Polkadot Stingray - Dai Seigi Mini-Album Review

Every now and then, a band climbs up through the cracks of the indie scene and really blows me away. With their debut mini-album, Fukuoka's Polkadot Stingray is the most recent band to have that effect on me. With their tight instrumentation and Shizuku's impeccable vocal performance, this group combines a sense of tunefulness with some of the most intricate guitar performances I've heard in a while.

Dai Seigi opens up with the mini-album's lead (and probably only) single, Electric Public. Right off the bat I'm getting hints of Gesu no Kiwami Otome, Shiggy Jr, and just a touch of tricot. That last one probably isn't a coincidence, seeing as tricot's bassist has recorded with Polkadot Stingray in the past.

Polkadot Stingray continues to impress on Midori, with an infectious guitar line right out of the gate. I can't get enough of the thick power chords on the tail-end of that track. Then there's Synchronishica, which burns with a rare air of passion and intensity. On top of that song's raw and frantic opening, there's an incredible buildup halfway through which leads into one of the best choruses on the album.

Benikurage is a bit of a slow burn; jazzy, dreamy, just overall very relaxing. Shizuku's voice really shines through on this one, breaking out with a sense of urgency near the end, complete with Aina The End-esque cracking. It's absolutely stunning. Dai Seigi ends with Hon Nichimimei, which is pretty straightforward but catchier than it has any right to be. There's also not one, but two impressive guitar solos on this one.

Polkadot Stingray formed in 2015, but Dai Seigi is probably gonna be most people's introduction to the group - and what an introduction! The band doesn't fail to impress, and I'm 100% on-board for whatever they plan to do next. I urge anybody interested in indie rock or math rock to check this thing out, the band has a lot of attitude and style and it can only get better from here.

-Justin

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