• Submissions
  • Support Us
Saturday, July 12, 2025
  • nl Nederlands
  • en English
AVO Magazine - One click closer to Japan
  • AVO Magazine
    • AVO Magazine, who?
    • About us (日本語)
    • AVO Magazine presents
    • AVO Magazine Podcast
    • Join AVO Magazine’s Discord Server
    • Support AVO Magazine
  • Staff picks
  • Music
    • Japanese Music News
      • Concerts and festival news
      • Musical Snack
    • Curtain-raiser
    • Weekly MV Roundup
      • About: 7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out
  • Japan-related Events
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Reports
  • Colophon
  • Contact
    • Submissions
    • Join the AVO Magazine team
No Result
View All Result
AVO Magazine - One click closer to Japan
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews Music Reviews

CD review: UPLIFT SPICE – ØØØ

sjooisu-san by sjooisu-san
25 April 2014
in Music Reviews, Reviews
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
0
CD review: UPLIFT SPICE – ØØØ

Past November, UPLIFT SPICE came with a new album: ØØØ. This album was able to leave a big impression on me.

I’ve known UPLIFT SPICE for a while now and I absolutely love their Rock/Punk sound. And even though I’m not really a fan of female vocalists, their vocalist Chiori is one of my favourite singers. Together with guitarist YOOKI and the brothers Toyita and Kenji on drums and bass, they’ve made an amazing album. So, without further ado, as I go on and on for hours, here is the review.

UPLIFT SPICE - 000Let’s start of with the tracklist:

1. TheHangedMan
2. U & I
3. ØØØ
4. Irony
5. カルト
6. F.U.B.A.R.
7. マーニとハティ
8. F*** Darlin’
9. PsyWar
10. Hypernova Remnant
11. The end

The album starts off with TheHangedMan. The track has a fast pace from the very beginning. With that, it was instantly clear: This ROCKS. Chiori immediately kicks in with a powerful feminine voice. And whenever I hear this song it reminds me of the movie Sakuran. I want to start headbanging right away. The ending of the track has a more soul like feel though, using a bass riff. It’s an amazing start of the album.

The second track is called U & I. This song is a little more known as the band uploaded a PV of it on Youtube. This is also the song that made me a fan. The intro starts off with a guitar and drum motive. After 10 seconds the vocals and the rest of the instruments join and create a boost of sounds, like a surprise attack from behind. It’s impossible to sit still while listening as the track makes you want to scream and headbang along. Especially when Chiori grunts loudly at the end of each chorus. The refrain is almost overwhelming, with Chiori singing U & I as if her life revolves around it. The track is a strong and good rock song and a perfect introduction to UPLIFT SPICE.

ØØØ, the third track of the album, has a distinct and fast bass riff with very tight drum play. It feels almost mystical with a special filter that has been placed over the vocals. This filter is removed as soon as the refrain kicks in though, which creates an uplift in the music. After approximately 2 minutes they switch to an old-school metal sound with symphonical sound effects, giving the track a pleasant surprise.

On track number four there is Irony. The track starts out pretty calm, but overall has a happy punk rock vibe to it. Yet again a track I feel like dancing and headbanging to. The sound effects in this song compliment the guitar and drums perfectly and it almost sounds as if the track is hopping. Even the vocals sound happy and nice, even though the title of the song kind of contradicts the happy feel.

Off to the fifth track, カルト. This is a no nonsense rock song with light metal like guitar play. The words go so fast that it almost seems as if Chiori is spitting out the words. This is followed by a refrain where she sings with all her might. The track gives me the feeling that entirety of the band is giving their all. And if you were to ever see this band live, please give your all as well. An amazing core track.

F.U.B.A.R. is the sixth track. It starts off with a guitar intro where, or so it seems, an anchor-man is reading some news. After 20 seconds, however, there is an explosion of guitars, bass, and drums, which immediately fade out to make way for the vocals. And they are superb. If you thought the previous songs were high level vocals already, in this song she even takes it up a notch. She brings forth even more of her qualities on another level. Her singing, grunting, and screaming melt the track together as one as a piece of art. This song makes me question whether I should be headbanging or listening to it full of awe. It’s a real killer song.

Track seven is called マーニとハティ. This song provides a breather from the previous track F.U.B.A.R. A nice rock melody with happy vocals. A pleasant bass-line sounds throughout the track, making it feel like a track that makes you want to jump, dance, smile, drink and just enjoy life.

And then came track 8, F*** Darlin’. This track begins with an R&B flow. After a while this changes into a romantic rock feel when the bass changes. But don’t get fooled, there still is a distinct sound of emotions and frustration noticeable. Especially every time Chiori sings the words F*** Darlin. Hands in the air and wave along or playback to the song in your bathroom.

PsyWar, the ninth track, feels like a 50’s jingle with electric guitars. The drums and hard guitar play right after that pull you right out of that feeling though, even when the bass is still playing with a jazzy/soul sound. If there would be modern punk rock in the 50’s this would be what it would’ve sounded like. Simply Amazing! Like ladies in petticoats with Dr Martens boots underneath. From ballroom dancing to headbanging, everything goes well with this track. Very impressive how they managed to combine two entirely different genres into one song.

Just before the last track there is Hypernova Remnant, a track that brings us back to the punk rock vibe. The most noticeable part of this track is the refrain, which flows onto you and suddenly pulls back. It feels like waves going back and forth and pulls you with it. This flow is being backed up by the vocals and the guitar. A really good go with the flow song with a lot of fire.

And then, unfortunately, the last track with the fitting title The End. The song starts off with the bass leading the rhythm. Then suddenly, the track goes into full gear as the drums take over from the bass. The song goes all out and before you notice it you are jumping and singing along. After this sudden outburst, there is a small breather. And when I say small I do mean small. Each moment of rest is quickly followed up by an increased pace. It’s a beautiful hard rock song that really makes you want to rock out too, and a great ending of the album.

Overall this is an album that is enjoyable time after time. You get sucked into the music and get overwhelmed with the emotions behind each song. And even though I probably won’t be at any of their concerts, I know for sure this is an album I will listen to a lot. This is really a must have for people that like up-beat rock and aren’t afraid of the female vocals.

The European tour of UPLIFT SPICE will start 18th of May. For more tour data please click here.

Tags: 20132013albumalbum
ShareTweetShareShareShareShare
sjooisu-san

sjooisu-san

have fun ^^

Related Posts

The photo depicts the four members of TAMIW in the middle of a street at night. The members are dressed in stylish outfits and are standing towards the camera lens, making it an up-close photo with a carefree attitude. Photography by Emiri Habaki
Music Reviews

Music Review: TAMIW – Farewell Party

by Peter Dennis
1 July 2025
Colourful artistic cover of TsuShiMaMiRe 20th full-length album バンドは水物 (MIZUMONO), featuring the three members at that time, vocalist and guitarist Mari, bass player Yayoi and drummer Maiko. There are masks drawn on their faces and on top of it the band name and album title in a font that seems like splashes of water.
Music Reviews

Music Review: TsuShiMaMiRe – バンドは水物 (MIZUMONO)

by Peter Dennis
11 June 2025
Illustration of the four members of Seventeen Years Old And Berlin Wall. It is a minimalistic illustration, with a hazy/cloud effect in orange and blue colours mixed in with a white background.
Music Reviews

Music Review: Seventeen Years Old And Berlin Wall – Distance (EP)

by Peter Dennis
16 May 2025
The photo depicts the (support) members of FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER dressed in a gothic-inspired metal style in a dark lit room, probably located in an (old) factory with red lighting to amplify the atmosphere. Photo by Ato4 Sound Factory (@ato4soundfactory)
Music Reviews

Album Review: FATHOMLESS SKYWALKER – Anthems of the Resilient

by Peter Dennis
12 March 2025
The photo shows the members of Violent Magic Orchestra, outside what appears to be a European city at night. Most probably the photo was taken in Norway. The members are all posing differently and dressed in black, all are wearing the same band shirt.
Music Reviews

Album Review: Violent Magic Orchestra – DEATH RAVE

by Peter Dennis
12 March 2025
Next Post
Film Review: Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises

Film Review: Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

About AVO Magazine

AVO Magazine is more than just an online magazine about Japanese music and culture. In addition to covering Japan-related events in Europe, AVO Magazine also supports and organises them. Under the banner AVO Magazine presents, several concerts and festivals have been held, including AVO J-Rock Festival (2013) and AVO J-Music Festival (2018), featuring performances by Japanese (indie) musicians. More information about AVO Magazine can be found here.

Have news related to Japan or Japanese music you'd like to share? Feel free to send us an email.
Support AVO Magazine with a digital cup of coffee

Recent Articles

  • SOSOSO to perform at Atsusacon 2025: A Journey to Mount Fuji
  • Live Report: Technicolour tunes at The Tin Arts with Green Milk From The Planet Orange
  • Esprit D’Air head back to where it all began with a grassroots tour through UK and Ireland
  • Minyo Crusaders return to Europe for a summer tour at nine festivals in five countries
  • MAN WITH A MISSION to celebrate 15th anniversary with European tour in October

Affiliates

JPU Records

1_General CDJapan
Facebook Twitter Instagram Soundcloud Threads Bluesky Youtube Discord

AVO Magazine

Online magazine since 2012 and based in the Netherlands. AVO Magazine is a Japan-related entertainment website with information about events in especially in Europe. There is a big focus on Japanese music. Other contents we publish are reports, reviews, informative articles, and interviews. AVO Forum, founded on May 16, 2003, served as the foundation for AVO Magazine.

Contact (Francisca Hagen): hello[@]avo-magazine.com

Please do not use text and photos made by AVO Magazine without permission. An email is easily created. Let's support each other!

Affiliates

JPU Records

1_General CDJapan

Featured on

  Lucydafirst - Crate Culture Podcast LOGO

AVO Magazine Approved

  • ANGURA
  • Arlequin Photography
  • Get Your Genki
  • Idol is SHiT
  • iPod of mine
  • J-POP streaming
  • Japan Jams
  • Japone Artists
  • The Sushi Times

Copyright © 2012 - 2025 AVO Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • AVO Magazine
    • AVO Magazine, who?
    • About us (日本語)
    • AVO Magazine presents
    • AVO Magazine Podcast
    • Join AVO Magazine’s Discord Server
    • Support AVO Magazine
  • Staff picks
  • Music
    • Japanese Music News
      • Concerts and festival news
      • Musical Snack
    • Curtain-raiser
    • Weekly MV Roundup
      • About: 7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out
  • Japan-related Events
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Reports
  • Colophon
  • Contact
    • Submissions
    • Join the AVO Magazine team
  • nl Nederlands
  • en English

Copyright © 2012 - 2025 AVO Magazine

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.