REVIEW

The debut EP from Tokyo-based nightmare pop band sadchelsea.

I first encountered sadchelsea through a demo of burning up the hill uploaded to SoundCloud. Its dark shoegaze sound, wrapped in a seductive goth-like mood, immediately captivated me. Their long-awaited debut opens with the waltz-like instrumental #1 “666,” evoking the atmosphere of a horror film and setting the tone for the EP’s dark, nightmarish pop sound. The band combines catchy melodies with a poisonous edge, drawing inspiration from artists such as Tommy heavenly6, Shiina Ringo, Anna Tsuchiya, and ART-SCHOOL, while powering the engine of goth and visual kei aesthetics. The result is like a luminous flower blooming in darkness—beautiful yet dangerous, irresistibly captivating.

A personal favorite, #4 Kyuaidoukouhansha, begins with a smooth lead guitar melody, weaves dreamy arpeggios through the B section, and erupts into a chorus of melancholy. The decadent lyrics and layered instrumentation condense the band’s appeal into a single, striking track. Fans of dream pop and shoegaze will find much to enjoy.

Though the EP’s four tracks are relatively restrained in shoegaze elements, several—including burning up the hill—have only been performed live so far, hinting at more hidden material. Anticipation for their next release is high.