Given Johnny’s & Associates’ latest implosion, I’m paying shut consideration to Hideaki Takizawa’s newly-established TOBE label, which is turning into a house to an increasing number of ex-Johnny’s skills. I’ve my very own tackle the J&An argument (largely, I’m irritated that the company’s skills appear to be those paying for his or her late founder’s crimes), however no matter your ideas on the matter it’s going to be an fascinating few years for the corporate.
IMP. used to go by the title IMPACTors, selling as a Johnny’s Junior group earlier than transferring to TOBE. Their digital debut Cruisin’ has grow to be one in all my summer time highlights — an irresistible slice of upbeat pop. Lower than a month since its launch, the blokes are again with a edgier rock monitor. The self-titled IMP. is the form of music I’d anticipated them to file, echoing previous highlights like 2021’s Prime Of The World.
By sure requirements, IMP. is as tropey as songs come. We’ve heard this fashion of anime-esque idol rock monitor numerous instances earlier than. Nonetheless, I occur to like this explicit template. It will take an actual clunker to show me towards this dramatic sound. IMP. isn’t an infinite standout, but it surely’s a really stable instance of the style. It does some issues I really like (acapella refrain intro, hearty melodies with loads of vary, beneficiant doses of electrical guitar) and little or no I don’t. It lacks the enjoyable issue that made Cruisin’ so sturdy, however I’m having fun with the duality IMP. has proven to date.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
Grade: B
