Optloquat - From The Shallow (CD)

Release Date: 09/03/21

New Japanese band who lean mostly towards the heavier end of shoegaze / RIYL: Flyying Colours, Pinkshinyultrablast

The oddly-named Optloquat are now the fifth Japanese band on the Jigsaw label - and the third Japanese shoegaze band at that! This is the band's first full-length, following a pair of digital EPs from 2018 & 2019, and with production by Makoto Gomi of Zeppet Store, it certainly makes an incredible first impression! Many of these songs lean more towards the heavier end of the shoegaze spectrum, echoing bands like Flyying Colours, Skywave and Pinkshinyultrablast, with the guitars turned up REALLY LOUD. There are more than a couple moments where I hear a distinct Swervedriver influence in the guitar sound or melody style. But then there are songs like 'Lapes' where they turn down the guitars considerably, to reveal a gorgeously dreamy pop hit closer to the sound of Hobbes Fanclub or Eternal Summers. Either way, no matter how they present themselves, it's clear that they definitely write & play some pretty great music...