Artist: Cibo Matto Album: Hotel Valentine

Year: 2014
Duration: 37:12

A Critical Review of Cibo Matto's Hotel Valentine

Cibo Matto, a Japanese-American band, has been known for their eclectic fusion of genres, ranging from trip-hop to funk to hip-hop. Their comeback album after a 15-year hiatus, Hotel Valentine, was released in 2014 and was met with mixed reviews. Today, we'll take a closer look at this album, its sound, the best songs, and the most innovative parts of this unique musical experience while providing our own critique.

Hotel Valentine is a concept album that tells the story of a haunted hotel, for which the band created a playlist of 15 tracks that flow seamlessly together. We can hear the influences of funk and punk throughout the album's duration, with a clear trip-hop element in some tracks. The album has a lot of promise with its unique sound, with a nostalgic feel that takes us back to the era of the 90s. However, some tracks feel overproduced, taking away the organic feeling of Cibo Matto.

One of the best songs from the album is MFN, which features some nostalgic, playful melodies that instantly transport listeners back to the 90s. This song upholds the quirky and playful reputation that we love about Cibo Matto. BFN, on the other hand, delivers an eccentric, fun vibe with its offbeat syncopation.

The most innovative part of Hotel Valentine is the experimentation found throughout the album. For example, Emerald Tuesday delivers a cinematic, eerie, ambient sound to the album, taking listeners on an unusual journey. 10th Floor Ghost Girl showcases Cibo Matto's unique sound with a hip-hop vibe, as heard in their previous works.

However, Hotel Valentine does have its flaws. Some tracks, such as Deja Vu and Empty Pool, lack the same energy and engagement present in the best tracks. Additionally, the vocals are sometimes drowned out by the instrumentals, making it difficult to hear the lyrics clearly.

In conclusion, Hotel Valentine is a mixed bag of an album that showcases Cibo Matto's ability to experiment with different sounds and genres. Though not a perfect album, it is worth a listen for those who appreciate artists' experimental nature. While the album's concept and ambition is evident and noteworthy, there are a few tracks that feel overproduced or fall short, as the band aimed for this nostalgic, eclectic sound. Nonetheless, Hotel Valentine presents a return of Cibo Matto that still feels fresh, quirky, and worth revisiting.