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 – POLYSICS

TOISU! We all remember our first band, don’t we? You know, that first band we went properly mental over. POLYSICS were mine, there was (and still is) something about a gaggle of boiler suit uniformed, straight-bar sunglass wearing, energetic, synth playing loons that I found bizarrely appealing. Almost heroic! I wanted those glasses – a part of me still does – but you’re not here to read about my mis-spent youth; instead let’s take a look at POLYSICS.

Yano, Hayashi and Fumi – the current POLYSICS line up.

Quick Guide:
Act Name: POLYSICS
Line-up:

  • Hiroyuki Hayashi (A.K.A. POLY-1): Inspired by American band DEVO, Hayashi founded the band in 1997 while in High School. A bundle of energy, he’s POLYSICS’ Lead Guitarist, and Vocalist.
  • Fumi: Joined in 2001 after working with the band for three years. Bass Guitarist, Vocalist & Synth Operator, Fumi replaced former Bass Synth operator and “Toast Thrower” Sako Eisuke (POLY-2).
  • Masashi Yano: Yano joined in 2004, replacing Junichi Sugai as Drummer & Vocalist.
  • Kayo: Until 2010 Kayo provided vocals, keyboard melodies and synth operations for the band. She is yet to be officially replaced; however, someone has to be playing those keyboards…

Years Active: 1997 – Present
Genre: New Wave/Synth Pop/Punk
Kaito’s Choice Tracks: “Electric Surfin’ Go Go” (2006), “Rocket” (2007) & “Everybody Say No” (2012)
Official greeting: Raising your arm and/or punching the air while shouting “Toisu!”

POLYSICS in their infamous orange suits with the members – including Kayo – organised alphabetically.

In an ideal world I would hand you a copy of the band’s entire 18 album back catalogue of “Technicolour Pop Punk” – as they call it – on blank discs, tell you to listen to everything, and claim every single one to be a “Choice Track”. However, someone out there would call that piracy, I would then be arrested, and POLYSICS would lose out on much deserved money. We don’t want that. So instead I just picked three tracks to share for now: My personal favourite, their newest release, and one chosen at random from their official Youtube page. Try to guess which is which!


POLYSICS turn to photography in the video for “Rocket”.

“Rocket” feels like a mash-up of POLYSICS’ two main styles: the verses feature the band’s melodic electronic side – featuring Kayo’s softer vocals – whereas the chorus features the high energy rock persona – where the main voice heard is Hayashi’s. On paper; it’s not a song that should work: The sharp contrasts between the two styles should make the song feel jarred and disjointed, but it’s just not the case with Rocket. Somehow POLYSICS make music that’s shouldn’t mix well work to their advantage.


Even after six years I still haven’t the foggiest about the video for “Electric Surfin’ Go Go”.

“Electric Surfin’ Go Go” was the song that turned me into a POLYSICS fan. It’s so optimistic, so energetic, so spirit lifting. It’s the kind of song that should play on a sunny day at the start of a trip or an adventure, or at the very least, it’s a song that makes you want to jump up and dance. Also, that funky bass solo.


Somebody make a .gif image of Hayashi’s headphone dancing. NOW.

“Everybody Say No” is the latest release from POLYSICS. (Crap! I’ve ruined that game, haven’t I?) It’s a real foot-tapper, proof that even though they’re a man down the band is still rocking on strong, which is good news, as I want to see more from the gang. However, the even better news is that the album “Weeeeeeeeee!!!” from which ”Everybody Say No” is taken will be available in the UK – on Compact Disc! – from the 10th of June. I’ve got my pre-order in. Have YOU?

More POLYSICS:
Official Site (English): http://www.polysics.com/en/
Facebook (Japanese & English): https://www.facebook.com/pages/POLYSICS/260419960659129
Twitter (99.9% Japanese): https://twitter.com/POLYSICS_TOISU
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/polysicsVEVO

Until next time!