SCANDAL - Yellow FLAC

Yellow, SCANDAL’s seventh full length album, was released in March 2016, almost ten years after they first picked up instruments and formed the band while attending dance and vocal school in Osaka and Nagoya. Some reviewers and longtime fans have said it’s not as strong as past efforts or that it strays too far from the sound of their early days. There’s a simple answer to this: they’re wrong. If there were any damn justice Yellow would have been a worldwide smash hit elevating SCANDAL to the ranks of international superstars! They’ve come a long way from the punk styling’s of “Space Ranger,” and Yellow showcases a band brimming with confidence and adept playing in multiple styles. The twelve new tunes run the gamut from power pop to warm ballads to reggae of all things! Although they had always been involved in the song writing process even on their indie releases, with Yellow they take over full authorship of every tune and it’s a delight to hear their inner voices expressed. Guitarist Mami in particular emerges as a major songwriting talent.

The album kicks off with the rocked up instrumental “Room #7,” an old school call to “turn it up!” (or insert your “let’s get this party started” phrase here). “Stamp!,” the album’s leadoff single is next, with the start/stop rhythm mirroring the lyrical content and Mami’s fluid and fiery guitar work splashed over every verse and chorus. Lead vocalist Haruna’s turn on “Love Me Do” is a treat, showcasing a singer whose voice has matured into a warm and supple instrument. The wistful backup vocals make the whole thing 100% better! SCANDAL slows the tempo down with the gorgeous ballad “Morning Sun,” another standout vocal performance. “Heaven Na Kibun” mines a grunge vibe with guitars that throb and moan like classic Soundgarden or Nirvana. Mami’s solo takes a page out of Adrien Belew’s book of Lodger noise fests, while Haruna’s rhythm guitar tone is crunchier than a bowl of corn flakes without milk. Reggae is a tricky musical style to master and bands who attempt it run the risk of falling flat. On bassist Tomomi’s “Love” they prove they are more than up to the challenge with Tomomi and drummer Rina showing what a solid rhythm section they’ve become. “Sisters,” the second single track, is a mid-tempo rocker celebrating, well … sisterhood, brimming with positivity and Mami’s trademark octave lead playing. SCANDAL redeems the power ballad with the album’s closer “Chiisana Honoo” (Small Flame), proving that if done right the genre can live up to its name.

SCANDAL used to bill themselves as the “most powerful girlie rock band.” With albums like Yellow and their always energetic and rapturously attended live shows, they could credibly claim to be the most powerful rock band, period!