Unleash (EP)
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Unleash
| type = EP
| artist = Band-Maid
| cover = Band-Maid_Unleash.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| released = {{Start date|2022|9|21}}
| genre =
| length = 28:33
| language = Japanese
| label =
| prev_title = Unseen World
| prev_year = 2021
| next_title = Epic Narratives
| next_year = 2024
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Unleash
| type = EP
| single1 = Sense
| single1date = October 27, 2021
}}
}}
Unleash is the second extended play by Japanese rock band Band-Maid.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ponycanyon.co.jp/music/PCCA000006155|title=Unleash（通常盤）-Band－Maid|website=Pony Canyon|access-date=January 24, 2022|language=ja}} The EP was released by Pony Canyon on September 21, 2022, and contains eight tracks, including the lead single "Sense".{{Cite web |last=Pryor |first=Terrence |title=J-rock band Band-Maid announce new EP 'Unleash' at Anime Expo 2022 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/j-rock-band-band-maid-announce-new-ep-unleash-at-anime-expo-2022/ar-AAZ8jU6|date=July 9, 2022|access-date=September 25, 2022|website=MSN}} It debuted at number nine on the Oricon Albums Chart, selling 7,590 in its first week.{{cite web|url=https://billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=top_albums&year=2022&month=10&day=03|title=Billboard Japan Top Albums: 2022/09/28 公開|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|access-date=December 26, 2022}}
Background and recording
The songs on Unleash were taken from compositions that the band had worked on over the previous two years.{{cite web|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000223187|title=【インタビュー】Band-Maid、世界征服の第二章を進める新曲「Unleash!!!!!」|website=Barks.jp|language=ja|date=August 10, 2022|access-date=September 25, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/pp/bandmaid08/page/3|title=Band-Maid「Unleash」インタビュー｜世界征服第2章の幕開け、"解放"を掲げた新作EP完成 - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー|website=Natalie.mu|language=ja|date=September 22, 2022|page=3|access-date=September 25, 2022}}
Composition and lyrics
Lead guitarist Kanami Tōno stated that she tries not to listen to rock bands, so that she won't be inspired by them.{{cite web|url=https://www.vanitymix.jp/music/band-maid-6/2/|title=Band-Maid VanityMix Web Limited Interview|website=VanityMix.jp|date=September 26, 2022 |language=ja|page=2|access-date=September 28, 2022}} "From Now On" originated because lead vocalist Saiki Atsumi wanted to have a new instrumental.{{cite web|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000224736&page=2|title=【インタビュー】Band-Maid、"らしさ"と"新しさ"満載のEP『Unleash』完成「文字通り解放っていう感じの作品になった」|website=Barks.jp|language=ja|date=September 21, 2022|page=2|access-date=September 25, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vanitymix.jp/music/band-maid-6/|title=Band-Maid VanityMix Web Limited Interview|website=VanityMix.jp|date=September 26, 2022 |language=ja|page=1|access-date=September 28, 2022}} The song includes orchestral elements.{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/pp/bandmaid08|title=Band-Maid「Unleash」インタビュー｜世界征服第2章の幕開け、"解放"を掲げた新作EP完成 - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー|website=Natalie.mu|language=ja|date=September 22, 2022|page=1|access-date=September 25, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tvlife.jp/pickup/502563/3|title=Band-Maidインタビュー "世界征服"第2弾と銘打った2nd EP『Unleash』を手に過去最長の全米ツアーへ|website=TVLife.jp|language=ja|page=3|access-date=September 25, 2022}} Bassist Misa wrote her bass solo on a keyboard. Tōno wrote "Balance" with an image of bouncy song, but that would also feel futuristic and experimental.{{cite web|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000224736&page=3|title=【インタビュー】Band-Maid、"らしさ"と"新しさ"満載のEP『Unleash』完成「文字通り解放っていう感じの作品になった」|website=Barks.jp|language=ja|date=September 21, 2022|page=3|access-date=September 25, 2022}} It includes lots of English words because rhythm guitarist/vocalist Miku Kobato wanted to use more strong words.{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/pp/bandmaid08/page/2|title=Band-Maid「Unleash」インタビュー｜世界征服第2章の幕開け、"解放"を掲げた新作EP完成 - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー|website=Natalie.mu|language=ja|date=September 22, 2022|page=2|access-date=September 25, 2022}} Atsumi asked Kobato to make the beginning of the chorus in Japanese.
Atsumi asked Tōno to write "Unleash!!!!!" with the theme of the second phase of world domination. Tōno wanted the melody at the start of the song to be the hook as she feels that Atsumi has a very hook-laden voice. The vocal key was originally higher but Atsumi found it difficult to sing. It was the last song written for the EP. The tempo is 193.{{cite web|url=https://www.vanitymix.jp/music/band-maid-5/|title=Band-Maid VanityMix Web Limited Interview|website=Vanitymix.jp|date=August 11, 2022 |language=ja|access-date=September 25, 2022}}
"Sense" and "Corallium" originally appeared on the single for "Sense". They were approached to write "Sense" on New Year's Day 2021 and recorded it before summer.{{cite web|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000209960|title=【インタビュー】Band-Maid、新しい武器を手に入れ"心の世界征服"|website=Barks.jp|language=ja|date=October 28, 2021|access-date=September 25, 2022}} The lyrics are about the manga Platinum End. They were given free range with the lyrics, except that they had to include the words "angel" and "premonition".{{cite web|url=https://e.usen.com/interview/interview-original/band-maidsense2.html|title=Band-Maid「Sense」インタビュー――中2病みたいなワクワク!|website=Usen|date=October 28, 2021|access-date=September 25, 2022|language=ja}} The orchestral intro was not originally part of the song, Tōno composed it after the producers of the anime asked them to include it.{{cite web|url=https://www.musicvoice.jp/interview/music-interview/209544/|title=「幸せにしてやる！」Band-Maidの本質とは|website=musicvoice.jp|language=ja|date=November 4, 2021|access-date=September 25, 2022}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/billboard-japan-band-maid-interview-1235003909/|title=Japan's Band-Maid Talk Connecting With Fans Around the World During COVID & Their New Single 'Sense'|magazine=Billboard|date=November 30, 2021|access-date=September 25, 2022}}
Atsumi also wrote lyrics for "I'll", but Kobato's lyrics were chosen instead. "Corallium" is Atsumi's first lyrical composition. Kobato also wrote lyrics for the song, but Atsumi's lyrics were chosen instead. The song is about the ocean, which she is afraid of. She stated that she thinks the ocean is similar to love. Atsumi asked Tōno to write a song similar to "Alone" or "Choose Me".{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/special/detail/3370|title=＜インタビュー＞Band-Maid、コロナ禍での国内外のファンに向けた活動＆最新シングル『Sense』を語る|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|format=Skip to the second page.|date=November 11, 2021|access-date=September 25, 2022}}
"Influencer" is about women who live their lives through social media and want to be beautiful all the time. When Tōno was writing the song, she knew that she wanted to include a long bass solo.{{cite web|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000224736&page=4|title=【インタビュー】Band-Maid、"らしさ"と"新しさ"満載のEP『Unleash』完成「文字通り解放っていう感じの作品になった」|website=Barks.jp|language=ja|date=September 21, 2022|page=4|access-date=September 25, 2022}} Drummer Akane Hirose consciously wanted to include simple and intense sounding drums without too much complexity.
"Hate?" is the oldest song on Unleash, it was written two years earlier as an instrumental. When Atsumi heard Tōno's demo for the song, Atsumi thought that Tōno was angry about something, which she denied, saying she had an image of an explosion. The lyrics were written at a time when Atsumi was seeing a lot of stories about infidelities in the news. Kobato also wrote lyrics for the song, but Atsumi's lyrics were chosen instead.
Critical reception
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| Publication
! Accolade ! Rank |
|---|
| scope="row"|Punknews.org
| Samantha Barrett's Top EPs of 2022 |
| scope="row"|Rice Digital
| Six of the top 2022 JRock albums |
| scope="row"|Wall of Sound
| Simon Valentine's Top 10 Releases of 2022 |
Track listing
All music written by Band-Maid.
{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing for Unleash
| title1 = From Now On
| lyrics1 = (instrumental)
| length1 = 3:46
| title2 = Balance
| lyrics2 = Miku Kobato
| length2 = 3:09
| title3 = Unleash!!!!!
| lyrics3 = Kobato, Saiki Atsumi
| length3 = 3:10
| title4 = Sense
| lyrics4 = Kobato
| length4 = 3:24
| title5 = I'll
| lyrics5 = Kobato
| length5 = 4:07
| title6 = Corallium
| lyrics6 = Atsumi
| length6 = 3:54
| title7 = Influencer
| lyrics7 = Kobato
| length7 = 3:23
| title8 = Hate?
| lyrics8 = Atsumi
| length8 = 3:37
| total_length = 28:33
}}
=DVD/Blu-ray (Limited Edition)=
{{track listing
| title1 = Unleash!!!!!
| note1 = Music video
| title2 = From Now On
| note2 = Music video
| title3 = Unleash!!!!!
| note3 = Instrumental video
| title4 = Sense
| note4 = Instrumental video
}}
Personnel
Band-Maid
- Saiki Atsumi – lead vocals
- Miku Kobato – rhythm guitar, vocals
- Kanami Tōno – lead guitar
- Misa – bass
- Akane Hirose – drums
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for Unleash ! scope="col"| Chart (2022) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{album chart|Oricon|9|date=2022-10-03|rowheader=true|access-date=September 28, 2022|refname="Oricon"}} |
| scope="row"| Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan){{cite web|url=http://billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2022&month=10&day=03|title=Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2022/09/28 公開|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|access-date=September 28, 2022}}
| 10 |
|---|