I wrote a track-by-track review of Ryugujo’s new EP a few days after it was released, and I’ve only gone on to appreciate it more since then. It feels like Ryugujo’s music takes a quantum leap forward every time they release something new. This will be a hard feat to keep up, but it’s been a thrilling experience so far. Deep Wave is both the title of the EP and the song chosen for promotions. Initially, I wrote that it wasn’t my favorite on the album, but that’s starting to change (though the excellent Late Show will be nearly impossible to usurp).
Like most of my favorite songs, Deep Wave takes a few listens to fall in love with. Its repeated hook will stick with you immediately, but the unusual tempo changes during its centerpiece may take some getting used to. What kicks off as a sprightly dance track soon plunges into a languid interlude, incorporating new melodies before renewing its energy in grand, cinematic fashion. Member Haruku’s wonderfully raw voice takes center stage here, making the case for idiosyncratic expression over autotuned pop perfection.
As daring as this arrangement is, Deep Wave‘s biggest charms occur before and after that disorienting slowdown. The beat here goes off, ornamenting its house influences with rhythm guitar and a festival-like atmosphere that grows bigger and bolder as the track continues. The rap verses are as thrilling and catchy as the repeated melody, delivered with impish charisma that chews on the groove with relish. The transition back into the beat, just after the two minute mark, is one of my favorite musical moments this year. Then, apocalyptic sirens enter the mix to give the track an otherworldly tension. Deep Wave is very ‘push and pull’ all the way through, piercing its straightforward moments with left turns that keep your ear constantly off guard. It’s this blend of brilliant pop sensibilities and surreal exploration that makes the song so compelling. I can’t stop listening to it.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 9.25 |
