Top tracks — play these first
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Queens are trumps Start here — This title track encapsulates the album's energetic spirit, featuring catchy hooks that highlight the band's signature blend of pop and rock elements.
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ビターチョコレート — Combining playful lyrics with an infectious melody, this track exemplifies the band's knack for crafting songs that balance lightheartedness and depth.
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太陽スキャンダラス — With its upbeat tempo and vibrant instrumentation, this song serves as a celebration of individuality and confidence, resonating with the album's overarching themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases energetic melodies and varied tempos but lacks a strong cohesive arc.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a high-energy tempo, while the fourth track introduces a more classic rock feel with a slower pace.
- Several songs feature call-and-response vocals between the lead singer and backing harmonies, enhancing the energetic vibe.
- 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 pacing for focused listening
- catchy melodies for sing-alongs
- vibrant energy for uplifting moments
- assertive sound for empowerment
- varied dynamics keep engagement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid steady, cohesive flows
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Scandal's status in Japan's pop rock scene.
- Themes
- self-assertion anthems· J-Pop empowerment
- Career context
- Released on September 26, 2012, 'Queens Are Trumps: Kirifuda wa Queen' marked Scandal's fifth studio album, solidifying their position in Japan’s pop rock scene. At this point, the band had already established a strong following through previous albums and singles, showcasing their evolution since their debut in 2008.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Go-Go's· Paramore· No Doubt
Tracklist
- 1 Queens are trumps Start here 3:41
- 2 太陽スキャンダラス 5:06
- 3 ピンヒールサーファー 5:01
- 4 Rock'n Roll 3:54
- 5 ビターチョコレート 5:16
- 6 Kill the virgin 5:01
- 7 声 4:50
- 8 Rising Star 3:32
- 9 Bright 5:17
- 10 Welcome home 4:00
- 11 HARUKAZE 4:37
- 12 Right Here 4:13
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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