Only Deftones would give their latest release and seventh studio record a title with no English translation. The closest English interpretation would be "love at first sight", though the Japanese proverb doesn't apply to the actual feeling of love, but rather refers to the knowledge that a future love is inevitable. I explain this only because the breadth of the title, the mystery of its meaning, perfectly exemplifies the Deftone's signature musical style, one of ever-shifting moods and mind-bending soundscapes, wavering from blunt force trauma to soaring, almost ethereal grooves, back to a melancholy swooning that's damn near delicate. This almost bi-polar approach to music making is what has garnered Deftones legions of die hard fans and critical praise, with the band often being compared to such critical darlings as My Bloody Valentine and The Cure. Frontman Chino Moreno's vocal style and lyrical approach also goes hand-in-hand with the title. His breathy voice shape-shifts from whispers to roars, and his vocals are oftentimes sensual and abstract, leaving the music wide open for interpretation and oblique enough to propose a multitude of meanings.
Fans of Deftones have come to expect the unexpected from the band, and Koi No Yokan is no exception. "Swerve City" opens the record with a bludgeoning guitar riff from Stephen Carpenter, accompanied by hard-hitting percussion provided by Abe Cunningham, while Moreno's voice pulses and echoes everywhere like a symphony of ghosts crying out from beyond. "Romantic Dreams" and "Rosemary" are steeped in a beautifully muddy arrangement of ringing guitar and pounding drums while Frank Delgado provides a brooding atmosphere of sound dense enough to choke you. Love songs they are, but no less neck-breaking. Delgado's keyboard work in particular takes the music to staggering new heights. "Tempest" and "Entombed" soar like rocket ships into space. Both songs are so meticulously crafted and densely textured they're impossible not to utterly succumb to. Deftones certainly don't abandon the thunder on Koi No Yokan. "Leathers" has a kind of wanton, dangerous urgency, with Moreno flatly chanting "wear your insides on the outside, show your enemy what you look like". "Poltergeist" shifts from what seems like a lover's spat to Moreno moaning almost sarcastically that "I love you to death, like you love this game". And despite all the shifting moods and dense textures the songs boast, the record doesn't feel unfocused in the least. If anything this is Deftone's most even-feeling record since White Pony, another masterpiece of revolving moods and musicianship, and yet manages to remain focused while maintaining a merciless hold on the listener's attention.
Considering the breadth and depth of their sound, Deftones have made a career of creating music perfect for any mood you're in. The musical textures and soundscapes on Koi No Yokan are some of their most ambitious to date. Whether you want to be bludgeoned about the head, taken into outer space or lulled into a dream, Koi No Yokan is your all purpose guide to that and more. The riffs are catchy, the beats abound and the hooks are undeniable. Deftones can attribute their longevity to the fact that they've never been comfortable with labels and instead of finding a formula and sticking to it, they've continued to explore and expand musically. Their newest effort is their most accomplished yet.
Purchase Koi No Yokan by clicking HERE
No comments:
Post a Comment