Kyarypamyupamyu – Invader Invader May 13, 2013

Track Listing

1. Invader Invader
2. Point of view
3. Fashion Monster -extended mix-

1. Invader Invader

At first, I really did think this was going to be the B-side for “Ninjari Ban Ban given that this song came out before that single released, but nope!  Invader Invader, is honestly the first time I personally think Kyary did something a bit more electro in her work and less technopop (but it still has its moments).  This song though is my favorite in the era because it’s just so ridiculously catchy and Kyary sounds like she’s having fun here.  Though Nakata…you fell into the dubstep love just a bit late and while the drop into it is a bit odd…it kind of works because it’s not too distracting in the song.  Yeah this is a pretty damn good song!

2. Point of view

I totally forgot there was a B-side XD.  Point of view brings the cute idolly technopop back and there’s toy piano (which I am starting to loathe, despite being in a lot of her songs of recent).  The song though takes repetition to a rather annoying level…but some of this song is quite adorable, but the chorus is annoying.  Even the woodwind solo (whatever that instrument was, was refreshing).  It’s ok…not as good as “Unite Unite” was, but what can you do?

3. Fashion Monster -extended mix-

Nakata needs to learn what extended means because 10 added seconds is not enough to be called that!  I still love Fashion Monster so this mix is kind of just reaffirming my love for the song.  There are a lot of new sounds in the song which is cool, but the only thing I hated was the slight dubstep thrown in because it just didn’t work in the area it was used honestly.  I liked the other extra beats thrown in so this wasn’t a bad mix, but this is definitely not much of an extension >.>

Kyary must be close to an album because this is her 4th single.  I will say this era has a lot of awesome A-sides so Invader Invader fits right in because it’s fast and edgy and catchy as all hell!  Point of view musically is charming, but the chorus just grates on me for some reason and the Fashion Monster extension is good, but definitely should’ve added a couple more minutes to it.  Wonder what she’ll bring next!

Kyarypamyupamyu – Ninjari Ban Ban March 20, 2013

Track Listing

1. Ninjari Ban Ban
2. Unite Unite
3. Minna no Uta -extended mix-

1. Ninjari Ban Ban

I have to say that I was wondering when Kyary will release something a bit bizarre for an A-side again especially after “Fashion Monster” and Ninjari Ban Ban is such a unique song for her.  I mean the song just sounds Japanese and the ninja strikes and melodies of the song sound like entirely ninja-ish.  I have to give props to Nakata for doing this because it’s so different and cool.  Great A-side!

2. Unite Unite

I was surprised this wasn’t “Invader Invader” but this song as the actual B-side and it’s kind of like the cousion to “Kimi ni 100 Percent, but also has a certain Perfume tone to it which is a bit strange.  Then again it also has some odd capsule moments (especially the synths solos).  It’s interesting also the Nakata incorporated toy piano here as well.  It’s an interesting song no doubt and I can find myself enjoying this a lot in the future.

3. Minna no Uta -extended mix-

44 extra seconds = an extended mix?  Well it seems so for Minna no Uta (an album song from “Pamyupamyu Revolution”).  I liked that beat intro since it sounds like some works of Nakata’s past works, but once the silly melody of harmonica and bass synth jump in, the song goes into its cute route and I find myself like the tune again and the “PONPONPON” reference is funny lol.  Even though this was a useless extension, I still like Minna no Uta.

I was so surprised Kyary would release a single SO SHORTLY after “Kimi ni 100 Percent/Furisodation” but I’m good with that since it means more Nakata to fawn over.  Ninjari Ban Ban definitely is one of my top favorite Kyary songs with its eccentric Japanese sound and catchiness.  Unite Unite is cute, but it also kind of reminds me of Perfume is a strange way…but that’s good too.  The Minna no Uta extension was a bit unneeded but it’s Kyary’s thing so I cant say too much.  I hope an album is next!

Kyarypamyupamyu – Kimi ni 100 Percent/Furisodation January 30, 2013

Track Listing

1. Kimi ni 100 Percent
2. Furisodation
3. CANDY CANDY ~extended mix~

1. Kimi ni 100 Percent

I wasn’t sure what I was coming to since I didn’t get to listen to this track all the way at first.  Kimi ni 100 Percent is of course tied to that wacky Crayon Shin-chan series so I was expecting it to go all out and be super random, but we got this rather cutesy song in place and there’s times where I like it, but I feel like it doesn’t have the same interest as the other A-side.  I would have to say this is probably her weakest A-side released yet!

2. Furisodation

The song that actually got the PV, Furisodation is a track that’s essentially about Kyary’s 20th birthday and her ability to now get drunk and just have a bit more freedom (kind of like how 21 is a big year for us Americans lol.  Unlike the previous track where I felt kind of bored, Furisodation actually grew on me very quickly because of it’s quirkiness and overall fun and bright tone.  It isn’t as jaw-droppingly good as “Fashion Monster”, but this song is a great follow-up IMO.

3. CANDY CANDY ~extended mix~

In tradition, we get an extended mix and this time around it’s CANDY CANDY and I love the song as it is, so an extension is just extra icing on the cake.  However, we really only get an extended intro and outro and nothing else beyond that.  I still do love the song though and the new parts did include my favorite areas so I shouldn’t be complaining…sweet deal!

So Kyary’s first double A-side comes in and I kind of enjoyed it?  Of course I was here for Furisodation because it’s catchy and just a lovely little tune and I was happy that it got the PV.  Kimi ni 100 Percent (which the title reminded me way too much of “100% no Jibun ni”) is OK, but I didn’t feel like it was A-side material.  Of course it picked up at the end with CANDY CANDY being stretched out…not bad of a single overall!

Kyarypamyupamyu – Fashion Monster October 17, 2012

Track Listing

1. Fashion Monster
2. 100% no Jibun ni
3. Tsukema Tsukeru -extended mix
4. Kyary Revo Medley

1. Fashion Monster

Well you know it’s that time of year when Kyary sets her 3rd A-side as her Halloween single and I REALLY LOVE this song.  I mean the song is not your normal cute Kyary/Nakata song no, no…this is something a lot darker but still retaining some of the cuteness that we’ve gotten to enjoy from Kyary.  It’s gritty, electronic, wild…it’s what I really love about Nakata’s arrangements and he brought it back here.  This is probably my favorite Kyary song yet and that’s saying something (considering I’ve loved all her leading tracks). 

2. 100% no Jibun ni

Then reality kicks in and we get this B-side.  I mean after “Fashion Monster” that pedestal is pretty much placed really high and this song really just bombs the single.  I mean it’s back to Kyary’s cutesy style, but the song really sounds bland and would’ve fared as an album track from “Pamyupamyu Revolution” better.  It just doesn’t work here and makes me wonder why it had to be on this single…yeeesh.

3. Tsukema Tsukeru -extended mix-

At least the single closes out with an extended version of Kyary’s first single.  Though, extending it about 40 seconds longer isn’t much to begin with, at least the song begins differently.  I kind of like how it began here than in the original honestly.  Though it seems like the track had gone through some changes in the arrangement as well.  It doesn’t seem so rough around the edges.  Other than that, it’s still the song we all know and love when it comes right down to it. 

4. Kyary Revo Medley

Then this little track surprises me.  It’s really only 45 seconds of snippets from her album, “Pamyupamyu Revolution” why it’s there is pretty unknown to me (maybe a little promotion perhaps).  The track though is SOOOO SHOOORT…so you really can’t get a tight grasp of the songs, except “CANDY CANDY” which is the longest of the previews…

 

 

I have to say I’m VERY happy with Fashion Monster (the song)…it’s just the right kind of random Halloween song that I need this year.  However the rest of the single seemingly falls flat for me.  The extended mix of Tsukema Tsukeru isn’t bad, but I’ve grown out of that song so it’s just OK to me.  100% no Jibun ni though is just bland for me and really doesn’t belong on this single (like I said, probably a track denied existance on “Pamyupamyu Revolution”).  The uber short medley, useless…why….So yeah this single isn’t that great but it’s worth it to get the A-side!!!

Kyarypamyupamyu – Pamyupamyu Revolution May 22, 2012

Track Listing

1. Pamyupamyu Revolution
2. Tsukema Tsukeru
3. PONPONPON
4. Minna no Uta
5. Kyary ANAN
6. CANDY CANDY
7. Drinker
8. Onedari 44°C
9. Suki Sugite Kire Sou
10. Girigiri Safe
11. Oyasumi
12. Chan Chaka Chan Chan

1. Pamyupamyu Revolution

Opening up Kyary’s first album, Pamyupamyu Revolution really gives you the overall feel of the album and it’s definitely going to be a cute one that’s for sure.  It’s like some song that would play at a theme park or something which is pretty nice when the main melody is a glockenspiel.  Kyary does some ~la-la-la-ing~ to add a little more cuteness to the song.  Then Selryam and Sylfi said that it’s just a new version of “Kyary no March”…it’s true…less Nyan Cat version though…I like the “Moshi Moshi Harajuku” march more TBH.

2. Tsukema Tsukeru

The glock melody works from the intro because it opens into our first A-side from Kyary!  I have a rather interesting feel for the song for some odd reason.  In one way, I enjoyed the song and playful nature with more glock love.  However since, “CANDY CANDY” came along, the song kind of faded away from me.  It’s still a pretty fun song to listen to but it’s starting to lose its gloss for me and I’m kind of seeing its colors a bit better.  Though the synth horns (maybe?) middle was interesting lol.

3. PONPONPON

Interesting that she added the lead song from her debut mini.  I mean its sheer popularity was the reason it was added for sure and truth be told, it’s still just as amazing as it was last year!  I don’t know what it is about the song but it’s hypnotic and overly catchy and is dependent on a lot of repetition to get it ingrained in people’s minds (plus the random PV surely made it pop out a LOT more than the song too).  It’s just a very radical song and I LOVE THE HELL outta it.

4. Minna no Uta

We finally land on our first new vocal track on this album and I was pretty curious to see what was under her sleeves for the album.  Minna no Uta does feel right being after “PONPONPON” because she’s saying it quite a bit in this song as well.  Then it gets very Nintendo-y like Animal Crossing because it’s joyous and bouncy and pretty random all over and there was harmonica too!  I thought it was rather cute and genki for her!  I really like this song for some reason and Kyary isn’t under vocoder or other vocal effects which make me a bit happier. 

5. Kyary ANAN

Really?!? Of the two B-sides she only included the one from “Tsukema Tsukeru” and it’s the one I don’t really like!  Coming back to listen again to this track, it reminds me of Perfume’s early days for some reason like “Sweet Donuts”.  The thing that bothers me is the repetitive background lyrics because they just NEVER stop…it’s like cocaine-induced.  There’s a limit to how much I can take and this song just passes over it.  I mean when Kyary is actually singing lyrics, it’s nice but otherwise…it’s downright annoying!

6. CANDY CANDY

Moving into the 2nd A-side for this album and CANDY CANDY is definitely one of the more impressive songs she’s done.  The song sounds a bit more serious than any of the previous tracks but still retains that Kyary giddiness that is really awesome to hear.  I just love the song despite the chorus being just a little mundane.  Everything else in the song is pure WIN and Nakata did a great job with this tune. 

7. Drinker

The rest of the album is luckily full of new tracks now.  I turned Drinker on and I was immediately taken back to stuff like Perfume’s “Macaroni” and MEG’s “CANDY”.  There’s something that was rather laidback and just a song that enjoys the atmosphere it’s placed in.  Kyary’s vocals do seem a little more quieter than I would like it to be but it’s still somehow catchy in it’s own right for me.  She just sounds cute and it suits her quite well XD.  The chorus though….cute as hell!

8. Onedari 44°C

As the somewhat promotional track for the album (but no PV), Onedari 44°C is a lot more quick-paced but it’s actually the first miss for me.  There’s something that I felt was missing to make it stand out.  I do like the sax playing in the background to make it a little jazzy in places.  It’s random and that alone made the song just a tad more better.  Different and the ending melody was something I would have not expected…

9. Suki Sugite Kire Sou

Our next track seems to borrow some sort of idea from MEG’s cuter songs like “OK” and “HEART” because it has a steady shuffling beat and it adds punch to her music.  It does come off like it was made for MEG but just left for Kyary to make more out of it and I think it worked it for some reason.  Add in some synth horns and it’s like wow…but when I start paying attention to the piano playing…it also gives me a little “Baby cruising Love” kind of feeling but still an identity on its own.  Though it is a bit long being only 5:20 though….conflicted I guess you can say.

10. Girigiri Safe

Well we’re back to cuter songs like Girigiri Safe which started with a music box (or at least I think it was).  There’s some whistling as well plus some other interesting synthwork from Nakata.  It’s very cheery and would’ve fit right after “Pamyupamyu Revolution” given both of their natures.  I think it’s alright, but there’s better tracks on here!

11. Oyasumi

Well usually when there’s a title like Oyasumi, you’d assume it’d be the closing song but it isn’t.  Once again, I get major Animal Crossing vibes when I listen to the song because it’s got a very quiet and night time motif going on.  Add in that the rhythm is very waltz-like and it’s like a very dreamy and pleasant tune.  Kyary does have some sour notes because she’s trying to be cute about it all and it kind of does rub me the wrong way sometimes. 

12. Chan Chaka Chan Chan

For a song with such an absurd title, I wasn’t expecting to go back into dance mode for the last track.  When I hear the lyrics being sung I can’t help but think it’s another “Tsukema Tsukeru” because it’s very dotty and a lot of staccatos all over the place.  Also at one point, they start playing the chorus melodies of “PONPONPON”, “CANDY CANDY”, and “Tsukema Tsukeru”.  It was such a surprise and kind of just epic to hear her find a way to do that in this track.  Though I like how she’s like ~see you, see you again…see you, see you, see you next time!~ for most of ending of the song…

Tracks Recommended

• PONPONPON
• CANDY CANDY
• Onedari 44°C
• Chan Chaka Chan Chan
• Minna no Uta

Song of Avoidance

• Kyary ANAN

Well it was kind of obvious that Nakata would put more effort since it is Kyary’s first album and all that!  I mean Moshi Moshi Harajuku was average at best, but she did a WAY better job (and Nakata) for Pamyupamyu Revolution!  I think Nakata expresses his cutesy, more fantasy-esque side through Kyary and it worked because all of the songs really do give this happy-go-lucky and sugary view quite well.  Unfortunately Nakata fans might be like wtf at the fact this album is SUPER sugary and is a niche cut out for the fans that like sugary things.  Recent capsule fans and Perfume’s electro fans will find it hard to take this album in…but honestly the quality is here and the songs are all mostly able to drill into your mind.  Hard to have an album to have that kind of power…I really enjoyed it but my problem was taking in all that sugary goodness in one listen…there’s a point where I would have to stop listening to Kyary for a while.  Definitely a good album though, but just be warned…it’s not for everyone.

Kyarupamyupamyu – CANDY CANDY April 3, 2012

Track Listing

1. CANDY CANDY
2. Demo Demo Mada Mada
3. Choudo Ii no (extended)

1. CANDY CANDY

I have to say, I have liked Kyary’s leading songs so far in her career and CANDY CANDY continues to show Kyary as this sugary cute entity but I kind of enjoy it.  Nakata seems to root his cute vibes through her nowadays and it seems to work since the arrangement is adorable like the synth melodies the lead (like the one after the first chorus).  I love that lol.  Lyrically, it’s like the others where the verses are a bit more meaningful while the chorus is like mind-melting sugar just like “Tsukema Tsukeru” and “PONPONPON”.  Not bad of an A-side and I might like it a tad more than her last A-side.

2. Demo Demo Mada Mada

Ok, so I didn’t like “Kyary ANAN” because it was too much to handle…well I feel sort of the same way about Demo Demo Mada Mada but somehow this one has a lot more charm and the fact that there’s acoustic guitar in the synth arrangement is always nice to hear.  I’m curious about this song because it is so refreshing to listen to…but that beginning really frustrated me because it was sudden and has enough to give a headache.

3. Choudo Ii no (extended)

Just like in the last single, we get another extended song (one that was originally on “Moshi Moshi Harajuku”).  I originally thought Choudo Ii no was nice but it started to drag towards the end…so learning that it got extended was going to be a downer for me.  Even though it’s just a minute longer.  Not much to say otherwise but I still do enjoy the song.

 

 

As the second and final single for her debut album, “Pamyupamyu Revolution”, CANDY CANDY was pretty good and a step up from “Tsukema Tsukeru” in the fact that all three songs were pretty good for the most part. CANDY CANDY was cute in the right places and fits into the cute songs I really like XD.  Demo Demo Mada Mada at first was annoying but the acoustic-led arrangement made me like it a lot more the second time I listened to it.  Of course Choudo Ii no is good originally and the extensions were good too…Looking forward to the album ^^

Kyarypamyupamyu – Tsukema Tsukeru January 12, 2012

Track Listing

1. Tsukema Tsukeru
2. Kyary ANAN
3. Cherry Bonbon (extended)

1. Tsukema Tsukeru

As this is Kyary’s first A-side, I was wondering if we would get something ridiculous like “PONPONPON” or something that’s rather forgetable like the rest of that mini-album but Tsukema Tsukeru is actually quite memorable but it’s definitely no “PONPONPON”.  At least I can tell from the verses to the chorus a lot more easier this time around.  Some of it reminds me of capsule’s “idol fancy”, mainly through the instrumental.  Very cutesy and is peppy but at the same time true to Kyary.

2. Kyary ANAN

Unfortunately, Kyary ANAN also gave radical “idol fancy” vibes which is a bit unusual to have in both songs but this one is a bit more blatant with it.  Sadly, the song kind of annoys me to no end because it’s repetition done wrong IMO.  I will say the music is what saved it from being an utter disgrace since I found the surfer guitar solo odd but cool.  Still if it wasn’t so hyped on the whole repeating shtick, it might’ve been better (but also VERY short without it).

3. Cherry Bonbon (extended)

A minute and twenty seconds was added to the original to make it…well extended and otherwise the same as the original.  So in basic logic, if you like the original, you might like the extended version as well.  Luckily, the song has grown on me since and the longer version does sound good but the original is just pinpoint and doesn’t need extra music to make it better.

 

 

As this is her first single, I thought Tsukema Tsukeru is an alright place to start.  The lead track is catchy and follows “PONPONPON” quite nicely but not as random or epic either lol.  Sadly the Cherry Bonbon extension wasn’t really needed and I much listen to the original version.  Even worse was Kyary ANAN which is just borderline very annoying.  Maybe her next single will be better!

Kyarypamyupamyu – Moshi Moshi Harajuku August 17, 2011

Track Listing

1. Kyary no March
2. Cherry Bonbon
3. PONPONPON
4. Choudo Ii no
5. Ping Pong ga Nannai
6. jelly
7. PONPONPON (Extended Mix)

1. Kyary no March

So an introduction to the mini-album is the first track here and you can clearly tell Nakata is behind this all the way.  Funny enough that the beginning synths remind me of a certain internet meme (Nyan Cat much?).  Still it’s really interesting that’s it’s in a march style without having the usual instrumentation.  Kyary sings a bit and spells the name as well.  It’s a catchy intro I’ll admit.

2. Cherry Bonbon

A song about food?  Hey, Kyary is going for cute so I can’t deny that it works.  The song sounds like 80′s pop/new wave for Kyary adds herself in and let’s be honest, she reminds me of MEG but only slightly but it’s because of this style of music since it’s happy and upbeat and the chorus is basically the title repeated a lot lol.  It’s funny because I think Kyary is saying ~jelly bonbon~ instead haha.  It’s an interesting and fluffy synth-pop song but I don’t know if I will remember this much.

3. PONPONPON

Then comes this evil, EVIL song that marks off her first song with Nakata.  When I first heard this tune, I seriously was annoyed with it because it felt so repetitive and just one-dimensional…but in some crazy ass oddity, I found myself being entranced by Nakata’s synth work and the lyrics got catchy.  Kyary in this song reminded me of a cuter Toshiko and that might be why this song somehow just got glued to my mind…DAMN HER AND THIS SONG being mind-numbingly catchy and cute.

4. Choudo Ii no

After that spaz attack, it’s nice that Kyary and Nakata took the next song to a more slower groove and it does sound like Perfume-y but a tad but I like the mood it gives off for sure.  The fact that I also enjoyed hearing guitar in the song was also a great surprise.  After a while it does feel like it gets repetitive, but I’m lost in the arrangement so it doesn’t really bother me as much as “Cherry Bonbon”. 

5. Ping Pong ga Nannai

I don’t know why but the opening of Ping Pong ga Nannai somehow reminded me of “You Are the Reason” from capsule’s “FLASH BACK” album but not as heavy and deep.  I also get major MEG tendencies out of this song because of the Kyary is handling it vocal-wise and such.  I think of the songs on the mini, this didn’t impress me the most.

6. jelly

So Kyary is like MEG because she also does a capsule cover, this one a cover of jelly from capsule’s album, “FRUITS CLiPPER”.  Unlike the original it doesn’t open up with the heavy club beat before Toshiko enters with the opening lyrics.  Kyary’s quickly starts with the lyrics.  I don’t think the new version of jelly sound really good when compared to the original but I guess it was a good try since it’s a bit lighter and fits Kyary’s style. 

7. PONPONPON (Extended Mix)

Funny, we get a longer version of this crazy, genki, electropop tune.  It did only add about 2 minutes of music onto it, it’s still pretty much lighthearted and fun to listen to because the extended parts are mostly the catchy stuff which is probably bad or good (in my case).  However there’s a limit to this and the beginning is full of the whole ~pon pon way way way~ part soooo w/e XD.  I mean the actual lyrics don’t even start until halfway….WTF!

 

 

I wonder if Kyary is meant to replace MEG since she left her label last year.  Moshi Moshi Harajuku shows a lot hope for this newcomer to Nakata’s family and I’d be interested in hearing more from her especially since PONPONPON is getting so much hype.  She’ cute, her vocals aren’t terrible and she has charm in the music that’s present on this mini.  I will say that if you’re not into cute Nakata music this wouldn’t be your cup of tea but otherwise I think both Kyary and Nakata has something together ^_^