All songs were written by Hiroshi Kono, and my grandma is Japanese, so that was what attracted me to this album. Otherwise it’s a standard indie rock album. When you think of J-pop, you won’t think of Mar Project, but there is a reason for the label. It’s hard for Japanese music to get past the stereotype of simultaneously goofy and serious lyrics and musicianship.
“Fist of Soul” has a fun bridge, giving visuals of driving on the freeway late at night after a fun evening of having dinner at a coworker’s house. “Run” sounds like an early ’90s Electronic kick to it, no doubt inspired by Johnny Marr himself.
The 21st Century Blues is the epitome of stereotypical Japanese music in English. What other song would pair the words “humongous” and “balloon”?
“Astonishing” sounds like Velocity Girl, except with a male singer. The singing is slightly deliberate, which makes the lyrics easier to understand. If things don’t work out with the Mar Project, perhaps the singer has a future in broadcast news.
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