tricot

Tricot sounds like a clock being taken apart and reassembled in real-time by people who are having way too much fun. It is music defined by a beautiful tension: the instrumentation is cold, surgical, and rhythmically punishing, yet the vocals are warm, emotive, and undeniably catchy. They occupy a space where the cerebral complexity of math rock meets the visceral energy of a basement punk show, all wrapped in a glossy J-pop sheen that makes the odd time signatures feel like natural dance steps.

What truly sets them apart is their refusal to let the technicality overshadow the songcraft. While many math rock bands get lost in the weeds of their own complexity, Tricot uses those jagged rhythms as a foundation for genuine emotional release. The guitars of Motifour and Ikkyu weave around each other like a game of tag, while Hirohiro’s bass provides a melodic, driving force that is often as prominent as the lead vocals. It is music that demands your full attention but rewards you with infectious grooves.

For the uninitiated, their 2017 album '3' is the perfect entry point. It captures the band at their most cohesive, balancing their experimental tendencies with some of their most memorable songwriting. If you want to hear what happens when technical mastery meets pure pop instinct, start with the track 'Melon Soda' or the frantic 'DeDeDe.'