At the tail end of January – on a Wednesday of all days – Japanese math-rock trio paranoid void dropped their third album Action, and oh boy are we in for a treat. For those unfamiliar, paranoid void is an all-female math-rock and indie-rock trio from Osaka, Japan. Since their formation in 2013 they’ve released a handful of EPs and, now, three full-length albums and have appeared occasionally on UK shores, notably at the annual ArcTanGent festival.
Being slightly out of the loop, I had no idea that the band was putting together a new record, so cue my surprise when I saw this appear in my release calendar a few weeks back. Kicking off the album is the title track Action, which is exactly what I’ve come to expect from this trio, a blend of odd-timings, complex guitar rhythms that dance around intricate bass lines that both intertwine around catchy drum grooves.
What I didn’t expect, however, was the band’s use of synths and electronic elements in this album, and I have to say, I dig it. HARD. While paranoid void have always experimented a little with synths, it’s generally been to add an extra texture to their music, so hearing it at the forefront, and done well, shows just how insanely talented this band. On example is the track Halation, which is essentially an electronic/IDM track, and as a fan of this type of music too, it was a welcome addition.
Action is full of incredibly catchy riffs that consistently catch my attention without sounding too busy and convoluted. That’s something I’ve always loved about this band, how, despite all of their intricacies and polyrhythmic riffs, it’s so easy to listen to. It’s not complex for complex sake; it’s infinitely listenable, and adding a more prominent level of electronic licks, swells, and textures further enhances their sound.
As a bass player, I’m always blown away by Yu-ki’s basslines. She has such a fantastic way of creating lead bass lines that don’t feel self-indulgent. It’s prominent in the mix and creates an impact, but it’s not overzealous. It’s able to hold its own as the main rhythm of a track, but not overpower the rest of the instruments in doing so. A great example of thi are the tracks Dive and Super-Crit. Yu-ki’s bass fills the low end with an interesting rhythm that complements Meguri’s guitar work, and it’s impeccable.
Overall, Action is a great addition to paranoid void‘s catalog. While I can respect that some might not be a fan of the more electronic direction this album has taken, that’s certainly not me. I love it.
Score: 9/10
Action by paranoid void will be released on January 21 via junonsaisai records.