- CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
- Alice Cooper "Killer" 1971 (USA)
What's the opposite of creepy? Kawaii, of course! So here's some video stimulation to go along with this week's new music from Japan: my favorite idol group Dempagumi.inc is going through a transitional period with major line-up changes in 2021: their latest single "Impulsive S/K/S/D" is hard rock with metal guitars that projects an "edgy" image (and is the first record they've ever done without their founder Mirin Furukawa, who is out on maternity leave). Their latest 4-track single also includes new tunes by spinoff duo Nemopero (Nagi & Rin) and the debut of brand new side project Chape No Izumi (a trio of Pinky! and two of the newest members). I was excited about the new Pinky! project, though their first release is a bit disappointing (not bad, just sounds like a Dempagumi.inc song that would wind up on a B-side instead of an album). However, I was pleasantly surprised by the tune from Nemopero, a campy collaboration with a moustache man called Ryujin. I also played a third track featuring Nagi Nemoto this week: in addition to Dempagumi and Nemopero, she has also been the center and most popular member of 12-girl idol unit Niji No Conquistador since that group started - most of their songs are fluffy and forgettable, but their latest release "Delicious" is really catchy and kinda funky. Momoiro Clover Z has been the most popular idol group in Japan for the last decade, and I generally don't favor their music, but their recent single "100 Views Of Japan Smiles" is a classic example of the "oriental kitsch" style of Japanese pop. Finally, Haru Nemuri has a new single "Deconstruction" - her style seems to be moving away from punkish anti-pop to something more like "emo pop". I mentioned on the show that she was set to launch her twice-delayed debut North American tour in November, but would you believe it has now been postponed for a third time?