Review Summary: 不思議 (Fushigi) - Mysterious
不思* is a stark reinvention of Akina Nakamori’s formula. The dazzling, nostalgic J-Kayōkyoku and idol-pop styling of records like Prologue and 1985’s Bitter and Sweet showcased an artist who was not unlike her contemporaries. Akina’s music at that time was well-rounded and consistent, while always being corporate and overproduced. Something which now dates those records, and will forever leave them to occupy a hazy, sugary memory of the past. During this period, Akina Nakamori found great success, becoming one of the biggest artists in Japan at the time.
不思* is different in that it is not content with answering those expectations, or fitting the mold of what an 80’s pop album should be. Sure, it’s as dated and produced as those previous albums, but the statement is new. Akina Nakamori set out to craft and self-produce a concept album, which was inspired by The Exorcist soundtrack, Tubular Bells in particular. Gone are the slick 80’s penthouse apartments, and lounging on the beach; now we’re stranded in a dark, industrial dreamworld. 不思* is defined by its surrealist overtone and gothic explorations. Combining elements of gothic rock, new wave, dream pop, sophistipop, and synthpop; genres which evolved her from pop idol to artist. At the time, critics didn’t take kindly to this evolution, and while that’s understandable, this must’ve been a jarring album; in hindsight, it is the most impressive and unique to come out of Japan in 1986.
From the first measure of “Back door night”, the listener is treated to a driving, energetic rhythm, eventually transitioning into a satisfying Tears For Fears-esque bridge. By this point, it was easy to recognize that this was going to be something special. Then the song progressed from danceable basslines to a transcendent saxophone solo drowning in effects and distortion. The vocals are lower in the mix than one would expect, washed in reverb and shrouded in waves of dense and detailed compositions. Her voice becomes another instrument as walls of synths crash all around, and massive industrial drums provide a powerful skeleton.
This opening track is a perfect thesis statement for the record, as this feeling and sonic palette define the remainder of the album’s runtime. It’s energetic, and at times a lot to take in, but that’s not to say it’s entirely inaccessible; there are glimpses of pop sweetness here and there, like in the aforementioned “Tears For Fears” sounding moments in the opener. The closing track “Mushroom dance” is another highlight, shifting to an upbeat, bright soundscape, and indulging in a handful of fun vocal accents. Songs like “Labyrinth”, “Genwaku Sarete”, and “Okibi” slow the pace, indulging in the record’s atmosphere and textures in a more intimate, expansive way. The latter explores aquatic textures, driven by tribal rhythms and lush synths, transporting the listener into a tropical world with a dark underbelly.
不思* is an album before it’s a collection of songs. There are standout moments within each track of course, but none work as well outside of the whole, as they do within the context of the record. It’s a well-paced and structured album which sits at a satisfying, digestible 45 minutes, and is one which requires countless expeditions to fully grasp and become familiar with. It’s a defining moment in Akina Nakamori’s discography, becoming beloved in recent years, and is widely considered her best work. It’s not hard to see why.
Favorite tracks:
- Back door night
- Labyrinth
- Okibi
- Mushroom dance
