REVIEW

101A is a Tokyo-based rock band consisting of noah (vocals/guitar), the k (bass), and Sally (drums). With a career spanning over two decades, the trio has built a formidable reputation through overseas tours and a notable appearance at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ’06. Their latest release, “killing dress,” arrives in a distinctive format they call a “Not Album,” positioned somewhere between a full-length and an EP.

What defines 101A is their ability to fuse an exceptionally wide range of influences—gothic, industrial, metal, grunge, shoegaze, post-rock, progressive rock, and folk—into a consistently dark and decadent aesthetic. The jewel-like shimmer and ethereal vocals recall Cocteau Twins, the ritualistic darkness evokes Dead Can Dance, while their venomous rock moments hint at Bauhaus. Yet these references function less as homage and more as points of departure, as the band maintains a singular, uncompromising sense of beauty throughout the record.

The opening track, “Jukai” (sea of trees), sets the tone with sharp, driving rhythms intertwined with ghostly vocals, immediately pulling the listener into the album’s shadowed world. “bark” follows, where a pulsating bassline and emotionally charged singing paint a poisonous yet strangely elegant landscape. On “Laura,” the band drifts into mystical dream pop reminiscent of early Love Spirals Downwards, with noah’s fragile vocal delivery carrying a deeply affecting sense of melancholy.

“midnight lunch” introduces an uneasy melody supported by Sally’s intricate drumming, achieving a delicate balance between tension and flow. The title track “killing dress” unleashes a surge of distorted guitars at full force, before the journey concludes with “field,” a requiem-like piece whose gentle melody brings a sense of quiet release.

killing dress stands as both a culmination of 101A’s long career and a work that suggests further evolution ahead. It is a compelling recommendation for anyone drawn to music that embraces darkness, beauty, and emotional depth in equal measure.