If you ask me, it’s not nearly often enough that we get the world of post-rock or post-metal cross over with doom in a form that’s actually properly done and not just some fuzzed-out form of heaviness with a couple of riffs thrown in. To come across something that actually qualifies for such a creation is to come across something that’s unfortunately rare in my eyes, and it’s with real luck that in most cases that I’ve come across of such works that they’ve really been something to behold. Barely two years after their entrance into the scene, it’s with their first full-length album that Qoya does no less than make a great impression for themselves.

There are many words that can describe such a creation as immaculately in my opinion as “dream-like”. When it’s done right, there truly aren’t many other styles that can come close to what it can become, and it’s only through the talented that we can even get a glimpse of what it’s like to see a creation precisely like that come to life in all of its brightly colored glory. In virtually every inch that “Yōkai” consists of, Qoya proves themselves to be beyond capable of delivering that very kind of quality with these eights tracks being so much that I could ask for out of this style with even a little bit more to really give that element of a pleasant surprise. While the majority of their music falls into the wide realm of post-rock, it’s undeniable to not call “Yōkai” eclectic when it comes to the mix of styles that we’re treated to here as Qoya implements elements from the likes of doom and post-rock’s metal counterpart that are brought together exceedingly well that make this effort one that not only keeps the listener guessing as we float from one track to the next but utterly enthralled by all that it accomplishes. That’s far more than what many others could even claim to attempt with their goes at post-rock for all that it provides in the vast dreamscape which only adds further credence to the quality that Qoya doles out with seemingly minimal effort for all of “Yōkai”.

As calculated as this record feels, it is the epitome of a work that is fresh to the peak of what such a descriptor can take a record, and it’s right from the very beginning to the end of this admirable work that Qoya manages to bring it to gorgeous effect with every step being one further to the glorious finish. “Yōkai” manages to create a gorgeous air of quality that is all but enrapturing in its flavors with it succeeding on any and all expectations that may have been laid forth by the listener before they take the dive into this deep, glorious work of a band who’s surely well on their way to well-earned renown.

“Yōkai” releases on October 15th!

LISTEN to Qoya on Facebook here.

LIKE Qoya on Facebook here.