Review Summary: The shooting star I have been all along
Suisei came crashing into the VTuber scene less like a comet and more like a falling pebble. In 2018 virtual youtubers were very niche, barely known outside of Japan. After getting rejected by a few real-life idol agencies, our star fated protagonist decided her hand at the virtual world. So for those unfamiliar asking what is a VTuber? The short answer a 2d/3d anime avatar that tracks the users movements behind the camera while they stream a variety of content from video-games to concerts, not any different from thousands of twitch streamers you may be familiar with.
Still Still Stellar offers a window into Hoshimachi's virtual career and all the doubts, struggles, and success that has followed in the 3 years up to the release of her first record. "Just like the shooting star I've become, stellar stellar" Suisei tears through the galactic-airwaves on her opening track 'Stellar Stellar' proclaiming her affirmation of self, followed right into bombastic instrumentals. The layered mix of breakbeat drums, brass, violin, and bass synth together with her soaring vocals to make this track beautifully encapsulate the idea of Suisei.
After a year she had around 6k subscribers and questioned if this was the right path to follow. Suisei then drops 'Tenkyuu', and ends the song with "I'll see you again someday" meant as a final farewell to the old fans, instead it became a welcome to the new listeners. Suddenly she saw a future here as the song gained popularity not thought possible for how small she was. 'NEXT COLOR PLANET', such a groovy tune, that bassline will get you twerkin that dumptruck like She-Hulk. This song came a year after the release of 'Tenkyuu'. It represents a phase in her career where you can tell she's finally starting to become confident "cause tomorrow we will meet again" no longer questioning if her aspirations are possible. Then you have 'GHOST' an explosive J-rock song with some impressive drumming. Hoshimachi this time around wanting to be taken serious as an artist. Tired of people not giving her a chance because she's behind an anime avatar, treating her as a ghost like she's not even there "Can you hear my voice, and come find me?". 'Bye Bye Rainy' 'Jet'aime' 'Dazzling' 'Comet' 'Starryjet' 'Bluerose' are all fun songs, with kawaii future bass, EDM, and a dash of funk mix it up so the album never becomes stale. 'Andromeda' a rock ballad works well with Suisei's somber vocals laced throughout. 'Kakero' a high energy track closes out what has been an incredible first output.
If you can get past the anime avatar, you'll find someone with a talented voice who never gave up their dreams even when being rejected multiple times and told you're not good enough. This album is a statement to them and the people who support and continue to support her. Not everything's perfect here sure, a few average songs, some track placements are strange, and since it's a bunch of singles packed in with a few new tracks the overall cohesion of the album is not 100%. Though if you give it a chance you'll find a diamond in the rough.
