marasy – Piano Monkeys Review

What does marasy sound like?

Bombastic piano composer and arranger of popular Vocaloid and TV theme songs.

The review of ‘Piano Monkeys’ by marasy

Marasy’s 5th album sees the enigmatic pianist and composer release a collection of songs they have produced for Vocaloid covers, radio, TV and commercial tracks. The 17-track release is an hour of virtuoso piano playing and arrangements of some catchy and rousing songs.

One of the best things about marasy’s arrangements is that when other instruments or vocals are removed, marasy manages to incorporate the melodies and tempo into the arrangement. Take ‘Molkomeda’, which is a marasy Vocoloid track. The original is piano, bass, synth, beat and Miku Hatsune vocals that fly by at the speed of light. The ‘Piano Monkeys’ version is stripped back to a grand piano rendition. Everything from the rumbling keys, to the trills and rings of the bridge blasts the listener at a visceral pace.

Pace and heavy hands do not make an elegant piano album alone. Marasy ensures his arrangements never sacrifice melodic power for complexity. Songs like ‘naked promise’ and ‘LovePiano Blossom’ have so much pomp and flair to them, but it is contained within a crystal clear melody. The left hand smashes out chords proudly and the right hand provides a wonderful mixture of classical chops with pop sensibilities.

There are so many highlights across the album. ‘Nagoya Style Running’ is like ragtime meets a mad circus with its rambunctious gusto and darker tones. ‘KAGUYA’ could score a Shinkai anime montage. ‘SnowMix’ and ‘Eighty Eight’ could both close out a Miku Hatsune concert with their dramatic key changes for their euphoric choruses. Very rarely does marasy choose a softer ballad touch to things but the closing track ‘& Piano again’ closes the album so tenderly, it’s like wishing on a star in the night sky.

Fifth time is a charm for marasy. His style is explosive and full of heart and ‘Piano Monkeys’ translates it perfectly from stage to record. It is just marasy and his grand piano – pure and simple. If you need to get a pep in your step and love to hear a grand piano sing from the very depths of its belly – ‘Piano Monkeys’ is a great album to choose.

Recommended track: Eighty Eight

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