Top tracks — play these first
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MIRROR Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of self-reflection and empowerment through anthemic choruses and driving instrumentals.
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Ai no Shotai — This track highlights the band's knack for infectious melodies combined with introspective lyrics that explore the complexities of love.
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Living in the city — A standout closing track that contrasts urban hustle with personal introspection, it blends melodic guitar lines with poignant storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances energetic pop rock with introspective moments but lacks a strong cohesive arc.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy title track that sets a brisk pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down in the latter part.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, creating a rich texture that complements the instrumentation.
- The last three tracks shift to more introspective themes and slower tempos, providing a contrast to the earlier upbeat songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with gradual build
- youthful exuberance and introspection
- engaging sing-alongs with friends
- for afternoon road trips
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek standalone singles experience
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Strong release that showcases Scandal's continued evolution and relevance.
- Themes
- urban life challenges· unrequited love nostalgia· introspective reflections
- Career context
- Released on January 26, 2022, 'Mirror' marks Scandal's seventh studio album, following their 2020 project 'Kiss from the Darkness'. At this point in their career, the band continued to evolve their sound while maintaining their signature blend of pop-punk and rock influences, showcasing a maturity in songwriting and production.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Go-Go's· Paramore· No Doubt
Tracklist
- 1 MIRROR Start here 3:45
- 2 eternal 3:41
- 3 Ai ni Naranakatta no Sa 4:16
- 4 Kanojo wa Wave 3:24
- 5 Ai no Shotai 4:24
- 6 Ivory 4:20
- 7 Yugure, Tokeru 3:59
- 8 Ao no Naru Yoru no Sukimade 3:13
- 9 Prism 4:01
- 10 one more time 4:07
- 11 Living in the city 5:13
- 12 SPICE 3:44
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Just Bring It
Band-Maid
Shares a vibrant energy and introspective themes within a pop rock framework.
DAWN
Aimer
Explores urban life challenges and unrequited love with emotive melodies and introspective lyrics.
Stray Sheep
Kenshi Yonezu
Merges pop rock with personal reflections on life, resonating with youthful exuberance and nostalgia.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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