Fishmans: "Long Season" (Album Review)

Genres: Dream Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Progressive Pop 

To me, Long Season represents two things. Life and the quality of change. As the 35-minute-long version of another Fishmans song, "Season", expansion could have felt frivolous and unnecessary. After all, Season is a solid track of its own, and not something I would expect to be built upon. Necessary or not, Long Season tells its own story and sees the band use all the skills at their disposal, not to recreate, but to continue creating. This is where artistic vision and potential meet artistic expression at what is arguably the highest level. Fishmans gave it their all, and that feeling of pouring out your everything transcends the language barrier. 

From the start, the droplets of water let you know you’re not just anywhere anymore. This experience is one that plunges you into the depths, with you drifting peacefully at times, and fighting against the rapids at others. Whether looking down into the dark abyss and sinking lower into the mysterious unknown or gazing above and seeing the sunlight cascading through the rippled waters, there is the undeniable feeling of exploration. Okay, I’m done with the water metaphors, but that’s really the feeling the album creates. It’s in the album cover, the sound effects, and the quality of the sound itself. All of these add together to place you in a certain location that Fishmans wonderfully develop. 

Am I dreaming? Maybe, but only halfway. Long Season exists in the world of blurry, tender sights, and the world of solid and tangible force. The dream pop elements create an atmospheric quality that highlights the nostalgia present on the record. Fishmans are able to have their cake and eat it too by using this atmosphere as a backdrop for change. Even throughout the rougher moments, feelings of sentimentality remain within. 

Two lovers running across Tokyo. The lyrics are centered around this snapshot of the past, which evokes a range of feelings from the emotional spectrum. Happiness about being able to share and have such a perfect memory with another human being. Sadness about this beautiful memory staying just a memory, intangible, and unmoving. Desire and yearning to reunite with the lover, feeling the spark of a deep, intimate connection once again. These heavy emotions are instilled into the listener, making them a part of the story itself, taking the place of the protagonist. With lyrics so powerfully familiar, it’s hard not to visualize and reminisce over the past. 

While the past may be an important concept of Long Season, this definitely does not mean there is stagnation. Long Season is divided into five parts, with each being an excellent piece that builds up, swells with energy, and expands. This song is over half an hour long, so putting the pieces together and making sure that listeners aren’t tired of the same drawn-out song would definitely have been on the band’s minds. They avoided this problem completely by having sections with dramatically different tempos, melodies, and instruments, while at the same time making sure that they were connected by the same themes, stylistic elements, and even repeated lyrics. Although there are some sections that may not be as exciting or interesting as others due to the incredible variety, they never last long and are importantly used to build greater sections. If there’s a part that bores you or leaves you wanting more, you won’t find yourself waiting long. 

Hope, love, longing, and sentimentality. Who’s to say that Long Season represents just one of these things? Or even a few? Maybe even none of them matter! What is undeniably important about Long Season is the expression of the human condition, whether it’s lyrically or shown in the pursuit of this art itself. I truly believe that as this album pushes you into the front seat, the emotions it creates in you—your emotions—are important to consider. 35 minutes can allow distractions to enter a singular piece of music, and Long Season does tend to wander at times. But how wrong is that? Wandering and changing your direction when needed or even unneeded is essential to living. And this album really makes me feel Life. The questioning, the desiring, and whatever else. It’s all there. Life is many things and maybe Long Season doesn’t have the answers as to what they mean. All I know is that the value of music that can bring up such deep thoughts and instill such deep emotions cannot be understated. 

Favorite Tracks: Long Season

Least Favorites: n/a

Enjoyment: High 9

Critically: High 9

Arbitrary Number: 9.7/10