Though it makes left turns and constantly tweaks its formulas, In Focus? is admirably coherent and cohesive, with each little pile-up of ideas finding its place in the big pile-up of ideas that comprises the album.
In Focus? isn’t a new celebration, but rather a reinforcement with one, tactile moment reminding us why the pop connoisseur is to be trusted: because he’ll always have something to draw on.
Simply put, this is some of the cutest stuff you’ll ever hear, and the child-like glee built in the thousands of layers of instrumentation on new disc In Focus? is kinetically infectious.
In Focus? lacks a certain profundity that – whether rooted in sadness or happiness – is sorely needed to save it from the emotional grey area in which it finds itself
Playful, lush, uplifting, gorgeous, In Focus? is a wonderful combination of pop and folk music. Using very unique instrumentation, ranging from bells to flutes to guitars to bongos, Shugo Tokumaru invites the listener into a profoundly beautiful space where the sun shines all day long. There are very few weak moments on this album. In fact, I would say Trampoline is the only entirely weak song, mostly due to its lack of boisterous instrumentation, making it's mellow feel stick out like a sore ... read more