With their latest album, MONICA URANGLASS (モニカ・ウラングラス) unleashes an electric storm that gushes with layers of liquescent synth amid thundering percussion, vocals, and more. The Temptation X, which was released on March 11th, is a fitting soundtrack for laying prone and gazing at the stars while wondering what’s flying around up there.

Though spacey — both astral and bizarre — The Temptation X is a fair effort by the young band to create a union between off-beat synthetic esoterism and coherence; they affectionately refer to it as ‘rocktrance’ (ロッカトランス).

Much of The Temptation X is an experimental adventure composed of stratified synths overflowing with strange effects. Folds of often saw synths overlap while low frequencies from drums and GEORGE’s bass guitar hum. KAZ-TICKS’ frequent and crisp guitar combines with lead singer/synth player/programmer 68′s decidedly clean vocals to bring a ‘normal’ balance to MONICA URANGLASS’ music. With these guys fooling around with such a wide array of sounds and settings, it’s incredibly refreshing to hear vocals that are without atrocious effects slopped on (like those from Auto-tune).

The Temptation X‘s first track, “O.P.E.R.A.T.I.O.N” sets the tone. An odd fluttering pans across the speakers and commands the aural foreground while a beat breaks and vocal samples flesh out the space beyond. The oscillation lures the listener into the realm of MONICA URANGLASS where strange noises pop in and dance across stereo channels. Though curious, most of this sounds like the result of organic, human creation — as opposed to being a simple output of a programmed sequencer.

The obvious stand-out on The Temptation X is “Katie”. The song is many individually catchy and small, well-thought-out progressions intertwined as one. “Katie” flows from standard verse to chorus and back but never dulls. The vibrantly flashing melody will endure in the listener’s head long after the song has concluded.

“Kill The Sebastian” is a trancy block of tones that divides “Katie” and “Jill United” (a track that also appeared on MONICA URANGLASS’ 2008 The Invitation EP). From there, The Temptation X dives into a celestial sea of synth waves and goes exploring. Such tracks as Luv Tick・・・Ticks, U.LA.LA, and Picture A.B.S.T glow brightly in the quirky depths populated by Galaxico Fantastico (new favorite song name), Generation X, P.O.T.X, and Termination X (a lot of X’s)

MONICA URANGLASS formed in 2007 and although the young band’s music is defined by electronic exploration, it’s apparent that they are still finding their place and sound. That’s encouraging though, since The Temptation X is a substantial effort that proves that MONICA URANGLASS is on the right track. Additionally, the progress made in the jump from the admirable “Jill United” to the astonishing “Katie”, proves that the trio can really grow.

MONICA URANGLASS is currently signed with actwise and EVOL Records-Excite Music Entertainment and will promote their new album with the PROJEKT “The Temptation X” TOUR 2009, which runs from March 18th to July 12th. MONICA URANGLASS recently toured with VOLA & THE ORIENTAL MACHINE and “Jill United” is featured on a compilation that came out on March 4th. The compilation, UNDER CONSTRUCTION～rock’n'roll revival from Tokyo!!!～ also features songs by The John’s Guerrilla, The Mirraz, QUATTRO, THE BAWDIES, PILLS EMPIRE, and Veni Vidi Vicious.

The name MONICA URANGLASS most likely means “MONICA URANIUMGLASS” since “ウラン” (uran) is Japanese for uranium.

PV RECAP (“Jill United” & “Katie”):

Visit MONICA URANGLASS’ official site & MySpace page

Buy The Temptation X and UNDER CONSTRUCTION～rock’n'roll revival from Tokyo!!!～