Roli Angels - Nama de Doki!! Tenshi Roli Album Review

Tracklist
1) Nama de Doki!! Tenshi Roli no Theme
2) Hotaru no Kaerimichi
3) Roli to Asobou
4) Bikini de Janjan Pajama ~Omoide Poi~
5) Kibou no Yoake
6) Koi no Gururin Party
7) Wind up Slow motion
8) Namida Urikire Tara
9) Nenne
10) Roli no Hoshi he
11) Nagae ba Chance

Roli Angels is an indie idol group we've talked about before at A-To-J Connections, as well as a performer at Anison USA 2016 and previously at Japan Expo LA 2015. Their full-length album, "Nama de Doki!! Tenshi Roli", is a pretty good introduction to the group if you want more than just a single to go by.

The intro track "Nama de Doki!! Tenshi Roli no Theme" samples Pachelbel's Canon (which seems pretty popular with J-pop composers, actually) in possibly one of the brightest and most colorful ways I've ever heard it used. This sets the theme for the rest of the album, which stays mostly cute and hyper throughout. It's hard to pick apart individual songs, since they're all very similar, but that isn't always a bad thing. Even if there are some minor variances in instrumentation (synth vs guitars, stuff like that) the album has a tone, and it sticks to that tone. It's all super upbeat and danceable and never pretends to be anything but pure, sugary J-Pop.

There is a refreshing variety of techno, electronic, and synth sounding tracks as well as tracks that could be performed using a live band due to their rock-y nature. Even with the diverse spectrum of styles on the album, they all still manage to convey the very sound and feel of idol music. A favorite would have to be "Nenne" and if you were to give it a listen you would easily know why!

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The album DOES slow down a couple times, but the most notable is the closing track, "Nagae ba Chance". It's catchy, but maybe more toned-down from the rest of the album. Rather than sounding out-of-place, though, it feels like a nostalgic recap of the songs that came before. Kind of like Roli Angels is looking back and remembering the fun times and promising more to come in the future.

If you're a fan of Roli Angels this album should just be a reminder of why you like them. It's fun, bouncy, and cute. If anything, the group has only improved with time and experience and we can't wait to hear more from them!

-Eric/Justin

Favorites: Nama de Doki!!, Bikini de janjan Pajama, Nenne, Nagae ba Chance

Roli Angels Are:
ROLI (Leader)
LEMON
SHAKE
ICE

Note: ICE is present on this release, but is no longer with Roli Angels.

For More Information:
Official Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008476298859&fref=ts
Official Twitter: twitter.com/angel_roli
ROLI Twitter: twitter.com/ROLi_Angel
LEMON Twitter: twitter.com/Leeeeemon_angel
SHAKE Twitter: twitter.com/SHAKe_angel

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