'ROUND&ROUND' is the latest album from J-pop group THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE, featuring a collection of their lead singles and some previously unreleased songs that marks a new era for the group.
The album opens with 'NO GRAVITY', a hopeful track that has upbeat production and colourful visuals that invites the listener into this twelve-track album. 'THE POWER', 'Slam That Down' and 'Fallen Butterfly' all featured as singles on the 'HIGH&LOW THE WORST X' soundtrack, with this trio of songs pushing the group into new genres and further accentuating their image as bold and fiery performers. Their collaboration with Miyavi marks the mid-point of 'ROUND&ROUND', with the album moving sonically into rock influences, heightened by Miyavi's signature riffs and energetic melodic structure.
The final half of the album sees the group move into heavy dance music, 'ROLL UP' is my personal favourite from the album centring around heavy production and samples of 90s vocal riffs (reminiscent of the vocal riff present in George Michael's 'Amazing'). The final selection of tracks has a lighter tone with warm pop production and layering of synths indicating the group's shift in sound as a J-pop group. Overall, this is an album that has an incredibly eclectic selection of tracks that have been carefully chosen to highlight the group's ability to move into different genres and collaborate with a range of producers, songwriters and musicians to help build their image and definition of modern J-pop, a fun, unpredictable and exciting genre that surely will attract more international listeners.
Check out 'ROUND&ROUND' by THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE on my Spotify Reviews Playlist (link in bio) and make sure to comment your favourite song from the album down below!
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