Smile

Sound DNA

• Rock
• Stoner Rock

• heavy
• brooding
• psychedelic

About

Although 2008’s <i>Smile</i> finds the Japanese explorers of heavy doom metal delivering their first album with vocals on every track, that doesn’t mean Boris has given up their love for creating sonic juggernauts. Sure, the opening “Flower, Sun, Rain” plays like a lighter number from Tokyo’s acid-rock luminaries Flower Travelin’ Band, but when those earth-shaking solos come ripping out of your speakers, there’s no mistake that this is Boris. “Laser Beam” and “Statement” throw down a sonic attack rooted in Motor City proto-punk. Although a title like “My Neighbor Satan” might conjure images of a song that sounds like Pentagram, this tune turns out to be the most curious standout of the album. It harkens back to late 1990s drum and bass rhythms as light keyboard touches and minimal guitar leave plenty of room for singing — but then the tune kickstarts with real drums and what sounds like a magic, golden wah-wah pedal forged in heavenly fires by mythological Japanese rock gods.

via Apple Music

Tracklist

Credits