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Bucchigiri Tokyo
EP by Hanabie.
Released	December 4, 2024 (2024-12-04)
Genre	Metalcore electronicore
Length	17:41
Language	Japanese
Label	Epic Records Japan
Hanabie. chronology
Reborn Superstar! (2023) Bucchigiri Tokyo (2024)

Bucchigiri Tokyo (Japanese: ぶっちぎり東京, Hepburn: Bucchigiri Tokyo) is the second extended play by Japanese metalcore band Hanabie, released on December 4, 2024 by Epic Records Japan, a subsidiary of Sony Music Japan. It is the first record the band co-wrote with their current drummer Chika, who had joined during the latter stages of production of their previous release Reborn Superstar!. The EP entered Billboard Japan's weekly album charts at #33 and peaked at #3 on Oricon's weekly rock album chart. The fifth track from the album Ito Okashi My Type ranked #1 on The Kerrang Chart.

Background

On August 7th, 2024, Hanabie released Metamorphose! as a digital single. A new EP named Bucchigiri Tokyo was announced on the same day along with an accompanying national tour. In November of the same year the track list and the album cover designed by digital artist PONKO were revealed. Two of the six tracks on the EP were previously released as singles.

Writing and composition

Both music and lyrics of all tracks on the EP were written by Yukina and Matsuri, with the exception of track 6 which was solely written by Matsuri. The EP is centered around the theme of returning to the roots. The inclusion of the word "Tokyo" in the title is a reference to the band's origins in the city.

Tracks 1–3

The title track Bucchigiri Tokyo opens with a punk inspired riff. According to an interview published in Billboard Japan, Matsuri composed the music for the song after watching a Green Day performance at a European music festival. The second track Metamorphose! in lyrically based on the idea of superheroes and was influenced by the anime Purikyua, specifically “the cuteness and powerfulness” of the show, which Yukina watched as a child.

The third track OTAKU Lovely Densetsu combines the band's erratic metalcore style, with EDM samples and pop sensibilities. lyrically themed around Japanese otaku sub-culture. In an interview with Revolver Yukina while describing the song stated " I wanted to write a song to express my gratitude to all the fans, staff, and bands that I met and played with on our world tour, and to express what I felt on the tour. One of the things I felt was 'Japanese culture, such as anime and video games, is truly loved'! We love Japanese culture, but not only about Japanese culture, this is a chaotic and Harajuku-core-like song that makes you think it’s cool to be faithful and straight up to what you like."

Tracks 4–6

This is a song that goes back to our roots. I didn't add any decorations such as synths, I didn't ask for an arranger, and I made it with just the members. In 2018, we released our first EP called "Cherry Blossoms are Blooming", and we wanted it to be a song that would stick with people who liked songs from that era.

The 4th track Gambler is about Hanabie's early days as an independent band in the Tokyo underground scene when they performed at venues like Shinjuku Antiknock. The band members in an Ototoy Japan interview, explained that, as struggling musician in a rock band they felt like "gamblers' as they faced an uncertain future. After graduating from high school the band members were unsure about continuing as a band. While talking about the song to Kerrang! Magazine about the song, Yukina stated " Doing a band is like a gamble, especially right out of high school or college… We had many, many paths we could choose, like having a job, or continuing with the band, and we bet everything on this band." In a separate interview to Billboard Japan Matsuri said that they want to make the music of the song closer to the band's early sound.

The 5th track Ito Okashi My Type is about people who get obsessed with modern trends like online personality tests. The 6th track Bonus Guilty Time is the first song by the band to feature Chika on vocals. Matsuri wanted to do a song similar to I Am the Most Powerful Invader Girl in the Universe from Reborn Superstar! but due to Chika's hesitation to sing she asked her to rap instead. While recording, Chika pointed out that her vocals were a bit rhythmically off and asked if they should re-record it, but Matsuri decided to keep it as she felt these imperfections gave the song a unique personality.

Critical reception

Bucchigiri Tokyo received positive critical reviews upon release. According to JRock News "Overall, Bucchigiri Tokyo marks a noticeable yet subtle step toward maturity in HANABIE.’s sound. While the shift isn’t drastic, this evolution gives the music a greater sense of cohesion while still delivering the playful, high-energy vibe that has made HANABIE. so beloved.". Amped Magazine remarked "Bucchigiri Tokyo, marks an exciting evolution, delivering relentless heaviness, soaring clean vocals, and dynamic synths that push their sound to bold new heights.".

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Yukina, Matsuri; all music is composed by Matsuri, Yukina except where noted.

Personnel

Hanabie.

• Yukina – harsh vocal, clean vocals
• Matsuri – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, clean vocals
• Hettsu – bass guitar, clean vocals
• Chika – drums

Charts

References

1. "Japanese metallers HANABIE drop new EP and 'Ito Okashi My Type' video". Metal Planet Music. December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
2. "HANABIE. – Bucchigiri Tokyo (Sony Music) | Dead Rhetoric". deadrhetoric.com. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
3. "＜インタビュー＞花冷え。 【ロラパルーザ】出演、世界を飛び回る4人が今見つめるもの――"原点回帰"を掲げた最新EP『ぶっちぎり東京』 | Special". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved December 12, 2024.
4. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums | Charts". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved December 11, 2024.
5. ^ "オリコン週間 ROCKアルバムランキング 2024年12月02日～2024年12月08日". ORICON NEWS (in Japanese). Retrieved December 11, 2024.
6. "The Kerrang! Chart: The best new music this week". Kerrang!. December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
7. Tunes, Toky (August 7, 2024). "Hanabie. , their first EP since their major debut, "Bucchigiri Tokyo," will be released on December 4th! They have also announced a national tour visiting five cities!". Toky Tunes. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
8. 日刊エンタメクリップ (November 4, 2024). "Hanabie. has revealed the track list and cover image of their EP "Bucchigiri Tokyo" to be released on December 12th (Wednesday)!". 日刊エンタメクリップ. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
9. Department, Gekirock Editorial. "花冷え。、ジャパン・カルチャー詰め込んだEP『ぶっちぎり東京』リード曲「いとをかしMyType」MVを本日12/4 21時公開！20時からはEP発売記念YouTube生配信！". 激ロックニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved December 12, 2024.
10. ^ "Hanabie.: "We had many paths we could choose, and we bet everything…". Kerrang!. December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
11. "＜インタビュー＞花冷え。 【ロラパルーザ】出演、世界を飛び回る4人が今見つめるもの――"原点回帰"を掲げた最新EP『ぶっちぎり東京』 | Special". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved December 11, 2024.
12. khwritingaus (December 4, 2024). "Hanabie. - Bucchigiri Tokyo (EP Review)". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
13. "Watch the video for Hanabie.'s whirlwind new single OTAKU Lovely…". Kerrang!. January 26, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
14. Staff, Revolver. "See "Harajuku-core" upstarts HANABIE's wild new video for "OTAKU Lovely Densetsu"". Revolver. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
15. "＜インタビュー＞花冷え。 【ロラパルーザ】出演、世界を飛び回る4人が今見つめるもの――"原点回帰"を掲げた最新EP『ぶっちぎり東京』 | Special". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved December 12, 2024.
16. ^ "花冷え。が世界に魅せる"Kawaiiハードコア"──『ぶっちぎり東京』に込めたジャパン・カルチャーとは!?". ototoy.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved December 12, 2024.
17. "＜インタビュー＞花冷え。 【ロラパルーザ】出演、世界を飛び回る4人が今見つめるもの――"原点回帰"を掲げた最新EP『ぶっちぎり東京』 | Special". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved December 12, 2024.
18. "＜インタビュー＞花冷え。 【ロラパルーザ】出演、世界を飛び回る4人が今見つめるもの――"原点回帰"を掲げた最新EP『ぶっちぎり東京』 | Special". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved December 12, 2024.
19. NBT (December 4, 2024). "Review: HANABIE.'s unapologetically fierce EP "Bucchigiri Tokyo"". JROCK NEWS. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
20. "Hanabie., Bucchigiri Tokyo | EP Review". AMPED MAGAZINE UK. December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
21. "2024年12月02日～2024年12月08日 オリコン週間 アルバムランキング 31～40位". ORICON NEWS (in Japanese). Retrieved December 11, 2024.

• 2024 EPs
• Hanabie. albums
• Japanese-language EPs
• Sony Music Entertainment Japan EPs