‘…Incredibly intricate performances collide with ingenious, progressive creativity and spirited melodies to create something that effortlessly transcends any language barrier…’
Maverick Mom (short for “Maverick Moment”) only emerged back in 2022, but have already established themselves as one of the brightest rising stars of the Japanese rock scene. From being the opening act for ROCK IN JAPAN FES 2022 and LIVE the SPEEDSTAR festivals, to their impressive 200k monthly listeners on streaming services, the Hakusan four-piece have generated a real buzz around themselves thanks to their impressive live performances and intricate jazz-fusion sound.
Last month saw the band finally drop their debut full-length record, ‘Travessia’, with an entire body of new material accompanied by polished versions of many of their foundational singles. This review only looks at the work released for ‘Travessia’, rather than the bonus material also released alongside it. Entitled after the Portuguese word for ‘voyage’, ‘crossing’, or ‘journey’, this concept record is built around the band looking towards their future with music.
Some records simply put the biggest smile on your face, and ‘Travessia‘ is undoubtedly one such record. Incredibly intricate performances collide with ingenious, progressive creativity and spirited melodies to create something that effortlessly transcends any language barrier; this record is essential listening for the cinematic summer of your dreams. Swaggering funk-rock dances with thundering post-hardcore, whilst progressive chord progressions flirt with trap beats and folkish acoustics; Maverick Mom will have you moshing in your sequins.
Springing forth from an overture of lapping waves, acoustic picking and an epic electric guitar solo, the title track sets the pace perfectly from the get-go. Galloping strings charge forwards atop of rallying percussion, before the track implodes into a ridiculous disco inspired main body. Twisting and shifting relentlessly, the performance morphs into a swaggering prog-rock cut, before resolving on a note that almost feels a little Legend of Zelda in nature. The band want to make it clear that expectations mean nothing; this is their party, and they make the rules, no matter how nonsensical.
‘Karakuri’ is a buoyant and infectious funk rock styled number, with an unbelievably slick slapped bass performance snaking through skittering riffs and glossy keys. ‘G.A.P.P.A’ is a delightfully playful number that keeps things relatively minimalist during the verses, with a looping guitar dancing atop of a simple stomping rhythm. Adjacent to this sits gorgeous, glittering choruses, and a bosa nova styled bridge that works wonderfully with the retro funk of this absolute banger. ‘Domestic Secret’ is somewhat more muted, with a subtle fuzz coating the instrumental work, but the the theatrical flair of Maverick Mom still shines through, especially during the moody swagger of the choruses.
Whilst ‘Travessia‘ undoubtedly gets off to a strong start, it is the record’s back half where the band escalate things to stratospheric levels of brilliance. Following on from the luscious instrumental ‘interlude‘, the band leap into the five-and-a-half minute rollercoaster that is ‘Arcadia‘. The track kicks off the record’s back half in style, with a soulful vocal performance delivered atop of a kick-ass country flecked backdrop, before taking on shades of RnB and gospel as it progresses. ‘Dryer’ layers post-hardcore styled guitar licks against vocoded vocals for a beautifully melancholic sonic experience. ‘Suisen’ almost carries something of a twinkle-emo flair to it, with its glittering keys and synths dancing about atop of a beautifully bittersweet body swaps between rhythms that bounce and waltz.
It is ‘Shower!!!!!’, however, that is perhaps the truest highlight of this brilliant record. Semi-rapped vocals dance atop of complex jazz-fusion rhythms, before surging towards stupidly infectious disco inspired choruses, punctuated by a hook that will have you singing along on your very first listen. It’s a ridiculous affair to behold, only made more so by the lyrics that detail the simple pleasure of getting a hot shower; whenever you climb into a shower, you will be shouting ‘shampoo time’ from now on. It is pure, dumb, brilliant fun, pieced together by incredibly talented musicians.
A firm contender for 2026’s Album of the Year, ‘Travessia’ is a wickedly fun experience from start to finish that serves as a testament to music’s power to transcend borders and barriers. Certainly, funk and post-hardcore are no strangers, but few have blended the two in a manner quite as electrifying as what Maverick Mom have achieved here. The result is simply beyond addictive; get ready to get your groove on.
RATING: 89/100
For Fans Of: pulses., The Dear Hunter, nightlife, Gold Necklace, Mud Whale
Physical copies of the record are available to purchase here.
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