album of the week: 3.3

Hideki Kaji
Sweet Swedish Winter
(2013)

why you'll love it: more of a stripped down, modest approach to pop songs.  feels very real
why you'll hate it:  lacks energy and catchiness


Longtime pop composer, Kideki Kaji has a love affair with pop music from Sweden that I can totally relate to.  Due to the language barrier, I can't tell if he understands the fantastic bitter and maudlin undertones of Swedish pop songwriting; but on the surface, it's still some of the most enjoyable music out there.  Hideki has make a carrer out of bringing the fresh and confident attitude that most Japanese artists have with the heartwarming and comforting feeling Swedish pop has.

Despite making such a big deal of this Japan & Sweden crossover on this album, as opposed to any other album of his carrer, Sweet Swedish Winter doesn't exactly capture the essence of Hideki Kaji all that well.  Up front more than anything, the songs don't have much of zing to them.  Hardly any memorable hooks or motifs.  I was bored through most of this album.

I also think making a cover song the title of your album and the first track sets a bad precedence.  I don't mind him doing a cover, but making it the centerpiece of the album sends a message that the rest of the material is comparatively weak.  Also ending an album released in late February with a Christmas song?  The last thing I want this time of year is Christmas music!

You don't have to track so far back to find much better works by Hideki Kaji.  Even his previous album, Blue Heart (2012) was much better than this one.