Do we really need shoegaze of this kind? A derivative album, whose debts are evident and whose innovations are scarce. An album moreover explicitly inspired by My Bloody Valentine, a group that is essentially unbeatable in the hearts of those who love to stare at their shoes and daze their ears with feedback and distortion. Some found Kevin Shields' return with "m b v" in 2013 avoidable. Just imagine what they might say about these four Japanese who debuted in 2011 precisely with Crystallize and who, for all we know, might have listened to only three or four albums in their entire lives besides Loveless.

We could easily call it a useless album. In its uselessness, however, Crystallize is a really cute album. The Tokyo Shoegazer, a name as kitsch as it is fitting, show they've masterfully learned the lesson of the shoegaze maximae auctoritates and package seven songs that, among slavish imitations, noise whirlwinds, and more catchy moments, do not bore the nostalgic listener who also pays attention to novelty. This album was followed in 2013 by the good Turnaround, unfortunately accompanied by the group's disbandment. In only three years of career, the Tokyo Shoegazer have managed to produce an album to recommend (only) to lovers of the more classic and derivative shoegaze.

A special note for the cover: the album would be worth it just for her.

Tracklist

01   299 Addiction (03:46)

02   Just Alright (03:49)

03   Bright (08:18)

04   Silent Lies (04:31)

05   Waltz Matilda (06:24)

06   Free (03:34)

07   Back To My Place (08:59)

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