3
tricot keep 3 moving quickly, but also make their gift for melody clearer. The guitars remain unpredictable, the drums change direction easily, and the bass finds its way through the gaps. Yet the playing rarely feels overcrowded. The vocal lines turn those moving parts into songs you can recognise quite quickly.
Tokyo Vampire Hotel starts with plenty of force. Busy drums and sharp guitar parts sound impatient, but the singing gives the track a clear line to follow. Yosoiki then finds a smoother movement, with a noticeable funk and disco flavour. The band do not have to keep playing harder or adding complexity to stay interesting. A different emphasis in the rhythm is often enough.
That variety is one of the album's strengths. Sukima is calmer and lets its melody move more gently, while Echo has a jazzy softness. Against that sits the nervous interaction of 18, 19, where the musicians keep making the music turn suddenly. Those small rhythmic surprises work because the songs otherwise provide enough stability.
The high vocals will not appeal equally to everyone. On Pork Ginger especially, their prominent sound can grate, even if that discomfort is part of the track's tension. This music also asks for attention: its quick changes are difficult to ignore. Anyone looking for a steady guitar background will find little rest here.
Otherwise, 3 brings its ideas together convincingly. The backing vocals strengthen the accessible side without softening the sharp instrumental playing. Closing track Melon Soda presents that combination at its catchiest. This is a record where complicated music remains enjoyable and direct. tricot offer more than an opportunity to admire technique: the songs give you a good reason to return.
