Oyasumi Hologram - "2" mini-album review

Oyasumi Hologram is an interesting group. They're idols, I think, but they don't fit in with the typical idol crowd. There's something about their music which is difficult to explain. It's usually pretty mellow alt-rock, but there's still an overlying idol flair that's thin but present. They've just released their second mini-album "2", so I figured I would take a look at it.

It's actually hard to put into words exactly how I feel about Oyasumi Hologram. Their music is good, their image is cool, but I feel like there's a word for what I'm hearing that I just can't place. It's on the tip of my... uh.... fingers? "2" starts out with "way home", already calming from the first moments. There's a hint of indie rock here, I wouldn't bat an eye if this showed up on Kinoko Teikoku album. Kinoko Teikoku is actually a great comparison for the group. Even though Oyasumi Hologram are technically idols (again, I think), their music fits neatly into an indie rock niche.

"way home" MV

"too young" is a gentle song which fades to the background even if I try to listen actively. I actually LIKE the song too, which is funny. The vocals are really dreamy, ethereal. This whole album is ethereal background listening at its finest. "11" has a really pretty melody as well. There's somebody about this duo's vocals which feel very strained; like maybe they're not actually "good" singers. Their voice has a certain tone to it which I really like. Even if they don't have naturally "clean" or "smooth" singing voices, they have something different. A slight hint of grain to the otherwise smooth dream pop.

"11" MV

"strawberry" opens with a strident hit of feedback and some heavy rock guitars; not at all what I was expecting from the previous songs. The vocals are distorted and ALMOST high in energy, but like they're holding back. They sound a little bit tired. I actually dig it. I find myself forgetting that this is supposed to be an idol unit. This song is pure underground indie rock, I'm super into it. The howling vocals before the bridge are awesome and they lead into this horrifyingly powerful scream, I'm in love. It's perfect. There are more screams towards the end. This song is insane and I really can't put all of my feelings into words here.

Finally we get "neuromancer". This song, as the name implies, brings some cyberpunk feelings into the mix. It's electronic and driving but still keeping that haze which has been hovering over this entire album. I would personally have chosen "strawberry" as a closing song, but I love "neuromancer" anyway. I love every song on this album. It's so strange; there's not a single song here you can really sing along to. These songs don't easily infect your mind with catchy melodies. Even though it's sweet, almost sickeningly so, there's so much haze and apathy that it just breaks into some new territory altogether. I don't know what this album is; I don't know what Oyasumi Hologram is. I don't understand any of what I'm feeling, but I love it.

-Justin

"neuromancer" MV

---

"2" Track List

1. way home
   
2. too young
3. 11
4. underwater
5. our future
6. strawberry
7. neuromancer
   

---

Oyasumi Hologram

Website
Twitter
Official Store