Robyn Writes

J-Pop Sunday – Super Update Special!

Hello all! Welcome to a slightly different edition of J-Pop Sunday! Today, rather than introduce you to a new artist, we’re instead going to have a quick look back to some of the artists we’ve covered over the past six months and check out what they’ve been up to since they were featured. I swear, this is totally not like when the writing team of a sitcom have run out of ideas and decide to do a clip show episode. Honestly. And the editor lady said it was ok.

First up, remember Kyary Pamyu Pamyu? Of course you do, we mentioned her back in February. The young fashionista has continued her campaign towards global domination by hosting live performances around the world – including here in the UK –appearing in adverts for literally anything back home in Japan – including KFC, Suzuki, and most recently a part time work recruitment agency – and of course she’s still releasing music. A new album “Nanda Collection” was released in June and two singles from the album have also appeared. “Invader Invader” (which – I’ll be honest – I thought was a bit pants) and “Ninjyaribanban” which mixes together Kyary’s familiar style with an old timey Japan theme.

Ahhhh, LiSA. Gosh, she’s still pretty. She’s also released a new single since we last saw her. It’s called “Träumerei” (which translates from German as “Dreaming”) and yet again it’s being used to plug an anime series. Come on LiSA, you don’t need to do this anymore! You’re more than good enough to stand on your own two feet! All it leads to are weird NicoNico (a Japanese video sharing site; it’s like YouTube but full of Miku Hatsune videos) and YouTube comments…

Most surprisingly, BABYMETAL still exist. I wasn’t originally planning on including them in this update round-up…thing, but their newest single “Megitsune” (Female Fox) is actually pretty awesome. They also performed at Japan’s “Summer Sonic” rock festival earlier this month.

90’s throwbacks Access (or AXS if you prefer) have a new single and are on tour once again. Sadly, I haven’t been able to find the video for “JOY TRAIN” – yes ,that really is the name of the single – so we’re going to have to make do with the advert for it which – according to TBO Editor-in-Chief, Robyn – is “like the 80s vomited rainbows onto YouTube”.

In very slightly more sane news POLYSICS and the telephones join forces next month to embark on a joint European tour! (Get hype, people!) The bands will visit France, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and the UK this September. POLYSICS’ official English language site had all the info for dates and venues. Under normal circumstances I would be very excited at the prospect of seeing my favourite band performing live, but, as current plans go, I will be out of the country when they are in the UK. This makes me rather angry at myself and at one git who is currently in Canada. As such I think we should leave it there for now.

I need a cup of tea to calm myself down. UNTIL NEXT TIME, PEOPLE! There will be new content. I swear.

J-Pop Sunday – Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

It’s J-Pop Sunday once again! This week, things get silly and colourful as it’s the turn of first lady of Harajuku herself, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu! (きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ)

I told you it would be colourful.

Quick guide:
Act Name: Caroline Charonplop Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (きゃろらいんちゃろんぷろっぷきゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ)
Real Name: Kiriko Takemura (竹村 桐子)
Years Active: 2011 – Present
Genre: Pop/Electronic Pop
Notable Singles: “PONPONPON” (2011)
Official Title: “Kawaii Harajuku Ambassador” (Bestowed upon by the Mayor of Shibuya himself)

Right, where do we start with Miss Pamyu Pamyu? The beginning I suppose: She started life as an amateur fashion blogger while in high school. Her blogging focused mainly on the trends of the Harajuku district in Shibuya, Tokyo; an area famous for “Gothic Lolita” and “Kawaii” (cute) fashion styles. Her blog gained a large following which eventually lead to business and marketing opportunities with the fashion industry, which in turn spread her name to the point where the opportunity for a pop career was presented to her by renowned producer/composer Yasutaka Nakata (中田 ヤスタカ).

Now, the thing about Kyary is – that even by Japanese and fashionista standards – she’s a bit…off. As evidence to support my accusation take a look at the video for her breakout single from July 2011, “PONPONPON”:

Still with me? Told you she was weird. She also likes making weird faces, but more on that later. PONPONPON’s combination of a catchy tune and bizarre video meant that the song managed to reach #9 in the Japan Hot 100 chart and also top the iTunes Electronic Songs Chart in Belgium and Finland. PONPONPON was included in Kyary’s debut mini album “Moshi-Moshi Harajuku” (もしもし原宿 Or “Hello Harajuku” in English). Moshi-Moshi Harajuku also included Kyary’s second single “Jelly” along with 4 other tracks that are equally as catchy as PONPONPON.

“Moshi-Moshi Harajuku” managed to reach #18 in Japan’s Oricon Chart

The tail end of 2011 saw Kyary get her sights on the world at large: Performing at a fashion show in California, followed in 2012 by one-off performances in Shanghai and Hong Kong, followed by a nationwide Japanese tour. Also in 2012 she released three more singles: “Tsukematsukeru” (つけまつける which translates literally to “Putting On My False Eyelashes”), “Candy Candy” and “Fashion Monster”.


Things get spooky in the video for Fashion Monster.

We’re only two months into 2013 yet Kyary has been a busy girl. A double A-side single was released this January – and her first official world tour kicked off in Europe this month. Having already visited Belgium, France and the UK Kyary’s “100%KPP WORLD TOUR 2013” also has dates planned in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the US between now and mid-April.

So what’ve he accomplished here today? Well to summarise we’ve met Kyary Pamyu Pamyu; a slightly oddball Japanese girl who loves fashion and makes weird pop videos. Now here are a couple more of her songs and after that, as promised, there are some pictures of her making silly faces. They’ll brighten your day.



“Furisodeshon” (ふりそでーしょん) – from the recent double A-Side – is an odd parody/celebration of Kyrary turning 20 and therefore “Coming of Age” in Japan.


I’ve no idea what “Candy Candy” is about, but it’s silly and that onion amuses me.