Phantasia
LITE move through restless music with considerable precision on Phantasia. The Japanese band play instrumental rock where guitars, bass and drums keep responding to one another. The sounds are sharp and clear, while volume provides only part of the tension. Brief spaces and unexpected movements can matter as much as a heavier passage.
Ef establishes that sound immediately. Guitar lines move quickly, yet the individual parts remain carefully placed. Forceful playing has a clear organisation behind it. Infinite Mirror offers a different point of connection through a more regular, danceable groove. The technical side remains, with a comfortably recognisable foundation beneath it.
Black and White brings unease and melancholy closer together. A slower build gives the stronger passage more room to make an impression. Bass adds colour beyond the sharp guitars. LITE can play complicated music without making difficulty the only thing worth noticing. Their attention to the relationship between the instruments gives the record much of its character.
That balance is less convincing in some sections. Certain passages impress mainly through their execution, leaving less behind as melody. More patient pieces do not always have the force of the immediate ones either. Solitude provides a useful pause, but additional space in the sequence does not resolve the unevenness entirely.
Still, Phantasia offers considerably more than instrumental exercises. Sharp rhythms, intertwined guitars and warmer bass tones give it a distinct character. Precise performances make the energy clear even when the emotional connection becomes less immediate. Listeners who enjoy following how instruments move alongside and around each other should find plenty here. The strongest material combines that activity with a clear sense of tension.
