At the moment of writing the guys from G.L.A.M.S are getting ready to start on their next European tour. This time to promote their new release “TWILIGHT AFTER THE RAIN”, the fourth release of the band and the next in line after the release of “EVER-CHANGING” in 2018. The release of the new album is planned for April 18th, but you can actually secure your own copy starting February 27th to March 15th through the merchandise table at their European tour.
Dutch fans of the band definitely won’t be disappointed either: G.L.A.M.S will play at the Popcentrale in Dordrecht on March 13th, together with German ヴィジュアル系 (Visual Kei) inspired band VII ARC and the Dutch band Ex Lives.
Before we start on the review Mikaru himself had some words about the new album too: “The world, places, and characters of the songs are all different. But interestingly, none of them are me. When I listened to these five songs, I could see the scenery of twilight after the rain. That’s how the album title came about.”
Those are some interesting words there. But let’s have a look at the rest of the album…
In Endless Rainfall
(Theme: True freedom)
The album starts off strong with a song that absolutely breathes it’s theme from the very first notes onward. There is a certain sense of freedom and the absence of boundaries throughout the entire song, both in words and in musical notes. Something that could absolutely be used in an anime, at the very least.
“In Endless Rainfall” is a very clear example of why G.L.A.M.S as a group works as solid as it does. Every member has their own qualities, and through Mikaru’s voice every one of those qualities come together in a -in this case- very powerful way, showing confidence and true freedom in it’s purest form.
It should come as no surprise that this song is also one of the music videos made for this album.
Sailing Away
(Theme: Hope for the future)
“Sailing Away” continues the powerful theme, but this time with a bit clearer presence of Tetsuto’s bass guitar throughout the entire song. If you’re familiar with the previous works of G.L.A.M.S this song will not sound unusual to you, it’s very much in their familiar style, at least for the higher-paced songs. Like mentioned earlier already, G.L.A.M.S work very well as a team, giving each member the opportunity to put their best qualities first. In this song that special quality is Yudai’s guitar solo. Albeit short, it absolutely compliments the rest of the high-paced song. While “In Endless Rainfall” was sung in English, Sailing Away is sung in Japanese and English, but the chorus in particular breathes the theme for this song, hope for the future. It’s upbeat, hopeful and uplifting. So it should give -you- hope too.
Tokyo Ginza Blues
(Theme: Love affair between a man and a woman)
Mikaru is no stranger to incorporating new styles, as he already displayed on the previous release “EVER-CHANGING” with the song “Man in Underworld” having a jazzy style and being completely different than the rest of the release because of it. The song with this same formula on this release is “Tokyo Ginza Blues”. It’s a very upbeat and clearly blues-influenced song with a typical Mikaru-style. (If you didn’t believe this man is a very versatile vocalist with many different faces, you’d better believe it now.) This song is absolutely club-worthy and very upbeat. It’s clearly a love song, and the theme of a love affair between a man and a woman doesn’t exactly need that much imagination to come forward here, if you’re familiar with the blues-vibe this song breathes from start to finish.
Unbreakable Chain
(Theme: Lust for love)
While the previous songs have been a high-tempo and upbeat, Unbreakable Chain is everything but. It immediately takes the tempo down and changes the lyrics from Japanese to English (for most of the song). It’s a love song in every possible way, once again worthy of being featured in a movie because of the emotional story being told through the lyrics. There are a lot of sad love songs, but the lust for love theme absolutely comes forward here. If this song doesn’t drag you in, you have probably never experienced heartbreak before. Mikaru absolutely captured the feelings that have to do with this emotion, and managed to turn them into words. Which on it’s own already is more than enough reason for a compliment…
Another Lonely Day
(Theme: Despair and grief)
The last song of the album is also the second music video made for this release. Still keeping the tempo on the ballad-range, “Another Lonely Day” is once again mostly sung in English, as well as a very emotional song that could have been featured in a movie. It’s a beautiful monologue about how the storyteller is still in love with someone who clearly can’t love them in return, bringing forward the theme of despair and grief very clearly.
Conclusion
Mikaru managed to use the skills and qualities of each member of G.L.A.M.S to his advantage, resulting in an amazing release. One filled from start to finish with feelings that pretty much everyone can relate or appeal to. Aside from that the use of the English language in this release is much more prominent, something international fans in particular will really appreciate because it makes it a lot easier for them to understand the lyrics too.
Like always there is one song in the mix which isn’t like the others in the slightest. And for “TWILIGHT AFTER THE RAIN” that song is “Tokyo Ginza Blues”. Because of it’s genre this song too should appeal to a wide audience, because there are multiple genres being used, among which rock and blues. And the fact that there are two ballads on this album which are filled to the brim with emotions should be more than enough reason for your imagination to run freely.
The music videos are the absolute highlights of the differences on this album, but at the moment of writing they are a great preview of what more you can expect. If these songs appealed to you already, the rest of the album definitely will too!
If you are looking for a good rock album “TWILIGHT AFTER THE RAIN” will be a good addition to your collection, but if you have been a long-time fan of the works of G.L.A.M.S this album will definitely not disappoint you either.
Like mentioned earlier you can get the album before the release date: all you have to do is visit one of the European tour dates between February 27th and March 15th!
Release information
Are you interested in supporting the band by getting your own copy of the release? Here is something to get you started:
 | 01. In Endless Rainfall 02. Sailing Away 03. Tokyo Ginza Blues 04. Unbreakable Chain 05. Another Lonely Day |
Artist: G.L.A.M.S
Release: TWILIGHT AFTER THE RAIN (mini-album)
Release date: February 27, 2020 (pre-release during EU tour) / April 18, 2020 (official release)
CD number: N/A
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雪 (Yuki) is the owner and driving force behind Arlequin.
She originally started the project in 2009 as a photographer under the name of Arlequin Photography, but developed an interest in journalism and translation ever since. Because of these interests interviews and reviews were added to the project, until it eventually hit the limits as a "photographer" in 2021, and Arlequin Magazine was added to the mix.
雪 (Yuki) is a native Dutch speaker with a graphic design degree, which means she is also the main person behind Arlequin Creations.
After all these years she is still the main person who does interviews the interviews and live photos that you see on Arlequin, but also a large chunk of the reviews and behind-the-scenes work and communication goes through her.
She speaks Dutch and English on a native level, but also understands Japanese and German.