Kanagawa-born RADWIMPS was already a veteran of the nation’s modern-rock scene when Batsu To Maru To Tsumi To came out in 2013. Over the previous decade, the band made a name for itself thanks to energized numbers harkening back to bands like Blur and Supergrass, with an added nu-metal attitude. On its seventh album, Batsu To Maru To Tsumi To, RADWIMPS continues honing its rock sound while also leaning into slower, more spacious ballads that really showcase lead singer Yojiro Noda’s skillful lyrics. The quartet plays with rock’s nuances across Batsu To Maru To Tsumi To. “Jikkyochuukei” zips out of the gate with angular guitar melodies and Noda’s sing-speak vocal delivery. The band channels the aggressive playing of Japanese rock legend Sheena Ringo on the buzzy “Gogatsu No Hae,” becoming one of the first male-fronted groups in the country to recognize her artistry. RADWIMPS shares its most frantic percussion to date on “Kaishin No Ichigeki,” demonstrating drummer Satoshi Yamaguchi’s development as a performer. The members also exhibit a growing interest in soaring ballads on the album. Previous records often included a few of these, yet the number jumped up here. This manifests in tracks built around bell chimes (“Ienai”) or stripped-down cuts centering piano and especially aching vocal performances (“Breath”). Future albums would see the group exploring and mastering the form, but on Batsu To Maru To Tsumi To, RADWIMPS is just getting started.