TRCK REVIEW: KANJIRU - PANAGINIP
When bands and artists in the PH try to draw inspiration of some other famous band overseas, may it be from the US or from the UK, these local copycats mostly hide in the shadows of that popular band and sometimes lack in progress throughout their careers by blatantly repeating what that band did. Making it seem too predictable to call and it’ll cost the local band to stagnate drastically as the trend disappear. Some bands lack a sense of proper marketing and “push” to stand out. On the other hand, there are acts that take notes from their favorite bands while growing up and use that sound to their advantage and add a bit of twist in their playing, or songwriting, or maybe, packaging.
Lately, one of my friends in the scene sent me a link of this newly-formed band from Novaliches/Fairview, Quezon City, whom they call themselves as Kanjiru. A japanese pop-rock influenced outfit that consists of six members who share the same liking for Japanese culture and their music scene. I mean, from their band name alone, I’m expecting some cringy, teeny boppy, or god knows what Baby Metal-esque type of sound everyone is going into these days, but man oh man I was wrong. I fell in love with the band’s sound right away when I listened to their track “Ayoko Na”, which was released back in June of this year. Their sound presents so much more than I expected. Kanjiru have released around three singles so far, and based from the traction and build up they’re getting, I see these guys hitting it big for their radio-friendly yet palatable choice of tone in their guitar and pianos and passionate vocal star power. Not only that I’m going to discuss about this band’s potential, I’m also going to discuss their latest release.
After releasing two stellar singles back-to-back, these northern metro-based neophytes are looking to step up in their latest single, “Panaginip”. Starting off the track is this synthy lead that grows into a dramatic piano opener, which is funny because they amazingly capture that feel when you’re listening to a anime soundtrack, then the vocal performance here complimented with the slow chord progressions, and the chime-y piano key fill in the middle that gives off more to the dynamic that the song rightfully needs. Overall, this track is okay and it can grow on you if you’re looking forward to listening to a very sappy song. Nevertheless, the performances they give in these songs are just too good to be true, and to be fair, they’re pretty much the most easily digestible band there is existing in the local music community as of the moment, and I see nothing wrong with that, this is a band that I’m definitely rooting for in the future. You guys need to check this band out!