bassline acting as a foundation for the other instruments that would follow up moments later.
the song has so much going on in it yet everything is masterfully organized. it was composed by shingo anami after all. each and every element shines alongside one another to form a complex piece of art that's just way too good to the ears. when i listen to a song, i usually give more emphasis to the bass because i think of it as an instrument that holds other elements together by acting as a foundation/ground and the bass in this song delivered exactly that.
three of the main instruments in the song: the bass guitar, the keyboards, and the guitar are each given their individual channels, taking full advantage of the modern stereo sound technology. the keyboards are seated on the left channel, the guitar on the right channel, and the bass in the middle, further amplifying the role of the bass as the housing that holds together all other elements.
although the bassist shines considerably in this song, the main player who set the entire theme of the song is guitarist issei kobayashi. the guitar patterns give the song this menacing and dark atmosphere from the get go. the heavy synths add a layer of digitalization, giving it a retro video game-esk vibe. from their previous songs, the guitar always used to play a passive role, mainly to fill certain gaps or sections of the songs, but in this one, it was given the obligation to steer the direction at which the song went, specially in the chorus segments, and it's safe to say that issei did not disappoint to fulfill the role he had been given.
guitars and basslines have a natural tendency to work alongside one another and that was pushed to the absolute limits in this song. i can't tell you enough about how well they managed to harmonize those two instruments throughout the duration of the song; from start to finish. it's crazy. specially in the transition segments from the verse to chorus, their harmony shines the brightest in those short segments.
then comes keyboard/pianist pepe. she delivered an extremely consistent flow of stream which is difficult to pull off since keyboards are given a very passive role in pop genres and she demonstrated her talent by delivering an incredible keyboard play. she especially shined in the chorus and bridge parts. the fun tapping like play presented in the chorus sections, although appearing relatively simple, was extremely engaging. the subtle percussions/triangles alleviated the already perfect listening experience by adding an extra layer on the keyboards. and her paino solo in the bridge section backed up by a reggae-esk guitar line was a refreshing experience oozing with style and creativity.
i didn't emphasize on the lyrics of this song since my primary attention lies on the instrumental side of things but it'd be an absolute shame to cut it short without appreciating haruko nagaya's vocals. to put it simply, her vocal prowess is just beautiful. her ability to oscillate her pitch from the highs to the lows with ease and without a single obstruction shows how much dedication and effort she puts to perfect her vocal delivery. the band would never feel complete without her vocals no matter how good the composition of the songs are.
here are some small details i noticed throughout my listening experience:
-the metallic snares in the opening instrumental segments follow the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th beat instead of the traditional 2nd and 4th in the later instrumental segments. i should also mention how much grit those snares add to the groove of the song. it's so cool!
-second is the light drums that last for a beat at [2:49]. i thought it was a bassline but later realized that it sounds more like a pair of very light 808s
bakano hitotsuoboe is a stylish and funky song that I'd recommend to anyone with a taste for funky music.
by Effective-Ad8083