On the floor, Waltz is Ryugujo’s first anime theme — an necessary milestone for any J-pop group. Nevertheless, the track is significant in different methods as nicely. It’s been introduced that this would be the remaining Ryugujo track written by their producer and mentor Avu-chan. This information elicited and honest-to-god gasp from me after I learn it. It’s laborious to think about what Ryugujo are with out Avu-chan’s pen. Their work up to now has been tied carefully to this sound and has made them extremely distinctive. Can they maintain this idiosyncrasy going ahead? Or, will they push additional into the mainstream?

Whereas we await that reply, now we have the darkish and emotional Waltz. This track feels very very similar to a farewell of kinds, and the dance-themed idea is sensible. This debut section of Ryugujo began with a Rondo and ends with a Waltz. As ever with this group, the track improves once you see its accompanying visible and the way in which through which the blokes categorical the music. Waltz is definitely not some catchy pop bauble, but it surely unfolds with a dramatic weight that’s laborious to look away from.

The members’ distinctive tones are put entrance and middle with minimal manufacturing. The verses are sparse and haunting and simply tough sufficient across the edges to change into fairly affecting. This works nicely to arrange the layered, theatrical refrain. The track performs with distinction all through, usually pulling its punches proper earlier than delivering a knockout. In the case of Ryugujo’s wonderful catalog, that is unlikely to ever be the track I rush towards first, however its searing, uncooked sound seems like an important piece of their musical journey.

Grade: B