Album Review: Tricot's 'AND' LP

2015
12 songs
Length: 47:51
Available to buy on vinyl or Spotify or Google Play

Tricot are a three-piece math rock band from Kyoto, Japan. The band is made up of three permanent members; guitarist/vocalist, ‎Ikumi ‘Ikkyu’ Nakajima, guitarist Motoko ‘Motifour’ Kida and bassist Hiromi ‘Hirohiro’ Sagane, with rotating drummers. ‘AND’ is their sophomore album. Complex with is unusual rhythms, clashing guitars and frantic drumming; it is electrifying math rock with sweet-sounding vocals.

The band formed in 2010. In 2011, Kazutaka Komaki joined as drummer and in 2013, they released their first album ‘THE’. In 2014, Komaki left the band and Tricot became a three-piece with rotating drummers. They released ‘AND’ in 2015, enlisting multiple drummers to play on the album.

The band have a variety of influences including Japanese bands Number Girl and Acidman (NME), Fallout Boy, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Eagles; the latter Kida states she was influenced by ‘in terms of their backing chorus work.’ Tricot have said that ‘AND’ was written primarily by starting with Kida’s guitar phrases (Rolling Stone Magazine).

‘Noradrenaline’ is the first track on the album and opens with a thundering drumbeat leading into jerky guitar, a strong bassline and Nakajima’s honeyed vocals; a precursor to the exploding chorus. ‘Hashire’ emphasises Nakajima’s sweet voice with reverb, tricky guitar lines, intricate effects and a constantly fluctuating tempo. ‘E’ has a very frenzied vibe, adopting the band’s signature angular guitars with arpeggio backing vocals. Erratic describes Tricot’s style perfectly.

Tricot also have a pop-punk sound, which shines on the punch packing ‘Colorless Aquarium,’ ‘kieru,’ and ‘Shoku-taku,’ which has a bit of a Paramore feel about it. Tricot do pop-punk very well, without losing sight of the fundamental elements that make them a math rock band.

Tricot can be fun too. They get rowdy on ‘Niwa,’ adding a little samba into the mix, and ‘Break’ incorporates a Red Hot Chili Peppers style funky bassline. ‘Pieeen’ begins with a tranquil piano solo, then abruptly breaks into dirty guitars and pulsating drums. The bassline is funky too, and the piano kicks in again; becoming more prominent in the song’s second half. ‘Kobe Number’ also has a funky sound, but it’s heavier on the pop while incorporating an ethereal bridge, pounding drums and Nakajima’s sugary, sweet vocals.

‘AND,’ is a natural progression from Tricot’s first album ‘THE’. Tricot have matured as a band and obviously work exceptionally well as a three-piece. ‘AND’ is energetic, spontaneous and interesting; potent math rock wrapped up in a pretty, pop-punk package.