Sleeping Pink Noise

The sound is novel, but there is an aspect of excessive complexity. The frantic time signatures and pitch are Iyowa's unique strengths, but in this album, it feels like the artist lacked the experimental answers needed to resolve that chaos.

An album where Iyowa's distinct color shines through very strongly, feeling quite raw compared to later releases. Even though all the tracks sound somewhat similar as they are fundamentally built on chaotic rhythms and piano, it was enjoyable to listen through to the end thanks to the overwhelming melodic lines and dopamine-inducing moments placed in just the right spots. In particular, it is safe to say that this album features the finest album-exclusive tracks among Iyowa's discography, and the closing track, 'Angel Care', was an impactful song that ranks among the best in Iyowa's career.

There is definitely a distinct color unique to Iyowa. I want to look positively upon their adventurous attitude at the time, taking on mixed reactions while creating packed audio and a unique atmosphere. However, perhaps because it is a debut album, it felt like a set of similar tracks consisting only of "dissonance + esoteric structure + rushing keyboard sounds." While it was likely intentional, it seemed a bit difficult for listeners to enjoy over the long term. I generally hold the view that the sound must first provide a stable foundation for the lyrics to be conveyed effectively. While I really love the lyrics Iyowa writes, this album felt somewhat lacking in terms of message delivery. Seeming aware of this, Iyowa gradually began to change starting from the next album, "My Heritage," and started using a higher-quality DAW. Thanks to that, they have made significant progress sound-wise from that point up to the present.