We certainly remember writing about Re:O last summer. The London-based, Japan-coded outfit made quite an impression on us, celebrated by describing them as “a project where Japanese culture and aesthetics are greatly infused with metal and hard-hitting musical flavourings”. We stand by our words: Re:O have the advantage of having this incredibly peculiar and unique identity, a feature that makes them stand out in an otherwise crowded musical landscape. Following up on ‘Crimson Desire’, the group has now returned with their latest effort, the equally striking ‘Reverie’.
Compared to its predecessor, ‘Reverie’ has been written entirely in Japanese, something Re:O hadn’t attempted since 2021. While some might be disappointed with not being able to decode the lyrical matter right away, the song in its current form possesses tons of otherworldly and fervorous character, and to English ears it’s bound to sound even more hypnotic and brooding. That said, the band does tell us what’s in the lyrics, and in that regard, we are in classic Re:O territories.
Exploring the impact of sudden loss and the grief that often comes with it, ‘Reverie’ unearths the specific feeling of having lost someone forever, a haunting, nostalgia-laden state of mind that’s precisely conveyed through the song’s icy and spacious imagery. As Re:O explain: “The fragile snow, even when it piles up, will eventually melt away. In the same way, human connections are breakable and bound to fade. Nonetheless, the memories of those we hold close remain eternal.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Reverie’ now: