Hakushi Hasegawa has unveiled their first full album in nearly four years and eight months, “Mahōgakkō,” on July 24 (Wednesday).
This release marks their debut album under the American label Brainfeeder and has garnered significant attention. The album embodies “music of the extraordinary,” blending confusion, fear, and pleasure into a chaotic alchemical creation. With *Magic School*, Hasegawa Hakushi takes listeners on a journey beyond the conventional bounds of pop music.
The review is by Hiroto Matsushima (NordOst), a DJ and writer with deep expertise in the electronic music scene.
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Unleashing Chaos, Fear, and Ecstasy: Hasegawa’s First Full Album in Nearly 4 Years and 8 Months
The first experience with the album was eye-opening. As it neared the end, an unexpected synthetic voice announced “Catch me if you can,” delivering a jolt of shock. Though it was unsettling, finishing the final track brought a smile to their face. They had been thoroughly enchanted by the magic of Hasegawa Hakushi’s Magic School.
The phrase “Catch me if you can,” also the title of a film, appears to be quite common in English-speaking countries, akin to the Japanese game phrase “鬼さんこちら” (“Here, Tagger”). This game is a playful challenge, inviting, “If you can catch me, go ahead and try.” Similarly, Magic School, their first full album in nearly 4 years and 8 months, is filled with innocent mischief, capturing listeners and delighting them with its chaotic charm and pleasure.
For instance, listening to the first three tracks or the sixth track, “KYŌFUNOHOSHI,” you’ll notice the BPM is incredibly fast. However, this speed creates a sense of urgency and confusion rather than the exhilarating rush of hardcore techno. It evokes emotions closer to disarray and anxiety.
The diverse and ever-shifting rhythmic patterns in the work seem almost danceable yet remain elusive, creating a sense of physicality different from the brain dance genre. Despite the seemingly undanceable sounds, one finds themselves moving to the rhythm unknowingly. It’s incredibly magical. The 2020s saw the rise of hyperpop, which rapidly transformed pop music norms, but this work feels like an unexpected hit from a completely different direction. No matter how many times it’s listened to, it’s impossible to grasp how it all came together.
