In March 2016, the band MUNIMUNI (ム ニ ム ニ) launched a mini-album, according to the band itself; it took 6 years before this CD was released: A_KILLS_A. Was it worth the wait?
Track list:
01. A_KILLS_A
02. NEO SONG
03. &4
04 .KOGEN
05. BIG MONEY
It’s also for the first time in years that MUNIMUNI – described as sadistical punk band – has come up with new music. In addition to the fact that the visual kei band waited for 6 years with A_KILLS_A, the fans have been waiting for more than 6 years for another mini-album that was announced: THE DOGUU ALBUM. How should you entitle this band? Important to know is that the book, which belongs to the CD, contains the phrase “We love our audience.” a few times. But is this meant sarcastically or not?
At the time of recording A_KILLS_A, MUNIMUNI has a very different line-up than at the time of the live CD GIGS case or doguu. The guitarist is now Kle, bassist is Tomo (also active in emmurée) and drummer is Shintaro (also active in dummy-xD). There have been several musicians who have contributed to A_KILLS_A, including aie of the god and death stars and YUKIYA of (D ≒ SIRE) who have sung in a number of tracks.
The album does not start with the wailing voice of singer CANOU, his voice is low and monotonous and that can of course get used to if you are used to MUNIMUNI. CANOU is telling about a story called A_KILLS_A. His voice is very nice to hear and clear on the mini-album, while the music feels heavy. Repetitions of certain words in, among others, A_KILLS_A and Neo Song make the songs almost hypnotic. Neo Song was then sung in English, singing for more than three minutes that we are nothing and dead. The last two tracks include the well-known singing voice of CANOU, popping up the wailing side. & 4 is a collaboration between all four band members. Everyone has a share of singing, as can be seen in the only music video released to promote the release. Big Money is in the line of フ ッ フ ー (Fuffuu): happy, upbeat and therefore super danceable.
Unfortunately, A_KILLS_A has only five tracks, and that’s really too little of new music that I had to wait for so many years. Nevertheless, this CD should not be missed in the MUNIMUNI collection, considering it contains five very good tracks with the well-known dark melancholic and sometimes groovy sound that is instrumental well supported. But for the time being it stays a sound is especially suitable for the music fan who can find warmth in the melancholic sounds of MUNIMUNI.
In addition, the voice of CANOU is definitely improved, the off-tune sounds in his vocals are as good as disappeared and, in doing so, he seems to have grown into singing. I cannot wait for the DOGUU ALBUM, since then it can be heard if this conclusion really seems to be correct.
Score: 80/100
