Quickly returning with another full album after last year’s Evolve, Japanese groove/modern metal act Nemophila bring us their fourth album in Apple of My Eye. Since Evolve last year, the group parted ways with guitarist Saki, citing differences in musical direction. Continuing on as a four piece, Nemophila bring some new arrangements to their latest album, moving into some heavier and more diverse waters, and it’s something that should thrill long-time fans as well as help introduce the band to a larger foreign audience.
Much like last year’s Evolve, Apple of My Eye isn’t content with simply sticking to the script. Songs range from some incredibly heavy and bordering on brutal stuff, to ballads to culturally influenced numbers. There’s a bit of something for anyone without spreading themselves too thin. “Brainwash” is likely the go-to for the heavier side of things, with it’s groove emphasis and frantic drum battery by Tamu Murata, while Mayu does a lot of flexing on her aggressive screams. The brutal breakdown towards the song’s end is nothing if not vicious. “Just Do It!” opens the album with energy to spare, melding some heavy riffing playful basswork from Haraguchi-san with a soaring and memorable chorus that will certainly entice people to further explore the album. “Error Detection” delivers a potent bit of heaviness as well, rounded out by what should be an easy and fun ‘sing-a-long’ live chorus, and the song switches to an almost Indian-sounding flavor in the second half.
“赤加賀智-AKAKAGACHI-” acts much like “Ame-te-ras” did on Evolve, with big, tribal-esque drumming to the forefront of the song, which was influenced by a serpent dance, and Mayu’s vocals flow around the music in an utterly addictive way, rounded out by a fine solo by Hazuki. “アナタダレ” does a different variation of the tribal-esque drumming patterns at the onset, before exploding into more groovy riffing, giving drummer Tamu another section to shine in. “Beautiful Days” is the ballad of this album, and it certainly sounds like one of the best ones that the band has ever done. The melodies are pretty, and Mayu’s vocals carry the emotional weight to bring the track some extra gravitas, and none of the usual ‘sap’ for this type of track. The closing song, “Good as Hell Quartet” is a fist in the air type anthem, balancing stadium rock elements (including a flashy solo) with heavier ones in such a way that it’s hard not to simply start the album all over again once it finishes.
Apple of My Eye is yet another shining example of what Nemophila can do. It’s heavy and full of grooves, but carefully balanced with melodies and outside the box influences to make for an album that grabs and holds your attention from start to finish. It’s fun, continues to expand Nemophila’s sonic palette, and hopefully brings them one step closer to making an international name for themselves. Rightfully, they should be the next Japanese act to make it big, if they so desire.