Not Secured, Loose Ends is a Japanese alternative idol group, with metalcore, hardcore, and electronic themes. Their latest album, BrightDark is a collection of rerecorded songs from their discography with the new-ish lineup.

Not Secured, Loose Ends is the English name of the Japanese alternative J-pop group ゆくえしれずつれづれ (Yukueshirezutsurezure), currently consisting of four member. Original member, まれ・A・小町 (Mare A Komachi), and three relatively recent additions, メイユイメイ (Mei Yui Mei), 个喆 (Kotetsu), and たかりたから (Takari Takara). Their sound can be described as metalcore mixed with electronic music. Since they are technically the sister group of ぜんぶ君のせいだ (Zenbu Kimi no Sei da), they have often been called a “Yami-Kawaii” (sick cute), although that is debatable.

BrightDark begins with a song that is suspiciously similar to another song the group has released, Six Fall Roar, but on this album is oddly named Ninth Fall Roar. With the exception of the voices being slightly different, this song sounds no different than Six Fall Roar. Regardless, this is an excellent song to start the album with. It perfectly showcases the wide range of styles Not Secured, Loose Ends can produce.

The album continues with their self-titled song (named different things depending on the region). This song sides more on their heavier sounding side. With a strong focus melody, incorporated with heavy guitar riffs, and what could almost be called a breakdown, something the group does rarely.

The album continues with a number of the group’s hits all rerecorded. The songs include both recordings of the new member’s voices, as well as, a rerecording of the background music. In case people aren’t aware, the girls in the group do not write the music, lyrics, or play the instruments. They just sing, dance, and give it their all on stage. Sometimes when they perform the songs live, the group is accompanied by a band, but mostly they are not. So the recorded versions of these songs are treat because it allows the listener to fully appreciate the hard work that went into creating the accompanying music. For the majority of the songs, the lyrics are written by GESSHI類 and the composer is syva.

Mei YuI Mei has learned a lot from American music, as evidenced by her Twitter posts where she sings along with Emmure and other metalcore/deathcore bands.

Some of the stand outs on this album worth a listen are Plays with Nietzsche, a song with undoubtedly the most confusing lyrics. It constantly switches between English and Japanese and none of it really makes sense. The song is fast-paced and chaotic in nature. Following that is possibly their most melodic song, Ideology that almost focuses more on the music than the vocals. The guitar rift in the beginning of the song, that is present in one form or another throughout the album, is well written and performed. It really intensifies parts of the song.

Phantom Kiss is sans Chris Fronzak of Attila, unfortunately, but still great nonetheless. Originally the song had some parts performed by the singer of American band Attila, but this rerecorded version has Mei Yui Mei (probably, it sounds like her, but it is hard to tell) doing Fronzak’s parts instead. Fronzak’s part was sung completely in English, so it is obvious that her accent comes through when she attempts his part. In addition, this song contains some new singing parts that the previous version did not have. Overall, this version is much better than the original song.

A lot of the harsher vocals heard across the many songs on the album are sung by each member of the group, but the greatest amount of harsher vocals, and probably the best, are done by Mei Yui Mei. She has a lot of emotion in her voice, almost to a fault. The way she weaves her voice around the background chords is fantastic, and something the other girls could learn from. Mei YuI Mei has learned a lot from American music, as evidenced by her Twitter posts where she sings along with Emmure and other metalcore/deathcore bands. After the graduation of ◎屋しだれ (Futamaruya Shidare), who was the group’s best harsh vocalist, Mei Yui Mei really stepped up to fill in that vacant role.

BrightDark does contain Not Secured, Loose Ends’ most confusing song, つれづれ賛歌 (Tsureduresanka). It’s a song that is so far removed from their style, and really any genre. It is its own song that really shows the capability of the group’s overall potential to be their own thing. They don’t have to be held down by the constraints of any genre (although, alternative idol never had that philosophy to begin with). Tsureduresanka is a fast-paced song that contains many breaks, singing, talking, and an overall chaotic sound. It’s one that is hard to explain and can only really be understood once listened to.

Listening to Doppelgänger, you almost forget that this artist is a J-pop group.

Rounding out the last half of the album, there are a few great songs left. Including Doppelgänger, quite possibly the best song the album. This album is missing their overall best song, Karmaloop (coming in DarkBright, the follow up to BrightDark, releasing early next year), but Doppelganger is a sufficient substitute. Doppelganger (and even more so Karmaloop) is the closest this group will every get to sounding anything like a real band. Listening to Doppelgänger, you almost forget that this artist is a J-pop group. All the normal conventions associated with the genre are thrown out the window. This song contains excellent pacing, a fantastic breakdown, and a part that only be described as almost drowning. Right around the middle of the song, they barrage the listener with harsh vocals and heavy guitars, only for it be broken up with a sweet melodic part (in both singing and musically) then they hit once again with a set of harsh vocals over possibly their best crafted music. Doppelgänger is everything a person could want in a song by them.

The album ends with a version of their first song they ever released, 凶葬诗壱鸣り (Kyousoukaichinari). This song was first released all the way back in 2015, and was featuring sister group, Zenbu Kimi no Sei da. This version is sadly missing their sister group, but each member picks up their missing roles perfectly. This song really plays on their mysterious nature. Sounding sweet and innocent during the verse, but unleashing a full onslaught of brutality during the chorus. It’s a song in two halves, with the juxtaposition being so polar that it really throws the listener for a loop.

While there has been a ton of praise said, there are some songs on the album that are generally skipped. Mostly due to their boring nature. Such as, MISS SINS, Gaga, Shinjuku Cinema Connection. These aren’t bad songs, they just don’t really follow the genre of the other songs and ultimately feel out of place.

Overall, BrightDark despite being an album release with no new music (Ninth Fall Roar, sadly, doesn’t count), is an excellent album for both new listeners, longtime fans, and everyone in between. It’s a compilation of some their best songs, performed and mastered well.

You can find all of their music on Spotify, iTunes, and Google Music. You can purchase most of their music on Amazon Japan (they offer international shipping on most albums, BrightDark being one of them). If you’re really dedicated, you can see a majority of their live shows on their international fan site, mufan.jp. Follow them on Twitter at @yukuetsurezure.