A four member hard rock band/metal from Japan, Emanon are out to carve a niche for themselves in the burgeoning scene. Yes, Emanon stems from the name of their album in reverse, No Name, and feature in their ranks a variety of background influences from idols to modeling to solo artists. If No Name does one thing very well, it’s taking that pool of varied influences and putting it into an energetic and consistent stream of enjoyable songs that will stick with the listener long after one listen.
It’s obvious from the first track that Emanon are going after a modern sound, and the integration of electronics and heavy grooves are going to be the focal point. It comes out from the gate with playful and noticeable basswork from Boochan (even with a brief solo later on), giving it a very danceable sound that’s incredibly ear-worming. Erisa’s passionate vocals come off as empowered and soaring as the chorus approaches. The guitarwork from Kana weaves in and out of the basslines to provide some entertaining melodies that are catchy but feature plenty of oomph behind them, while the varied drumming from Sato Arisa provides some solid fill work. When they go for the heavier side of their sound, such as “Cheeky Anthem,” the frantic urgency works wonders. The galloping thrash tempos in the track are energetic, but it’s perpetually hook-filled still as the continued standout bass bounces around, and the shredding all but dances around it.
Another cut that has that similar frantic vibe but turns it into a more modern and electronically augmented feeling is that of “Out of Control.” There’s an almost punk-ish vibe to the track’s driving riffs, and Erisa swings from fiery to gentle as the track urgently swerves. “Loose End” also captures that punk spirit, imbuing it with more electronics and melodies, relying a bit more on grooves and stadium rock chants when it relents. That said, on the more melodic end of the spectrum, “Yusei Shojo” delivers some guitar melodies from Kana that are as intricate as they are beautiful. Adding in some powerful Erisa vocals gives it an extra shot in the arm in memorability, especially when it escalates in the chorus. The follow-up song “Reflection” rachets up the melodic intricacy, particularly with the rumbling bass, radiating some light jazz club vibes into the fun mix.
Playful and fun are the best words to describe No Name. Much like Togenashi Togeari, there’s an intricacy beyond the initial catchiness with Emanon. You can choose to drill into the scorching solos, joyous basswork, soaring vocals, or thunderous drumming, and it’s bolstered by the pristine production. But even at the surface level, the music is incredibly addictive and a joy to listen to, and quite frankly, that’s the most important element. You will be thrilled by No Name, and it’s bound to win over any unsuspecting audiences with its charms. A band to watch as they move ahead.