Jizue's newest single got released a few days ago and it kicks off with a mallet instrument shaping a theme so annoyingly overused and recognizable, akin to a “perfect life in New York before the apocalypse” movie scene. The initial statement is not other than the iconic opening bars of Pachelbel's Canon in D. But wait in your seat, because what follows is an eclectic musical roller coaster with sugar levels reaching diabetical proportions. Imagine this: math-rock intricacies collide head-on with jazzy harmonies and improvisation, sprinkled with stereotypical motifs from a Japanese TV melodrama, alongside occasional quotes from Pachelbel's Canon.

Believe me when I say that Jizue's embrace of cheesiness is intentional—just take a look at their latest single title, "Hilarious." They've made a habit of dipping their toes into the pinkest shades of Mozart, Vivaldi, and even Bach himself in previous albums. It's as if they've made it their mission to reimagine classical music's most saccharine moments alongside the complexities of math-rock and jazz, delivering the most refined kitsch imaginable.

This is the main reason why Japanese math rock always piques my interest, the scene is populated by a bunch of ultra-talented weirdos who wield virtuosity in ways that leave you scratching your head in awe. While most math-rock composers stick to the tried-and-tested formulas with clean electric guitars, Japanese groups like Haisuinonasa and Österreich aren't afraid to throw a piano into the mix, infusing it with the same idiomatic characteristics typical of a math-rock clean guitar. Then there's Jyocho, who adds a touch of romanticism with piano and traverse flutes, and of course, Jizue, who dive headfirst into jazz and classical piano literature to churn out the cheesiest tunes imaginable.

The piano certainly wields a dominant timbral force in a math rock setting where the only other melodic instruments are the guitar and the bass. To add to this, the most ear-catching themes in "Hilarious" are reserved for the piano. However, I would recommend paying special attention to the guitar, which consistently enhances the qualities of the piano. It achieves this through interesting octaved echoes of the piano theme, acrobatic counterpunctual accompaniments, and engaging musical dialogues.

So, who's this track recommended for? Well, if you're someone who finds joy in the absurd, if you're looking to sprinkle a bit of aural glitter onto your daily routine, then Jizue is the band for you. Classical and jazz aficionados will find themselves smiling, maybe laughing a little bit. 

Enjoy the milkshake!

https://www.jizue.com/

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Author: Martín Cacho

Martín is a video game composer, producer and writer from Sonora, México.