Syncopation (シンコペーション)

The biggest disappointment in Metal Resistance is that significant portions of the Babymetal fan base, either the East or the West, missed out on one of two of the best tracks on the album. In From Dusk Till Dawn and Syncopation we have two tracks full of energy and excitement, albeit it in very different ways.

Last week I talked about FDTD's atmosphere and presence and the excitement it created. Syncopation is more traditional in that it builds excitement purely by being a heavy pop-punk stormer. High paced and high energy it ploughs through it's 4:07 min run time with verve and attitude from its young performers. Su-metal in on point with crisp phrasing and her typical warm, inviting tone. Elsewhere Yuimetal and Moametal arguably sound their best on MR during this song, with their vocals in a much more comfortable register and timbre. I can picture all three smiling through a track that carries the fun feeling of many of Babymetal's classic tracks while remaining in keeping with MR's more mature outlook.

Syncopation has more in common with acts like Babymetal favourite Bring Me The Horizon (it's worth noting while researching this article, multiple influences can be seen for the Karate video in BMTH's Throne video, not least the white, flowing figures) and punk group All Time Low. As with any Babymetal track, things are quite as straightforward as that and it takes an Uki Uki Midnight approach to mixing in plenty of synth and EDM break downs that churn the pace, keeping things interesting.

Syncopation takes a slightly more playful and lighter tone than Uki Uki but lyrically they both deal with the idea of swelling with emotion and energy. While Uki Uki deals with charging yourself to party, Syncopation has more of a flavour of the feeling you get once the party is in full swing, "hot heartbeat and urgent impulse". I can imagine them dancing madly around, heads pounding from the movement and the lights as they sing "the beats get so hard that I feel pain. They shake me to burning".

The lyrics hint at deeper meaning also, talking of dreams swirling around their heads, "their rhythm is the syncopation of love". Whatever the ultimately intended meaning, in sound, feel and lyrically this is a perfect spiritual follow up to Uki Uki. It pains me even further that it wasn't included on the Western press of the album as in music's current climate it could have been a perfect single.

With so much sounding so well put together it showcases Babymetal as a group well, albeit not as dramatically and expansively as some other tracks. If picking fault, I would have liked a little more involvement from Yuimetal & Moametal. As mentioned before, this track I think suits their voices so well that it might have been a good one to have let them off the leash a little more vocally. What they do provide however is another example of sing-a-long perfection, as without exception I always find myself mouthing along to their interjected stanzas of "Suki. Kirai. Suki. Kirai. Suki." (I like, dislike, like, dislike, like).

Ultimately, given the track was substituted for From Dusk Till Dawn I wouldn't swap them. I called FDTD Babymetal's best work and I stand by this. Syncopation however has such a level of fun and adrenaline that I do find it a sore one to have missed out on. I could have easily given up Road of Resistance (given its appearance on the first album release over here) and possibly even Meta Taro. That said, although admittedly not my favourite track, it would be a miss as well.

Some, such as That's Not Metal's Beez have pointed out that Metal Resistance is quite a long album, something I wouldn't argue with (though I would argue as to if this has a negative effect) and so to include Syncopation, good as it is, as well as everything else would definitely have been a bit much.

So what are your thoughts? If you're outside Japan, is there a track you'd have swapped to have included Syncopation, and if you're in Japan do you feel you missed out on From Dusk Till Dawn? I look forward to hearing from everyone as always.

Next week see's the first MoiMoi special as we look at GJ! and the irrepressible Moametal.

Until then... See You!

Resistance Review Series:

Part 1 First Wembley, Now The World

Part 2 - Awadama Fever

Part 3 - Yava!

Part 4 - Amore (Su-metal Special)

Part 5 - Meta Taro

Part 6 - From Dusk Till Dawn

26/06/16 - Part 8 - GJ!

03/07/16 - Part 9 - Sis Anger

10/07/16 - Part 10 - No Rain, No Rainbow

17/07/16 - Part 11 - Tales of the Destinies

24/07/16 - Part 12 - The One (All Versions)

Wembley Celebration Series:

Part 1 Babymetal Birth, Babymetal Death

Part 2 Megitsune

Part 3 Gimmie Chocolate

Part 4 iine!

Part 5 Akatsuki

Part 6 Doki Doki Morning

Part 7 Onedari Daisakusen

Part 8 Song 4

Part 9 Uki Uki Midnight

Part 10 Catch Me If You Can

Part 11 Rondo of Nightmare

Part 12 Headbangya

Part 13 Ijime, Dame, Zettai

Part 14 Road of Resistance

Bonus Karate Special