A blend of industrial tones, haunting vocals, and emotional weight—UZU’s Ichi unfolds as a slow-burning experience. But does its atmosphere and sound fully carry the album from start to finish?
The EP’s Sound:
The album starts off with a quiet instrumental and expands into good sounds from the artist throughout. Even though at times the songs tend to drag, the vocals remain strong across the tracks. The band reminds me of earlier industrial rock sounds from the ’90s, with a mix of low, slow vocals backed by real instruments and electronic beats.
Throughout the album, the sound moves in waves—from a slow-burning atmosphere to a faster pace of industrial noise, then back to a more calming effect through the singer’s vocals. I enjoyed the music overall, and while it starts slow, it eventually flows into its own rhythm.
Tone of the Album:
It’s a slow-burning album with some surprising standout tracks that shift between slower and more upbeat sounds. There are elements that feel similar to Alice in Chains, mixed with an early Depeche Mode influence throughout some of the tracks.
The tone can feel foreboding at times, with instrumental breaks placed in between to separate and reset the mood of the album.
Theme of the Album:
The theme of the album centers around depression and suggested mental illness themes. The song titles fit well with this direction, and the sound remains consistent throughout the album.
It ends in a quiet silence, which actually works well with the overall theme. I personally enjoy music that explores mental health, as it can create a sense of connection or understanding for the listener.
My Final Thoughts:
It’s a slow-burning album, and it’s clear that a lot of effort went into creating it. I definitely respect the band for that. The mental health themes were strong, but at times I felt the vocals borrowed too much from other artists instead of focusing fully on their own unique style.
I did enjoy the final tracks the most, as they brought a slightly different vibe to the album. The instrumentals were also a strong point and added a lot to the overall listening experience.
I would listen to more of their music. If you enjoy a blend of Depeche Mode and Alice in Chains, along with early ’90s industrial sounds, this band may be for you. I would recommend this album to a specific audience, especially fans of goth and industrial music from that era.
For me, it was a pleasant listen, though it still needs some refinement. Overall, it’s a solid album with clear potential.
Gothic Bite Magazine 