Review Summary: A lightweight, irresistible J-pop album.
One can too easily claim that
Moshi Moshi Harajuku sounds like a Perfume album. After all, the same person that produced this mini album (Yasutaka Nakata) also produced Perfume’s
JPN. However, there is one defining difference between the two J-pop groups. Namely, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is an oddball. You’ll be hard pressed to find pictures of her that don’t have her caked in ridiculous doll-like make-up, or doing a funny face, or wearing crazy clothes - that’s just who she is. Whereas Perfume is manufactured and impersonal, Kyary at least displays some personality. Such is evident in her music video for ‘PONPONPON’, which went viral due to its psychotic yet cute visuals. For people new to J-pop the eye catching images would surely intrigue, but the question then is whether or not this mini album can equally impress hardened J-pop fans and critics. Fortunately, it can.
Moshi Moshi Harajuku plays out like a Perfume album, only simpler and more mindless. The album is generally easy to listen to with smooth, affectionate electronics and happy beats. One pictures an innocent little girl skipping along through a crowded mall, excited to go to the toy shop. The soldiers are her favorite, ‘cause she can wind them up and watch them march around, bashing their little drums to a cute song. Perhaps imaginary but certainly infectious, and this image consistently endears. The resulting sound is equally endearing, with positively childish sounding electronics plus instrumentation. Such a light weight, adorable display of music is absorbed easily, and the positive energy about it is difficult to resist.
Perhaps the overly cute image is an attempt at brainwashing the masses, but the corresponding music nonetheless impresses. Pop is meant to be this simple and pleasurable, and thus this mini album is highly recommended. Despite rather similar songs and a heard-before style of J-pop, the music is too enjoyable to be weighed down by its scant negatives. Candy for the soul,
Moshi Moshi Harajuku is sweet but never sickening.
