Album Review: Fujiya & Miyagi – Slight Variations

Funky and fun alternative dance music 

Alternative electronic dance music group Fujiya & Miyagi have released a new album: Slight Variations. The album is full of energetic beats and sounds and is extremely danceable.

The first song on the album is the title track, “Slight Variations.” This funky song is drenched in disco, with layered vocals that are distorted to just the right tinge. A four-on-the-floor beat is paired with a fast-paced bass synth ostinato and guitar. “Non-Essential Worker” is next up on the album, and is a dance-y, rock-pop-influenced song. The harmonies of this instrumental piece ring with hopefulness. An interesting addition to this song is the guitar solo that comes in around 1:22. 

A little way down the album is “Digital Hangover.” The lyrics are about a “brain freeze” after presumably being on social media too long. Musically, the song is definitely an example of alternative dance. After “Digital Hangover” is “FAQ.” The lyrics of this song seem to allude to the “frequently asked questions” of life, like whether we are enough. The music is slow and full of uncertainty and longing. 

On a slightly more upbeat note, the next song up is “Olympian Heights.” This song is full of optimistic energy, a contrast from the last song. The lyrics are an encouragement to keep one’s head up and “take a deep breath.” Next is “Oops,” which has a more house/lounge-style theme to it than the rest of the album. The colors of the music are darker and more laid-back than the rest of the album. Last on the album is a song called “Feeling the Effects.” It is a song about “still feeling the effects of Saturday night,” and seems to be a song about getting jaded from partying. The song is relatively slow, but has elements of disco and funk in it as well. 

This is a really fun, light-hearted album that could be fun to listen to in the car during a commute, while relaxing at home, studying, or just for fun. 

Madeleine Thezan: Hi! :) My name is Madeleine Thezan, and I'm a Junior at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. I am a Psychology major and a Music Composition minor, a songwriter and yoga lover. In my spare time I love to read, learn languages, and enjoy nature with my family and friends.
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