Album of the week - 1.1

Yukari Fresh

Grrrl, Summer Cape Kid, etc.

Escalator Records (2008)

Why you'll love it: Catchy/cute electronic melodies

Why you'll hate it:  Shit's for babies

A new blog and a new year also marks what may be the end. The unlucky victim in this case is Tokyo's Shibuya-kei genre - a modest 90's phenomenon that crossed pre-70's jazz, bossanova, and bubblegum pop with modern production. The legendary Pizzicato Five carried the genre on its shoulders most of the way, and has been assisted by the likes of capsule, Cubismo Grafico, and (finally), Yukari Fresh.

Almost every Shibuya-kei artist has managed to create his or her own spin on the genre. Yukari brought forth her knack for brilliant electronic pop arrangements, with ancient pop riffs used like samples in hip-hop. Her style sounds less like P5's retro swing gala, and more like a time-travelling Casio keyboard. 

The last time we heard from Yukari was in 2003 when the genre had one foot in the grave. So it's quite a pleasant surprise to have another new release. The announcement came bittersweet, although, as this was confirmed to be the last release by the Shibuya-kei flagship label, Escalator Records. Another nail in the coffin...

So how is this album already? To the average listener, quite light; but to this starving fan, anything is a gift. The tracks are basically a collection of two minute ditties. Yukari is modest enough not to create anything more of her pop riffs than they need to be. While previous releases have had proper radio-worthy tracks or layered pieces, these are basically some leftover rhythms that have most likely been bouncing around in her head for the last 5 years. 

Not to say that I don't enjoy the songs though. "Interstellar Kiss And Ride" is great fun, and the "Grrrl" reprise at the end, mixed with broadcast tennis match highlights, shows that she hasn't compromised her style at all, unlike other artists who abandoned ship years ago.

This release feels like hitting a home run while down by 12 runs in the bottom of the ninth.  It may be a record without any relevance, but it still feels good to run the bases one more time.