Review: Dreamcatcher Dystopia: Road to Utopia
When starting the Dreamcatcher Dystopia: Road to Utopia album, we are met with an energized beat that brings in elements of dubstep and dance beats that aren’t often highlighted in music today. The EDM heavy instrumental is exciting and provides a strong build up into the first full length track on the album.
The title track, Odd Eye, is easily catchy and a brilliant introduction for light rock fans. The song provides strong vocal work with clear transitions in the instrumental to integrate rap portions that intersect with the memorable chorus. The song feels simple to learn and learns more into a guitar-based instrumental that bases well to feature the members' individualized talents, without feeling uncanny or forced in.
As the album moves into the third track, the sense of uncanny continues in the strange choice of using a distortion in the beginning of the song, before the intro beat settles and the heavy vocalization of the members begins. The impact is powerful and feels like an introduction to an anime, and the chorus direction emphasizes this with its multilayered pre-chorus and chorus and forced rap addition. Its strongest characteristics are the instrumental that transverses into a strong bridge, which creates intrigue and is a highlight of the entire song. This was the most interesting song in terms of dynamics and experimentation, thus far.
Moving into Poison Love, we receive a shift in sound, into something more beautiful, haunting and somewhat sad. This feels to be the best instrumental, thus far in listening experience, and the transitions are seamless, far less abrupt than in Wind Blows. The hypnotizing build to the bridge allows for a feeling of anticipation, which is never met as the song concludes after its bridge. This ending makes the listener feel unresolved and could garner more play value or continued intrigue in the rest of the album.
4 Memory starts immediately after, feeling similar to a ballad, the instrumental is lighter with more dynamic editing coming later into the song. It feels surprising, but light and rap fits well into that context, matching the song while also not feeling weak or forced. The pre-chorus into the chorus are highlights in the song, with the catchy lyrics and music. The bridge once again brings back a stripped feeling in the song, and the song ends in what feels to be a more traditional pop sound.
New Days is the last track on the album and it feels as though a band should perform it. Again we are brought back to that Jpop Anime introduction sound, fast-paced and abrupt with its pauses, almost as if a spot for someone to catch their breath. The rap portion enters earlier in the song, not feeling forced as the song creates more intermingled moments of rap and vocal than done in previous tracks. The ending is also abrupt, almost teasing fans into listening for more or starting the album once more.
The album concludes on the instrumental of their title track, Odd Eye. The song itself is beautiful, but the mix is also innovative and interesting. It entices the listener to listen to the title track once again, and showcases elements often hidden behind the rap and vocals in the performed version.
The entire Dystopia: Road to Utopia album is a must listen to fans of EDM and light rock. The song mixes these two elements well, while also integrating different techniques and sound explorations. From a touch into anime intros to ballads, this album is another well produced and performed album from Dreamcatcher.
