Customer Reviews

Hush

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before Hush, Asobi Seksu were very much a My Bloody Valentine tribute band, though not in the negative way that such a description denotes. Asobi Seksu is one of the few bands that can effectively recreate the palette of sounds created by Kevin Shields and apply it to excellent pop songcraft, backed by Yuki Chikudate's ethereal vocals. Their self-titled debut was a solid little number, serving more as a sample of what was to come than standing on its own merits as a worthwhile album. It was the kind of disc that belonged in a good shoegaze collection, but wouldn't get spun too often. Citrus, on the other hand, was one of the best shoegaze albums since MBV's landmark Loveless and Slowdive's damn-near-as-good Souvlaki, and it perfectly blended the dark, dreamy gauze of shoegaze with spry pop songwriting.

Not content to simply continue in the same path, Asobi Seksu have taken a step back on Hush, their latest LP, cutting away a lot of the textural components of Citrus and the S/T albums in order to let the songs stand more on their own. Unfortunately, irregardless of the lack of shoegaze on this record, the songs just don't stand up as strongly as those on Citrus. Even the killer songs like Familiar Light feel like they're only living up to part of their potential, as though there is somewhere more these songs should go. I'm glad that Asobi Seksu is continuing to grow, and Hush is a good album that suffers a little from those growing pains, but hardly in a fashion that makes it a bad record. It's no Citrus, but it's worth hearing, enjoying, and owning.

8/10

I've never heard of this group upon reading a review on [...] about it. Based on the overview of the band, it sounds like the previous album from this group was in the vein of shoegazing bands like My Bloody Valentine, Ride, etc. This album was supposed to be a marked departure from that noise/melodic sound that the shoegazers perfected so well.

At any rate, after I got this album, I've been listening to it constantly. Musically, to phrase it as simply as I can, it's majestic and sweeping. It's like being swept into another world or an alternate state. Although I have a hard time understanding the lyrics (some of it sung in Japanese), it doesn't matter in the end. The lead singer, Yuki Chikudate, has this sort of heavenly, yet innocent, voice that's enchanting and mesmerizing. It's a beautiful album, one of my favorites so far this year.

This band puts on a great show and their studio work is alive with their lively spirits. Yuki Chikudate is so interesting and beautiful. A could listen to her all day - and I have!

I absolutely LOVE this cd! Perfect BRAND NEW condition! It was very fast shipping & arrived still in original packaging! Thank you SO much!

Asobi Seksu tends to get classified with other shoegazing type bands: distorted guitars with an ethereal sound. This album finds them in a dreamy space. The vinyl is wonderfully pressed and will make a handsome addition to anyone's collection. The single "Me & Mary" is the standout track, but there's lots to like about "Hush."

I have always enjoyed this band - their videos are inventive, fun, artful without looking labored. Yuki is a GREAT frontwoman and I predict very big things for her.