Bursting onto the e-pop scene is 18 year old fashionista Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. She’s enlisted the talents of super producer Nakata Yasutaka and thrown her hat into the ring with her debut mini-album, so let’s listen to it after the jump.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has made quite the splash in her native land. Starting out as a normal teenager with a penchant for interesting fashion, she soon skyrocketed to fame after being featured in various magazines for unique style. Soon she cracked into the business world by releasing her own line of fake eyelashes and even organizing charity fashion events. Kyary couldn’t stop there and has broken onto the music scene, first with her digital release PONPONPON and now with her first mini-album Moshi Moshi Harajuku. And with the ever amazing Nakata Yasutaka at her back, there’s really no way Kyary’s debut album could be disappointing.
Moshi opens with the short intro track Kyary no MARCH, which is a cheery, almost 8-bit song with twinkling xylophones underneath the main synth line. Kyary chants the letters to her name in multiple harmonied background vocals lending an almost Tommy-like vibe to the song. All this and it’s only a minute long.
The album continues with CHERRY BONBON which has almost a funk edge underneath its electro-pop exterior. The overall feel of the song though is a much deeper sound. And I mean that in a bass-centric sort of way. All the instruments are a little deeper and fuller, there is only one melody line taking it to the higher end of the auditory spectrum. Not to mention the opening pianosynth gives you an incredibly nostalgic 80’s feel.
PONPONPON is the next track and was Kyary’s first foray into music. To say this song is the auditory equivalent of crack is an understatement. The song is chaotic yet simple, and reeks of Nakata’s signature style. At once you are reminded of capsule and Perfume and I think this could have easily been a capsule track a few years ago. This is the kind of song that really defines Japanese electro-pop for me. The production is amazing and the lyrics are odd. If you want a real treat, watch the PV (included below) that has gone viral.
Batting cleanup is Choudo Ii no. If PONPONPON was capsule, this song is Perfume. The softer, swarthier feel of the synths on this track are exactly what Perfume’s been putting out for the last year. And the chorus’s layered vocals are eerily reminiscent of the three ladies. Despite having a somewhat more intimate sound than the other tracks, Choudo Ii no is very heavily produced, there is a lot going on this track, but it all works really well. It kind of makes me want to curl up in it.
Penultimately is PINPON ga Nannai. This would have to be the b-side to Choudo Ii no if it were ever released as a single for Perfume. The sound of this track is really like a combination of CHERRY BONBON and Choudo Ii no. The deeper, fuller feeling from the melodies, but the safer, softer feel from the overall aura of the song makes this a really outstanding track.
Last but surely not least we have jelly, a cover of one of capsule’s classic songs. This version of jelly as compared to capsule’s is a lot…sweeter. That’s really the only word I can think of to describe it. The strong piano line lends itself well to Kyary’s voice, making the whole thing seem more personal. I really like what Nakata’s done with the track to distinguish it from the original and even his own remix of it released a couple of years ago. Could I say that Kyary’s is the best of the three? I’m not sure, but I can say that it’s a great closer and a great way to give Kyary even more credibility.
For e-pop artists like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and countless others, it almost has nothing to do with them personally—it’s really about the producer. With their voices as heavily filtered and the nature of the music they make, they could easily be replaced by any other decent voiced young woman. But I will say that the girls lend a certain personality to the music. Perfume wouldn’t be the same with three other girls; capsule wouldn’t be the same with a different vocalist. But none of them would be right without Nakata Yasutaka. So while I praise this album and Kyary, I’m really praising Nakata Yasutaka. Here he’s made an album that is very much him. Drawing from elements he reserves for all of the acts he produces and remixes for, he’s created a dynamic outing for e-pop lovers and crafted some fantastic music. Kyary’s debut mini-album is remarkable and fabulous and I await her next, especially if she stays under Nakata’s wing.
INFORMATION
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
もしもし原宿
released 2011.08.17
Tracklist
01. きゃりーのマーチ
02. チェリーボンボン
03. PONPONPON
04. ちょうどいいの
05. ピンポンがなんない
06. jelly
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Purchase Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s Moshi Moshi Harauku here!
