This is part of This Side of Japan issue #20. You can return to the main newsletter here.
Music Magazine published a list of 50 best Perfume songs for its October issue. Though I’ve not checked out the actual list myself, I’m very curious to see Perfume songs evaluated more through a critic’s perspective and which songs they gravitated towards. Inspired by their project, I put together my own 50 Best Perfume Songs list.
Perfume is my favorite music act, like ever. The explaining will get long, but just know that without them, I wouldn’t be writing about Japanese music in the first place. They hold a special, personal place for me so it’s only right that this list is personal first, objective last. I considered every song that saw official release, even “Omajinai Perori.”
“Electro World” (2006)
“Polyrhythm” (2007)
“Spring of Life (Album Mix)” (2013)
“One Room Disco” (2009)
“Flash” (2016)
“Mugen Mirai” (2018)
“My Color” (2011)
“Puppy Love” (2008)
“Laser Beam” (2011)
“Dream Fighter” (2008)
“Fake It” (2010)
“Game” (2008)
“Secret Secret” (2008)
“Glitter (Album Mix)” (2011)
“Perfect Star, Perfect Style” (2006)
“1mm” (2013)
“Computer City” (2006)
“Seventh Heaven” (2007)
“Toumei Ningen” (2015)
“Night Flight” (2009)
“Future Pop” (2018)
“Chocolate Disco” (2007)
“Pick Me Up” (2015)
“Nee” (2010)
“Edge (Triangle Mix)” (2009)
“Fushizen Na Girl” (2010)
“I Still Love U” (2009)
“Fusion” (2018)
“Butterfly” (2008)
“Macaroni” (2008)
“Dream Land” (2013)
“Time Warp” (2020)
“Spice” (2011)
“Saisei” (2019)
“Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow” (2007)
“Miracle Worker” (2016)
“Ijiwaru Na Hello” (2015)
“Magic of Love (Album Mix)” (2013)
“Point” (2012)
“Negai (Album Mix)” (2009)
“Hurly Burly” (2012)
“Sweet Refrain” (2013)
“The Best Thing” (2009)
“Clockwork” (2013)
“Houseki No Ame” (2017)
“Daijobanai” (2013)
“Nananananairo” (2019)
“Tokimeki Lights” (2015)
“Kasukana Kaori” (2011)
“Tokyo Girl” (2017)
You can check out previous issues of the newsletter here.
You can find me on Twitter. You can also contact me at ryomiyauchi9@gmail.com