REVIEW: Imago's ‘Kapit’ is a new and exciting rollercoaster ride
News of the “new” Imago lineup was initially (and quite understandably) met with skepticism. While the band had gone through a couple of changes in its roster years prior, the departure of singer Aia de Leon last year was its most dramatic change yet. After all, what do you do when one of the most powerful singers in the scene leaves your band? Do you call it quits?
In Imago's case, they went back to the drawing board.
Drummer Zach Lucero shifted to guitar, and got old friend and former Sugar Hiccup drummer—no slouch on the skins himself—Mervin Panganiban to take his old spot. Bassist Myrene Academia and guitarist Tim Cacho held the fort. And then there was the curious choice of singer/occasional cosplayer Mayumi Gomez as the new singer.
Gelling
I talked to Imago after the first gig (with the new lineup) in Saguijo, and the band was all gung-ho and excitable. Their new singer was equally excited, but obviously still feeling her way around a bunch of relative veterans.
But when the band launched their new record, “Kapit,” last week at 70s Bistro, they had evidently gelled together into a tight, transmogrified outfit. Like Optimus Prime with augmented Jetfire's arsenal.
“We're gelling even more,” Zach says. “I don't know if it's possible but we're gelling even more.” And it shows.
Most exciting to date
Now on to the material. How does the new record, “Kapit,” hold up?
I dare say it's the band's most exciting record to date. The album shows the band's newfound excitement in their choice of sound, arrangements and material.
Those who weren't fond of “Tara Lets” (like this writer) might end up getting floored by the loud-soft-loud dynamics of the title track, the in-your-face chugging downbeat of “Nakalimutan” and the genuinely sunny feel of “Summer Baby.”
The new sound is classic Imago
Other bands that have undergone drastic lineup changes had to change their sound, but not Imago.
“Then Was Forever,” written by Zach, is classic danceable Imago.
Same with “Malaya,” though there is something very J-Rock about the song, with its unpretentious balls-to-the-wall-yet-comfortable vibe.
Now about that new singer
It is in “Sa Wala” where Mayumi's delicate vocals shine, and she shows a tenderness that's both pained and earnest. Akin to something you would hear in a quiet breakup (and without the theatrics).
It is the gentle approach to her singing that will probably lose some old Imago fans, but will also gain new ones. Mayumi obviously will not exert any effort to imitate her predecessor, being a fan of the band herself; it is also a brilliant move.
The vulnerability of her voice blends with the dynamics of the rest of the band, and they all come out sounding as tighter as ever for it.
For all intents and purposes this new version of Imago is a new band. But this Imago is one that holds on to its most exciting and familiar aspects and throws it in a new and more exciting direction.
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