Lyric

"Earth is done for..." begins the 1st album of the trio band Xiloro. Originally released in 2016, what you hear now is the 2024 remastered version.

Mokine, the band's guitarist and songwriter, also leads the game development group Chloro and gained recognition as an indie game creator with "2236 A.D." released in 2015. Mokine had written some of the BGM for "2236 A.D.," highlighting his musical prowess. This album from Xiloro was highly anticipated as his full-fledged music project, now enhanced by Mokine's extensive remastering and remixing, providing a clearer sound eight years post-release.

The album features 13 tracks primarily composed of sharp, fast-paced hard rock. It diversifies with grungy guitar sounds and dreamy shoegaze, keeping listeners engaged. While Japanese anime and game cultures often resonate with hard rock, Xiloro's style is subtler, akin to 'soft metal' or 'somewhat stiff hard rock,' revealing the band's pop leanings. Melty's versatile vocals, which effortlessly convey both innocence and emotional depth, are central to the band's identity, enriching the varied musical expressions.

Mokine is the main arranger, with Ichise handling lyrics and composition, and Melty writing lyrics. This division prevents the album from scattering too broadly, maintaining a coherence with its first-person narratives that are reminiscent of an anthology of short personal stories. Each track features different protagonists, with the trio of lyricists weaving tales about personal 'yous' and landscapes, deeply engaging the listener's emotions.

"Neverlasting" opens the album with intense guitar riffs and introspective lyrics, hinting at the absurdity and irony of romantic fate with the line "Before the red thread is cut." The album explores themes of yearning and relational turmoil vividly. "Two of Earth" uses unusual Japanese words to create a sci-fi feel, while "Minty Infinity" is a dynamic track with a heavy, fast-paced J-POP structure.

"Ogino No Sei (Ogino's Fault)" features all-English lyrics over an unusual rhythm, and "Roll Out Push" resembles a jam session with nonsensical words. "Remined" stands out with a guitar solo creating a dreamy, trippy soundscape. "Wombat" involves nonsensical wordplay and a solo a cappella chorus by Melty, one of the album's highlights.

"Lake" and "Hoshi No Kuni (The Stellar Dominion)" offer expansive vocals and narrative-style singing that calms the listener, with lyrics often referencing outer space, suggesting a continuation from previous themes. "Stem" shows off an active bass line and beautiful guitar work, with the protagonist appearing resigned but at peace. "Hyperbola," the climax, aligns words, arrangements, and vocals to portray intense yearning, while "Tokei (Clock)" introduces a piercing guitar amid lyrics conveying strong self-blame.
"Rewind" ends the album on a reflective note, with sophisticated chorus work and a guitar arpeggio that fades like a dream.

As an Easter egg, this album extends the universe of "Alice's Alternative World," conceived at Chloro, potentially hinting at the game's content. Listening to this album while imagining the story of Alice's Alternative World could also be enjoyable, offering various ways to engage with this unique album. I recommend setting aside 55 minutes to fully appreciate the 13 tracks through listening.