Since WORLD ORDER was starting to head into more of a political stance in their music, I wasn’t surprised that their next release would be something about censorship and free speech and all that. What I can say is that the music this time feels more subdued and less extravagant than their last track, “BIG BROTHER”. I do like the low synths and the kind of mysterious cyber-like feel it has and Genki Sudo’s cold vocals are continuing to fit the vibe of the song pretty well as a kind of Utopian straightness. Though while not important to the song, there were also many member changes which ended up with the 5 you see on the cover art. The song though is fine, but not quite as good as previous efforts.
Considering that CENSORSHIP came out last year and was the last thing the group have done since, I kind of wonder where this song came from to be honest. The song itself didn’t have the bump that “BIG BROTHER” did so unfortunately, it kind of meant it didn’t really stand out and with the confusing and lack of WORLD ORDER in recent times, it makes me wonder what’s going on and if they’re even still a group considering they did switch members and they left and it’s kind of a hot mess at the moment.
What a weird way to start a song hearing Donald Trump’s voice for a song (especially funny under auto-tune). Now I know after “IMPERIALISM” that Sudo was taking more interest in like politics and such and this was kind of headway of it especially with a song like this with a more scandalous title as such. Little surprised to see that and yet have the chorus be as upbeat as it is, but it’s mostly chanting and saying the title. Does carry itself a little like the previous poppy songs and I’m all here for listening to Genki Sudo say ~let’s grab them by the pussy~ as it’s a stab at Trump. Yeah this was funny overall, probably strange humor coming from WORLD ORDER, but definitely makes sense what with how our president did end up being.
2. BIG BROTHER
Definitely politically charged it feels like? Yeah BIG BROTHER is another one here and I was surprised to here more English here. I’m quite surprised this was more unique in its arrangement with the plucked strings and the grittier synths used here like if it was something from the early 2010’s. It’s an unusual song from them taking a robotic feel and going with it with the whole ~big brother is watching you~ sentiment through it. Not one of their bests, but I could see its appeal.
3. SINGULARITY
Nice to see this song again especially after the commentary of the previous two tracks, this is pretty refreshing! Though I am curious why it’s on this release considering it was on their previous mini-album. Though I did notice it was slightly changed where it has a different ending (where it doesn’t fade-out). Other than that nothing has changed here and the tune is still amazing and all-around fun!
This was a strange release with little fanfare from the group (I don’t think they even announced it). This was a digital single released in 2020 and features a song from ’17, ’18, and ’19 but they all have Genki Sudo who most were aware he was gone from the group and focused on his political career. Though it is funny this single is politically charged (with the exception of SINGULARITY). I mean LET’S START WW3 is funny and BIG BROTHER was odd so the release is still in curiosity of why? Plus they have so much stuff they’ve release between 2017 and 2020 that they should’ve put out by now like “MISSING BEAUTY”, “EXODUS”, “ONE STEP FORWARD”, “WE ARE ALL ONE”…yeah, where are they?
So the mini-album kicks things off with a new version of THE HISTORY OF VOICE which was one of the tracks from their “2012” album and my god remembering what that was about gave me worries because it was an instrumental track that kind of went far too long for my enjoyment (well, the PV sort of helped). This one though is only 2 minutes long and doesn’t really stay around too much. It’s an interesting track now that it’s length has been shortened but this feeling moreso an opening intro. Interesting.
2. MULTIPOLARITY
I wasn’t sure what to expect for the remainder of the album, but all the songs had PVs so I’m happy. I’m really loving the strings that open the song, giving it that Oriental feel to it. At this point in their career while watching the PV, I didn’t notice that main singer, Genki Sudo was not present in them, but it seems he also still singing here so it’s no worries. I will say though with double melodies, I had wondered if there was another singing with him. This is definitely amongst their more stronger works as it continues this steady electronic beat with moving strings. It’s a mystical sounding track and while it doesn’t have hooks like other tracks do, it’s a nice song overall!
3. THE NEXT PHASE
Next track in, THE NEXT PHASE brings back the more poppier side of their music and with this one in particular, it focuses more on the lyrics and the brighter arrangement used here with beats, piano, and I think I hear triangle? Genki’s vocals in this one sound so relaxing in the verses and just suits this glossy dance track so perfectly. It’s kind of the perfect soothing track to end up at and I just enjoyed all of this a LOT. It might not reach songs like “HAVE A NICE DAY” or “INFORMAL EMPIRE” but damn this was pretty nice and the extra inclusion of a female voice in ad-libs adds color to this. One of the best on the album!
4. QUIET HAPPINESS
So this song marked a change for the group where Genki Sudo actually more or less resigned from the unit, but still be a part of the music production. QUIET HAPPINESS was the first release without him and we were given two new vocalists; Akihiro Takahashi & Masato Ochiai (they were already members, just appointed as vocal replacements for Genki). This one has a more solid beat to it and with Akihiro’s distinctive voice makes the track rather new to me. The arrangement is minimalistic and kind of robotic and prickly too. It’s different though it doesn’t hit the same feels like “THE NEXT PHASE” did, but I enjoyed the more relaxed nature of this one.
5. “HAVE A NICE DAY” Shibuya Ver.
It’s funny because while Genki Sudo left the group, he’s on these last two tracks off the mini-album as the main vocalist (and is present in both MVs). That said, yeah this is a new version HAVE A NICE DAY with a different arrangement and sadly shorter length barely making over 2 minutes. The lyrics aren’t different, but since it cuts most of the song out it kind of left me feeling disappointed. Even with the updated arrangement, I felt like it was lacking something to it as well. I don’t know what this was for, it just…yeah…no.
6. SINGULARITY
Then we come to the final track on this release and SINGULARITY was the star song here, even moreso than “THE NEXT PHASE”. It definitely feels like it does take from the same page from “HAVE A NICE DAY” and it’s huge popularity and ran with it for this one and it’s so danceable and just happily upbeat and cute in ways. Though I’m so happy it has an actual song structure with verses and choruses again and I really love the build-up and the chorus (while not having lyrics) is still the catchiest thing I’ve heard in so long. Like it’s so vibrant and colorful and just a whole lot of fun (helps the PV with the 7 SKE48 members alongside too). Yeah this is a GEM!
So….this was a strange release. If you hadn’t guessed, this was more promoted for the PVs, but luckily it did come with a CD containing those songs which kind of makes it a mini-album in ways. Though during this time, WORLD ORDER was going through a lot of changes and it showed with Genki leaving even if it didn’t really feel like it because he’s only vocally missing in one song. Lot of neat tracks on this one and THE NEXT PHASE and SINGULARITY are high-ranking songs for me. Great release!
So the mini kicks off with the lone digital single released, IMPERIALISM (which was the debut for member Ryuji Tomita), something I didn’t mention was they were already losing members after the first album so new blood was brought in of course, but it’s unnoticeable in the music since it still is just Genki singing. I also think this was when I started to feel WORLD ORDER kind of turn on the political statements in their songs because this has some dialogue from former President George H.W. Bush throughout which kind of pushed me away a little bit. Though if I ignored that, the song is more of what we say on their last two releases (mostly stuff from “2012” but a little of “PERMANENT REVOLUTION” as well. Also I’m surprised the song is sung entirely in English. It’s a bold move on all fronts, but I think the song is interesting, but I could live without the political-ness of the extra dialogue.
2. LAST DANCE
Moving to new songs, LAST DANCE is the first up and we’re back with the atmospheric electronica sound that the group’s been known for so far. To be quite fair, I kind of was a little bored of this one, at least in the verses, I think because the music breakdown is kind of more interesting than the rest of the song. It’s kind of slower ballad-like track for them. It just sails on by for me and doesn’t leave much of an impression on me sadly.
3. THIS IS LIFE
Heading forward to our next track, THIS IS LIFE feels immediately more alive than “LAST DANCE” simply with the more upbeat dance beats and synthwork found here. I was worried initially because the PV that came out for it felt like a short interlude, but nah, the album cut is above 4 minutes long. Anyways, the song carries itself in a similar way to the previous track because carrying on the atmospheric verses and such…it does a better job being more hypnotic in its ways. I do like the 80’s synths though, that was neat. Interesting song, but it feels like more “2012” here.
4. HAVE A NICE DAY
So, we get to the title track and by far it’s their biggest hit in their careers yet and honestly the change of mood and brighter tones mixed with a less serious topic (it’s about a day in the life of an idol fan), HAVE A NICE DAY is such a trip and a fantastic song to run into (it is what got me into WORLD ORDER in the first place). I’m loving the strings and guitar beat to the chanting pre-chorus to the pounding beats is just orgasmic! Plus it’s nice to see Genki sound a bit more alive and with more flavor tones to his vocals versus the more colder sounds we’re used to. The ending verse though was pleasantly surprising (not going for a final chorus), though I wanted more? xD. Regardless, I can see why this became their biggest song (besides the PV with AKB48 members making cameos). It’s just an amazing song and perfect for being the title track to the mini.
5. INFORMAL EMPIRE
Uhhuh, first it’s “IMPERIALISM” and now we have another empire-ish-y track with INFORMAL EMPIRE. Though I do get the sound of it immediately with those horns that phase into this bopping synth-line. It’s kind of funny that we’re back to something that reminded me of the aforementioned track, but I do like this a LOT more because the sound is just modern-esque and yet robotic. I do like the random inclusion of a female singer singing in French (though it seems the PV was shot in London, oop?). Regardless, the song is pretty cool and for being more serious, lyrically…it’s kind of neat and one of the more powerful songs from them.
6. WORLD ORDER ~Welcome to TOKYO Remix~
So we have a new version of WORLD ORDER next up and it’s pretty much updated to kind of fit in the groove that this mini-album has had. Meaning that the guitars are gone and the dance beats and mostly replaced with piano, strings, and squeaky synths (which I think is the only remaining thing). It does feel like it took out the punchy feeling the original had, but what we ended up with in this version is more of like a melancholic version. It’s definitely unique and fits more…it’s just wild that things have changed since their debut, right?
7. MACHINE CIVILIZATION ~Inner Child Remix~
Curious to know why these last two remixes aren’t a part of the digital releases of the mini-album, but whatever. I feel like I hear the string return from “HAVE A NICE DAY” reappearing here, but I digress since it is a remix of MACHINE CIVILIZATION from their previous mini-album. The beat is nice and kept together, but I think the whistling synth has been heard quite enough maybe? I feel like I’ve heard a LOT on this release. It’s not bad, but I’m kind of over it? The remix does end feel a little white too me, nothing to really latch on here.
8. AQUARIUS ~3.8 Remix~
Same thing with the damn whistling synth that opens up this remix up as well…why is this connecting to one another? Anyways, AQUARIUS seems even more ethereal and piano-driven than before, but Genki’s vocals have this echo filter to make it feel more airy and light. I kind of feel like this is OK, but like the previous track, nothing to really gawk at.
WORLD ORDER’s 3rd mini-album, HAVE A NICE DAY is interesting to say the least. I’m starting to see little elements of Genki Sudo’s writing that kind of brings the group into more serious topics which is fair enough and their sound is a bit more tighter than in “2012” Though if they continue to do more songs like HAVE A NICE DAY and INFORMAL EMPIRE then I’m hooked because these two songs pretty much owned the album. Decent release, curious to see what’s next!
As the leading A-side, I was pleasantly surprised by FIND THE LIGHT! It’s a bit more alive and active of a song versus many of the previous WORLD ORDER tracks known which is a nice move, but it’s kind of got a mix of dance-pop to electronica and the whole feel of it is a lot more freeing and happy sounding. Of course Genki sounds really nice too. Plus the droning string/synths mixture behind all the synth beeps and dance thumps really made it stand out. It’s one of my personal favorite songs and for many it is as well…it was just a powerful and awesome song in their collection.
2. PERMANENT REVOLUTION
As for the other A-side, PERMANENT REVOLUTION doesn’t quite hit as hard as “FIND THE LIGHT” did, but I do appreciate that it’s keeping it’s lighter and brighter tone like some of the songs from “2012”. The piano does bring in some sort of brightness and Genki’s stronger vocals feel like they have an urge to them. I don’t think I have too many problems with it, but it does feel like something that maybe should have been on their previous album if anything.
3. FIND THE LIGHT -Remix-
Interesting that WORLD ORDER is leaning more into remixes since the single as 2 of them (one for each of the main tracks here). FIND THE LIGHT’s remix takes a more minimalistic approach with what seems to be less sound filled out in the headphones. Even the vocals have been toned down and given some kind of filter effect as well. It’s an interesting neo-club, modernesque sound, but I think I rather keep the original.
4. PERMANENT REVOLUTION -Remix-
As for PERMANENT REVOLUTION’s remix, it’s actually kind of unusual because it seems to follow a similar minimalistic sound, but it’s done differently and it feels a little more original sounding than the main cut of the song. Though there’s a lot of empty space where’s focus on the synths and beats and there’s even a female voice that’s heard a LOT more here than in the main cut. Not bad actually.
Wow! I didn’t think WORLD ORDER would just after 2 mini-albums, throw out a single, but it’s a really interesting single to be fair. FIND THE LIGHT is such a good surprise and really did them well giving us a more solid and fun dance track out of them while PERMANENT REVOLUTION was pretty much what we’ve grown to know, but I’m seeing the changes in Genki’s sound in both tracks to make me wonder what’s next. The remixes are OK, I much prefer PERMANENT’s over FIND THE LIGHT but they’re both interesting enough. What’s next?
Opening the album is more or less an instrumental piece from the group as there’s no actual lyrics and is mostly used for the visual side of WORLD ORDER. The song itself is pretty much what I’ve come to expect WORLD ORDER to sound like so it doesn’t feel too out of place, but considering that it is a rather lengthy track (4:40), it does kind of wear me down pretty quick since there’s no vocals to be had…
2. 2012
Which we finally get into the main course of the mini-album, the title track, 2012. Coming from the debut, 2012 doesn’t seem to stray too far from what they’ve produced thus far as it has sparkly electronics and strings combined together. I do appreciate the dreamscape sound it gives off and Genki himself sounds a little lighter as well. The song itself is relaxing and light, but it does feel like it goes on too long because it’s a rather legato-heavy song so it’s a little sleepy in part (especially towards the end). Interesting tune though.
3. MACHINE CIVILIZATION
If I’m correct, the one most people talk about from this mini-album is MACHINE CIVILIZATION and it’s definitely interesting since it does kind of read the same as “2012” but less sparkly and mostly leans on the beats and the percussion of the song. Though I do like the whistling synth that’s featured here. The tune does kind of feel quiet and somber in comparison to the previous track. It’s chill, yet positive…it’s a pretty nice tune I’ll give it that!
4. HELLO ATLANTIS
Seems this is one of the FEW songs that WORLD ORDER didn’t give a PV for. I’m kind of surprised because HELLO ATLANTIS is much more progressive in sound versus the last two tracks as it has a more uptempo vibe and has a broader sound with the synths. I do like the addition of guitars as well to the mix giving it a pretty cool sound, fitting for a song called as such. Does remind of like watery places ironically. Yeah, this may be my favorite off the mini to be honest!
5. CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Next up is CHANGE YOUR LIFE and this is kind of giving me vibes of “BOY MEETS GIRL” for some strange reason, but it could be from the MV it got. Anyways, the song here is definitely another one that sticks out here because it’s not a smooth song like previous ones, but give more of a light parapara drive to it that makes it more, I guess lively? Maybe it’s a little discotheque-y in a way too. Either way, this is unusual, but I kind of dug it since it is so different to the other tracks.
6. AQUARIUS
As the last main track, AQUARIUS rounds things out with another slower track this time, almost echoing the vibes I got from “MACHINE CIVILIZATION” with the soundscapey vibes on top of the underwater motif that “HELLO ATLANTIS” brought up as well. I do like the repeating piano line and the violins featured before going into its EDM style here. It’s a solid way to close things off I’d say!
7. WORLD ORDER ~Tax Haven Remix~
Though what actually ends the mini is a remix of their debut song. Remembering what I heard from the original, the remix is a little more guitar-focused and a bit more grittier with the synths which is pretty neat to see. Genki’s vocal are further processed and I’m not really sure, but I had a little bit of a hard time hearing the lyrics over the heavier arrangement. Definitely a nice remix though and gives the tune some fire behind it.
I really didn’t get to hear any opinions coming into WORLD ORDER’s 2nd effort, but I have to say 2012 is quite more polished than their debut by a wild shot IMO. Most of the songs feel like more together and the dance arrangements feel more varied (although CHANGE YOUR LIFE feels more like something off of the first album). Still, this was a good release and I enjoyed it all (maybe not so much the first track though).
As the group’s debut song and one that got the PV, I was curious to see what Genki Sudo was up to with this group. I kind of like the modern-esque groove with piano, dance beats, and synth with guitars introduced in the choruses. I kind of enjoy the clean dance feel of the track and there’s just a lot going on but not enough to make things feel cluttered. On the other hand, Genki’s vocals being filtered do sound slightly odd because it’s sounds like he’s drowning in the song. Still, for their first song, this is pretty impressive sounding!
2. MIND SHIFT
After that, MIND SHIFT comes next and it’s more lenient on the techno vibes here than in “WORLD ORDER”. I do get a feeling that this was worked on a little less? I don’t know, but the song does feel slightly more natural due to Genki’s vocals not as processed as in the previous track. The tune doesn’t quite live up to me, but I can see where they were going for this one. It does feel like it goes on a little longer than expected (lil over 5 minutes). Still, not bad, just I know they’ve done better.
3. A BRAVE NEW WORLD
Oh yeah, this is definitely giving me some old 80’s electronics here for A BRAVE NEW WORLD. The mood of the song feels a bit more colder and maybe mixed with some 90’s beats. The tune is more or less a little continuation of “MIND SHIFT”. Kind of the same feelings here, it’s OK, but nothing I don’t think I’d come back to because it’s just as long and kind of droning to me.
4. BOY MEETS GIRL
Ooooh, the next track, BOY MEETS GIRL seems to give me those 90’s vibes with those piano notes. Though I think of the 6 tracks on the album, this one is definitely the poppiest ones here. The lightheartedness of the song mixed in with this eurobeat groove is interesting and with Genki’s vocals…it’s a softy song and I kind of liked it. It’s a cute song for them, I’ll give it that and it stands out.
5. BLUE BOUNDARY
Funny enough, if you had to ask me what my favorite song off the mini-album was, it’s definitely BLUE BOUNDARY. It’s definitely a step forward amongst the rest of the tracks because it’s a little more futuristic, but it mixes a march mostly due to the repeating trumpet melody. Still, the coldest feeling of the song and mixing it with Genki’s deadpan vocals here is kind of a totally different experience than what we got with the previous tracks. I don’t know why, but it just sounds epic and unique especially for being from their debut release.
6. LOVE AND EVERYTHING
Ending the album, LOVE AND EVERYTHING is actually interesting because it’s an updated version of a song that Genki Sudo released back in 2006 (WORLD ORDER was released in 2010). The original was a bit more organic and had actual instruments whereas this version has strings and some underlying synths to kind of tie everything together. The arrangement is quirky enough, but it doesn’t sound all to fitting for WORLD ORDER to pull off because the beat is so light and the song is so fluttery and soothing. Genki sounds like, but the filters (and layering) does seem slightly extra for me. Still…interesting way to close things out.
So, this is a group I’m totally shocked I never caught wind of because they’re so unique in the world of J-pop and it seems they grew popular (mostly due to their synchronized dancing and tight robotic, ticking, and other styles of dance). So after listening to some stuff, I decided to tackle their discography (since 2020 was their 10 year anniversary). So here I am reviewing their debut release. WORLD ORDER as a mini is a strange one because it is 6 songs but there’s a bit of variety regardless. Musically, it is just Genki Sudo and the music which is a weird twist to it all since the rest of the members are dancers and he did have a solo career so this is odd to say the least. If anything BLUE BOUNDARY is a gem on this release and maybe WORLD ORDER itself but the rest of the mini-album kind of lacks something about it. Maybe there’s more to them with their next releases? Heh!
Kurayami Monogatari 