jyocho 祈りでは届かない距離 album review

review

listening to music in a language you don’t speak is rough

you can hear the music, understand what the artist/band is going for, but it always feel as if youre missing something – it always feels as if there’s some wall blocking you from really connecting with the artist

at least to me thats typically how it goes

that is not the case at all with this album

in fact, i would even say that the language barrier adds to the immersive feeling of warmth, joy, and overall happiness that this album gives you

the language barrier allowed me to just focus on the amazing vocals and the breathtaking instrumentals, the guitar playing is honestly out of this world, without thinking too much about the meaning

i just sat there and experienced it

songs like 安い命, 故郷, and 365 just engulf you with this feeling of happiness, and if a song could hug you this is what it would sound like

the album is pretty short at only 31 minutes, but none of those 31 minutes are wasted

well almost none, the 47 second interlude Furusato seems a bit out of place considering how short the album is, but it adds to the atmosphere so its not all bad

this was my first encounter with jyocho, and i’m eager to see what the rest of their discography has to offer

this album is pretty old (2016), and theyve had 3 albums since

im looking forward to exploring the rest of their discography, and i hope more people do too

they certainty deserve more than monthly 40,000 listeners

amazing album 4/5 (also extremely close to a 5 im sry :'()