'flex' by TAIL (EP Review)

'flex' is the latest EP by Japanese indie artist TAIL, formerly known as Taichi Mukai. After rebranding under the new name of 'TAIL', 'flex' is an EP that presents an eclectic mix of R&B, soulful ballads, and hip-pop production. The project captures the vibrant Tokyo underground music scene while exploring themes of self-discovery, identity, and lost connections.

This EP features five tracks that captures TAIL's versatile discography, ranging from upbeat disco tracks like 'Toxic' to the more acoustic and stripped back production of 'Cure'. A standout track from the EP is definitely 'Another 13,' which features soft vocals blended with lush piano accompaniment, creating a warm and intimate soundscape that captures the brutal heartache and raw emotion of the lyrics. It really showcases TAIL's vocals and marks a shift from his previous releases that featured heavier vocal production and instrumentation. I personally love the variety of tracks and the general flow of the EP. The fusion of R&B and hip-hop production contrasted by the slower ballads creates an engaging range of tracks that makes you want to go back and repeat the entire EP. I think this is a fantastic EP and a great introduction if you want to delve into Japan's indie-music scene and TAIL's music. Check out 'flex' in the link above or hear the EP in full on my Spotify Reviews Playlist (link in bio).