This debut album comes from one of the most interesting bands in the 2010s visual kei scene. Starting out as a typical oshare band with cute and colorful looks and light lyrical themes, they gradually went in a darker, harder direction, starting with this album. There are no fewer than seven singles here, released over the course of two years, and they give an interesting snapshot of
BugLug's evolution. "Grazie," from their first single "Asobiz," is relatively straightforward pop-punk with nice guitar harmonies and a cheerful, singalong chorus. "Show 2 Glow" combines ska-punk rhythms with snarled vocals and a soaring refrain that shows off the range of frontman Issei's sweet yet powerful voice. "Kaibutsu" contrasts one of the album's most infectious choruses with breakdowns featuring harsh, crowing shouts that are almost black metal, while the later "Zekkou Etsurakuron," "Guillotine," and "Killer Killer Killer" are raw, thrashing, 100-mile-an-hour punk rock. The new songs are nothing for the band to be ashamed of, either. Highlights include "Itazura," whose chorus lifts off into the stratosphere; the mid-album "24/7," a light, oshare pop number with tinkling piano; and the closing "Asoviva," which melds old-time rhythm & blues swing with a classicist '60s-style pop chorus. The album barely pauses for breath. In classic visual fashion, almost every track here is completely schizophrenic, seemingly trying to be about three songs at once; goes about 100 miles an hour; and has an infectiously catchy chorus. It's not a perfect album, and it's certainly not particularly original, either: the influence of genre titans like Sug is obvious, and the usual lineup of VK tropes and clichés are all present and correct. But it's definitely got something going on. While not neglecting catchy pop songcraft, it's refreshingly rawer and punkier than many oshare albums, and what it lacks in polish it certainly makes up for in enthusiasm. Showing the start of a great band's career progression, it's definitely worth checking out. ~ John D. Buchanan