Kero Kero Bonito - Bonito Generation (2016)
Genre: Electropop, J-Pop, Synth-pop, Bitpop, Japanese Hip-Hop, Bubblegum Bass
After the meme sensation that was their song Flamingo back in 2014, which admittedly had me intrigued, this indie pop trio released their first proper studio album in 2016. As a reminder, I do not intend
for this to be a really in-depth and complex review. I'm just sharing my quick
personal thoughts on the album. As for any album review I will do, I try to be
objective without letting any personal bias get too much in the way of the
final grade.
I instinctively put off on listening to this album for a while. Reason being, I really dislike most of the J-Pop I've been exposed too. Yes, this is an English group, but if Flamingo was any indication of what to expect sonically, then I had mixed feelings. As I mentioned previously, Flamingo was an interesting song, quite catchy. However, I didn't expect anything else they release to match its charm and upbeat catchiness. I can finally admit with relief, that I was very wrong. This has to be one of the most refreshing modern pop records I've heard in a while.
There's an overwhelming sense of girly pep on this record which some people who prefer more serious songwriting and musical structure may not be a fan of, partly because of Sarah Bonito's cutesy vocal performances, in which she sings "Engrish" and the occasional Japanese phrases about such mundane topics as being too lazy to wake up (Waking Up), and graduating from an institution in which you feel like you learned nothing at all (Graduation). The whole record plays out like some sort of statement on the conscious state of most teens and young adults in this modern age. It's incredibly silly at times, but oh so catchy.
Try Me is a great example of the comedic irony that this group has established. In it, this young character decides to basically lie on their resume and ends up admitting that they can't do anything. I know I keep making light of this, but it really is such a quirky album, that I find it hard to not be engrossed by the simplicity of its themes mixed in with such fun electro-pop and J-pop influences. Every song on this record has charisma and humor (even if subtle at times). Most importantly, they were all pretty catchy. If you don't consider yourself easily amused by J-Pop, I urge you to still give this a try. You may come away pleasantly surprised like I did.
A+
Favorite Tracks: Waking Up, Heard a Song, Graduation, Fishbowl, Lipslap, Try Me, Paintbrush, Trampoline
Least Favorite Track: Big City
There's an overwhelming sense of girly pep on this record which some people who prefer more serious songwriting and musical structure may not be a fan of, partly because of Sarah Bonito's cutesy vocal performances, in which she sings "Engrish" and the occasional Japanese phrases about such mundane topics as being too lazy to wake up (Waking Up), and graduating from an institution in which you feel like you learned nothing at all (Graduation). The whole record plays out like some sort of statement on the conscious state of most teens and young adults in this modern age. It's incredibly silly at times, but oh so catchy.
Try Me is a great example of the comedic irony that this group has established. In it, this young character decides to basically lie on their resume and ends up admitting that they can't do anything. I know I keep making light of this, but it really is such a quirky album, that I find it hard to not be engrossed by the simplicity of its themes mixed in with such fun electro-pop and J-pop influences. Every song on this record has charisma and humor (even if subtle at times). Most importantly, they were all pretty catchy. If you don't consider yourself easily amused by J-Pop, I urge you to still give this a try. You may come away pleasantly surprised like I did.
A+
Favorite Tracks: Waking Up, Heard a Song, Graduation, Fishbowl, Lipslap, Try Me, Paintbrush, Trampoline
Least Favorite Track: Big City
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