Meishi Smile - (reclamation)

Meishi Smile is a local artist known for their unique brand of dreamy and introspective pop music, as well as heading the record label ZOOM LENS. Following up the release of last year's incredible "...Belong", "(reclamation)" is Meishi Smile's third official release. The six tracks here mark a shift in tone away from the beautifully crafted electronic pop of Meishi Smile's previous releases, instead focusing on a chaotic kind of ambiance.

"(reclamation)" opens up with waves of distortion on the introductory track "ego". As it fades out, another kind of ambiance drifts in. "apathy" is like a thick haze, looming over the listener as a void of insurmountable emptiness.

"forever (yours)" opens up with beautiful and distant vocals which are immediately drowned out by pained screams about "flowers of death and blackened abuse", finally proclaiming "I hope you will judge me for living". The heavily digital, distorted screams hold an air of raw pain and convicition, harkening back to Meishi Smile's old project Yuko Imada.

"bruise" is a gentle melody softly caressed by waves of reverb, while "flowers & may" is a wave of soft ambiance overtaken by a drowning feedback.

"(reclamation)" is closed out by the six-minute monster "strange color", a return to the harsh cries of agony on track three. Meishi Smile's laments are sharp, harsh, agonizing and unforgiving. As the project comes to an end, you're left with a lingering sense of despair. "(reclamation)" is as beautiful as it is unnerving, simultaneously calm and chaotic. Fans may enter looking for that familiar breezy dream pop, but there is none of that to be found here. "(reclamation)" is like a cathartic release of pent-up emotion, introverted discomfort and dysphoria rising to the top in a cacophonous wave of beauty. You may not be able to sing along to any of the pieces here, but Meishi Smile is

baring themselves to the listener, exposing the deepest and most desperate thoughts within.

-Justin

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(reclamation)

1. ego
2. apathy
3. forever (yours)
4. bruise
5. flowers & may
6. strange color

LISTEN/PURCHASE HERE

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Meishi Smile

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