EP REVIEW: Bucchigiri Tokyo – Hanabie

Despite their cutesy bubblegum pop aesthetics and uniquely off-the-wall sound, Japanese four-piece HANABIE pack a considerable punch that outweighs their gimmick appeal. Blending tween J-pop and anime soundtracks with ferocious metalcore screams and brutal riffs may seem like a recipe for an incomprehensible mess, HANABIE manage to keep going based on frantic energy and genuine love for their heavier side.

To address the elephant in the room straight away, HANABIE do share a similar premise to fellow J-pop meets metal stars BABYMETAL. However, from the first lines of Bucchigiri Tokyo it’s clear that HANABIE are far more committed to their non-stop barrage of distorted guitars and throat-tearing screams than their more popular counterparts. Lead singer Yukina instantly steals the show, with more in common with the vocalists from LORNA SHORE or BRAND OF SACRIFICE than any J-pop group. The title track does an admirable job of showing off her range, from punchy, percussive screams to powerful melodies. While they may look like a Japanese pop group using metal to stand out, HANABIE are in fact a ravenous metalcore beast dressed as four innocent looking girls, waiting to pounce. 

While Bucchigiri Tokyo does its best to open up to more traditional metal fans, HANABIE wear their J-pop aesthetic proudly enough on their sleeve to keep the gatekeepers at a safe distance. With Yukina’s apocalyptic screams and drummer Chika’s machine-gun beats, HANABIE could have taken the easy route and slotted in seamlessly with the crowds of western metalcore acts but instead incorporate uniquely Japanese influences from dramatic anime themes and sugary pop idol culture with tracks like Metamorphose! and OTAKU Lovely Densetsu making the most of these inspirations through extravagant choruses and high-pitched, sugary ad libs. With bands like SPIRITBOX and ARCHITECTS acting as clear inspirations it’s fantastic to hear a totally unique take on this well-trodden area of heavy music.

Although HANABIE do manage to deliver a new take on their metalcore meets kawaii-pop sound the quartet also seem to understand that their schtick has its limits, deciding to keep their songs, as well as the whole of their Bucchigiri Tokyo EP, short and sweet. Most of the EP’s six tracks stick to the three minute standard, throwing out a rapid barrage of bubblegum pink ferocity before rushing onto the next idea. The longest track GAMBLER crams plenty of saccharine melodies and intense distorted riffs into its three and a half minute runtime whereas the shortest, the less than two minute closing track Bonus Time Guilty, gives HANABIE space to explore genres like breakcore and hyperpop in a light, tongue-in-cheek way. Bucchigiri Tokyo is unlikely to leave anyone clamouring for HANABIE’s first twelve minute epic but these succinct tracks are sure to leave their impact.

Sure, HANABIE won’t be every heavy music fan’s cup of tea, with the neon explosion of Japanese pop tropes scaring away plenty of battle-jacketed metalheads. For those willing to lean into the ridiculous fun of it all however, Bucchigiri Tokyo holds a treasure trove of brightly coloured dance breaks and demonic breakdowns.

Rating: 7/10

Bucchigiri Tokyo is out now Sony Music Japan.

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