Karma [CD+DVD / Type B]

It only took two studio albums for BRATS to find a totally coherent sound signature. Warning! The first album was already excellent, but the group was still trying to define their own style (they were still teenagers!). But this second album is "signed" by the Kuromiya sisters from start to finish - obviously Rei's powerful and atypical (in Japanese rock) voice lights up every track, and is instantly recognizable. But Aya's bass also acquired a personality of its own and a distinct tone. Record a song with just Rei's vocals and Aya's bass and it'll be 100% Brats already. As for the compositions, they are at the same time varied, percussive, gripping and yet homogeneous - the album is a whole, without any waste or even weak time - it's rare! If I had to make a small complaint, or rather express a desire for the future: I would like from time to time a longer track, like "Big Bad World" on the first album. It will be for the traditional "maturity album" (the third). I would be remiss if I did not salute Hinako's work - admittedly she left, but her guitar certainly helped a lot in polishing these songs - domo arigato!