REVIEW

The third EP from Tokyo shoegaze band Fakelotus.

Fakelotus began in August 2020 as a solo project by Yoka Suzuki, before evolving into a four-piece band in May 2023. Drawing from a wide range of influences—including new wave, grunge, emo, and shoegaze—the project has developed a sound that embraces the lyrical sensibility of Japanese songwriting.

In “Helldrowning,” the band pushes the sound into a heavier, more melancholic territory. As suggested by “drowning,” an introspective sensibility permeates the record from start to finish, with an unease that subtly seeps through its underlying beauty, casting deep shadows across each track. While the dense guitar work recalls elements of heavier strains of shoegaze from abroad, Fakelotus maintains a careful balance that preserves the emotional clarity of its Japanese lyrics, which remains central to its identity.

The production has also evolved significantly, alongside a marked improvement in vocal expression—particularly in the clarity and beauty of the upper register. As if lifting fragile, near-fractured emotions from within the mix, the vocals maintain a distinct presence even amid the overwhelming wall of sound.

The lyrics merit close attention, unfolding across a continuum of reincarnation, loss, regret, and emotional spirals that loop through cycles of suffering and reflection. In #2 “Rinne,” the mirrored repetition of “The exit you’ll find out. / The exit she found out.” reinforces this sense of structural duality, while #3 “Haunting the light yume” extends the same conceptual thread through its carefully constructed phrasing, aligning language itself with the EP’s broader framework.

Once the songs settle in, revisiting the lyrics reveals additional depth. This is a record that quietly accompanies listeners through nights weighed down by inescapable sorrow. It should also resonate with fans of melancholic Japanese rock such as ART-SCHOOL, Plastic Tree, syrup16g, and The Novembers.

Although live activity has been dormant since June 2024, renewed momentum around this release raises expectations for future performances. Updates can be followed via Fakelotus on X.