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On April 1, 2021, Kobato Miku, the guitarist/lyricist/mastermind of BAND-MAID, released a video of a new song, “PEACE&LOVE,” under the name “cluppo.” The various internet communities that follow BAND-MAID immediately shifted into overdrive to debate whether or not “PEACE&LOVE” was an April Fool’s Day joke, the end of BAND-MAID, or an energetic new direction for Miku.

「1」

The obvious answers to these questions are:

First: So what if this song was released on April 1^st? A song as hypnotic, and as wildly exciting, as “PEACE&LOVE” is no joke. This is power pop at its absolute finest. Name any great power pop artist of the last 50 years – Pursuit Of Happiness, The dB’s, Velvet Crush, The Dwight Twilley Band, Tommy Keene, Matthew Sweet – dare I say it? – Badfinger or Big Star – and you can not find anything more spellbinding or as intoxicating, as “PEACE&LOVE.”

「2」

Second: How could this “solo project” represent the end of anything? BAND-MAID are on a winning streak that cannot be more impressive. The album World Domination was released in February, 2018; Conqueror was released in December, 2019; and Unseen World was released in February, 2021. That is three absolutely perfect, sublime, kick-ass, albums in the space of three years.

And BAND-MAID had to take the time to tour in support each of those albums. The Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama, which has won merely six of the last twelve National Championships in college football in the United States, would love to be as successful as BAND-MAID. It is not likely that BAND-MAID are going to call it quits any time soon.

「3」

Third: If this is what the members of BAND-MAID can accomplish on their own, then, please, give fans solo projects by Saiki, Kanami, Akane, and MISA! MISA! MISA! After all, Bill Bruford, one of the most important rock drummers of all time as a member of YES, King Crimson, and Genesis, released some of his most creative and introspective compositions as a solo band leader during his decades as a creative force.

It is easy to imagine a Saiki solo project that is soulful, emotional and heart-wrenching. Or a MISA! MISA!! MISA!!! project that merges simple punk rock riffs with virtuoso and funky bass licks. Or an Akane project that encompasses everything from fundamental four-on-the-floor rock and roll beats to the most exotic world rhythms from Africa to Oceania. Or a Kanami project that is – well, with Kanami, a genius of the highest order, the solo project could be absolutely anything you can imagine. Give fans all of that and more.

「4」

Therefore, if Kobato Miku releases a song that claims to represent a new genre called “HIPPIE-POPPO,” it ain’t a joke. I am not going to argue with you as to whether it is a new genre or not. You can call it whatever you want.

ページトップの「日本語」をクリックすると、本記事の日本語版を閲覧できます。

For the Japanese version of this article, please click on “日本語 at the top of the page.