Killer In Neverland

4s4ki

So clearly Here Or Hell was just a warm up because after only six months, we already have a new full-length record from Japanese singer, rapper, and producer 4s4ki. I wasn't totally blown away by the EP, but I thought the six tracks were all fairly strong and showed her to have both an eclectic taste in styles as well as a comprehensive set of skills. I'm feeling very similarly about this new album Killer In Neverland. In most cases, I'm still not head over heels with these songs for the most part, but I recognize that the production and the singing is all quality, and I can also say that the stylistic bases this record covers is even more expansive. We've got the otherworldly and atmospheric Cyberspace which has numerous drum switch-ups and also shows off 4s4ki's talents as both singer and rapper. I also really enjoyed the hyperpop stylings of LOG OUT, especially for that laid back hip-hop beat. Sword of preemptive attack almost has a bit of a breakcore feel with the crazy drum and bass percussion, and the squeaky samples playing in the background. The track truly shines though when it transitions into this rhythmic drum breakdown that is so full of bounce, it's impossible not to move. The tunes keep rolling with ring ring, you kill me, which despite the presence of more drum and bass beats in the chorus, has a much calmer demeanour. The subtle emo influence, the synth arpeggios that open the track, and the various guitar elements give the brain a much needed break. It's a great vibe.

All those songs are strong, but again, nothing was really getting me super excited. That is until I heard BOUNCE DANCE. I love the distorted and staccato synth string sound and the minimal subdued beat in the beginning. The vocal melody and the harmonies in the build-up are also so incredibly feel good, and when that heavier beat drops with a more warped version of that opening synth sound, it has an even more satisfying bounce than on Sword of preemptive attack. It's catchy and undeniably joyous. It honestly stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it and it continues to wash me with blissful waves of love and positivity.

Now I know I said that 4s4ki brings consistent quality to her projects, at least judging from what I've heard so far. However, with this full-length album, I did start to see some missteps; mostly in the middle of the record. I didn't really care for the eerie, trap-hop vibes of both into the darkness and Freedom Kingdom. Swervy appears on the latter - the only guest appearance on the album - and I can't really say I'm liking her voice. The put on inflection sounds like she is talking out of the side of her mouth and I find they're also rapping a little too behind the beat; not really being able to lock in. Then we have sweet dream which I honestly think I would have loved if it weren't for the 'song overheard from a bedroom down the hall' aesthetic it's aiming for. If the production was more forward and enveloping, this could easily have been another blissful track. There was one track though that I really could not get behind and that was paranoia. We see a bigger emo crossover here, which I'm not at all against, except the chorus on this one is truly awful. We have more acoustic sounding drums that are awkwardly mixed into the song, the auto-tune also feels a little more aggressive for it to fit in, and not to mention some shockingly bad vocal lines and melodies.

These tracks unfortunately brought down my enjoyment of the record quite a bit. That being said, I'm still fairly impressed with 4s4ki's output this year. She has loads of talent and many great ideas, although, the songwriting can still use some touching up. I feel like she is missing that one special, electrifying thing that is keeping me from really loving what she is doing. I don't know what that thing is, but it sounds like she is really close to finding it. I look forward to seeing how she evolves on the next project.