Album Review: 本多マミ by Harem Noise Wall
Alright, let’s talk about this wild ride of an album, 本多マミ by Harem Noise Wall. Released in 2019, it’s one of those records that doesn’t just sit in the background—it grabs you by the ears and shakes you around a bit. The genre is electronic, but don’t think chill beats or coffee shop vibes. We’re diving into techno, rhythmic noise, and harsh noise wall territory here. It’s abrasive, intense, and honestly? Kinda perfect.
First off, the title track, “本多マミ,” hits hard right outta the gate. If you’re not ready for it, it might feel like someone cranked up a blender full of nails while blasting a drum machine on steroids. But once you settle into its chaos, there’s something oddly hypnotic about it. The layers build and collapse over each other, creating this weird sense of order within disorder. Like… imagine being stuck in a crowded subway station where everyone’s walking at different speeds, but somehow, it all makes sense. That’s “本多マミ” for ya. You won’t forget it anytime soon because it’s equal parts headache-inducing and head-bob-worthy.
Another standout (though really, every track has its own flavor) is… well, okay, fine, I’ll admit I didn’t catch the names of most tracks beyond the title one. But hey, there’s this moment around halfway through the album—maybe Track 3?—where things shift from straight-up noise assault to this almost danceable rhythm. For a second, you think, “Wait, can I actually move to this?” And then BAM, it slams back into pure sonic destruction. Love that kinda unpredictability. Feels like the album’s messing with you, daring you to keep listening.
What sticks with me most about 本多マミ is how unapologetically raw it feels. There’s no sugarcoating here, no attempt to soften the edges. This isn’t music made to please crowds; it’s music made to challenge them. Self-released under their own label, Harem Noise Wall clearly didn’t care about fitting into any box or appealing to mainstream tastes. And honestly? Respect.
To wrap this up, if you’re looking for easy listening, this ain’t it. But if you’re in the mood to have your brain rewired for 40 minutes, give 本多マミ a spin. Just maybe warn your neighbors first. Oh, and fun fact: despite the US origin, the whole thing screams “cyberpunk dystopia set in Tokyo.” No clue if that was intentional, but now I kinda wanna see what a visualizer for this album would look like. Maybe glitchy anime visuals? Someone make that happen, please.
