Haircuts for Men present us with a fantastic vaporwave album called (in English) “Down tumble and die” (apologies for the Google Translate but Japanese it’s not a language I know) which, I must say, it’s a delight for creative work such as designing, writing, painting, sculpting or any other activity which require most of your focus and attention.
Initially, I thought this was a vaporwave band, DJ or music producer but it turns out that Haircuts for Men it’s (so far) the kind of anonymous music curator that compiles great music collections (from other artists) and put them together in such a way that you feel “This makes perfect sense the way it’s arranged”
Listen to Haircuts for Men album on Youtube
Listen to Haircuts for Men in Bandamp
About the album
Vaporwave Aesthetic
One of the things that I like the most is the classic vaporwave aesthetic chosen for the album covers. It’s a combination of Greek and Egyptian sculpture arrangement (very symbolic) for the artwork. One of the pillars of vaporware design is the Greek sculptures, in fact, the most iconic vaporware aesthetic image it’s the head of the famous David (by Michelangelo)
As for the general look n feel, it reminds me of the 80s and 90s CD covers or even a hella dope cassette inner deco based on how the information it’s displayed. Cool elements like this logo (BEDLAM_40) combining a Greek-type column with a cassette:
Tracklist
These are the songs you can find in the album, we included also the time markers to help you identify each song:
| # | Song Name (Haircuts for Men) | Time-mark |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 空き家 | 00:00 |
| 2 | 呪われた思い出 | 05:31 |
| 3 | 戦争忘れ | 10:09 |
| 4 | 彼はそれを取りました | 14:20 |
| 5 | ヘイズバズ (r e m a d e series) | 19:18 |
| 6 | 人生の半分 | 25:13 |
| 7 | いくぶんまだ生きている | 29:39 |
| 8 | 手紙, は保つ | 33:19 |
| 9 | 通りのバンバン | 38:31 |
| 10 | 夜の愛情 | 42:56 |
| 11 | 間違って見える | 46:56 |
| 12 | 離散的に囁く | 53:11 |
Music featured in this album
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Song | Undersea |
| Artist | Alex Picciafuochi |
| Album | Alex Picciafuochi Ibiza Cocktail Lounge |
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Song | Leaving Home (feat. GuitaRagi) [Elegant Gypsy Mix Remastered] |
| Artist | Balearic Lounge Boyz |
| Album | Leaving Home |
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Song | Leaving Home (Balearic Chill Guitar Radio Mix) |
| Artist | Balearic Lounge Boyz |
| Album | Leaving Home |
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Song | The Blue Bar Midnight Dance |
| Artist | Biscaine |
| Album | Dance all Day (on behalf of Media Sound Art), and 2 music rights societies |
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Song | Perspectives |
| Artist | Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah |
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Song | Alone Is Still Alive |
| Artist | Chillo |
| Album | Dance all Day (on behalf of Chill-in-Chill-out Rec.) |
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Song | Bang Bang (PianoChocolate Mix) |
| Artist | Jean Honeymoon |
| Album | Bang Bang |
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Song | Struga |
| Artist | Night Lovers |
| Album | City Lounge Vol. 1 |
Album Review
Based on mood and music curation I will give this album 4.5 / 5 stars. For this particular album, I’m focusing on the mix made by Haircuts for Men because (and correct me if I am wrong) there are no original songs and the whole album it’s a music compilation.
- The mood feels kind of lounge but not quite downtempo, which I love for creative work given that there are no lyrics or singing throughout the album. This allows my brain to engage in creative processes and I don’t end up dancing or singing instead of doing what I suppose to do.
- The Mediterranean influence in certain rhythms are fantastic and made me feel like I was in a beautiful hotel somewhere in Greece, a Spanish island or even in Morroco. The strings for sure gave me this vibe.
- There are, also, presence of mellow vibes that almost feel like a brain massage. Soothing for the listener and well used to link songs in smooth transitions.
- Saxophone lines are (for me) a must layer when it comes down to portrait a 90s lounge vibe and yes it is there!
- I will definitely listen to this album many more times. It is a perfect match for the type of activities I perform during my working hours but at the same time, I want to listen to it while falling asleep on a hammock in Ibiza, during springtime with beautiful views of the sea and sharing that great moment with people I care about.