Idol Watch #2 - March & April 2020

A round-up of some of the best idol singles from the past two months, featuring 22/7, Lyrical School and more, plus a look into a decade of Momoiro Clover Z's breakout single

Hello! Welcome to Idol Watch, a bi-monthly companion newsletter to This Side of Japan that’s all about Japanese idols! You can check out the previous round-up here.

Momoiro Clover made their major-label debut a decade ago with “Ikuze! Kaito Shojo.” The idol group’s leap to Universal J was supposed to introduce them to the masses after grinding in the indie circuit for a few years, touring in spots like parking lots of electronic stores. While their big break came a little later after their first album, 2011’s Battle and Romance, won the annual CD Shop Award, “Kaito Shojo” remains their signature live-show anthem 10 years later.

About three years ago, “Ikuze!” introduced me to so many things I now love about Japanese idol music. There was its restless pace set by Hyadain and his kitchen-sink production. And of course, there was the members of Momoiro Clover, who traded lines with each other as speedy as the music, with one sometimes interjecting another mid-sentence. The idols had to be fast. After all, they declared themselves a band of thieves—kaito shojo—moving swift while plotting to steal the crown jewel: your heart.

Though it’s told through a cute metaphor of thieves disguised as high-school students, like they are a crew of magical girls, Momoiro Clover’s reality sounds exhaustively busy. The group had the tag line of “weekend heroines” for a reason: they were students during the weekdays and worked as idols on Saturdays and Sundays. “There’s no time for homework,” one of them sings as they all meet to resume their idol activities after the final bell. It’s impressive they had time during their actual lives to do anything at all.

The single’s narrative shines emblematic of not just Momoiro Clover’s history but also of all idols tirelessly working to win a crowd. “With our smiles and our voices, let’s light up the world,” the group shouts in the chorus. Idols invest their formative years dedicating their livelihood to fulfill a simple goal of bringing joy and happiness to fans all across the nation. That deep commitment to their mission as heard in “Ikuze!” attracted me most to the single, the group and later the entire culture that informs the song.

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We got an exciting batch of new singles by idol groups from March and April. Like the main newsletter, I decided to add a See Also section to each pick so you can listen to even more idol songs. I tried my best to give recommendations that are similar in vibe to the attached songs, but please also understand that you have to really step back to find a group that’s doing something remotely similar to Bed In. Enjoy!

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“Muzui” by 22/7 [Sony]

“A mysterious letter addressed to Miyu Takizawa arrived at her entertainment agency, G.I.P. As if they were led by fate, eight other girls were gathered,” reads the synopsis of the first episode of 22/7’s new anime series. From that excerpt as well as their opening track, the “digital seiyuu” group’s new single “Muzui,” the show seems like half origin story, half music-industry conspiracy thriller. (I’ve yet to watch an episode.) “Muzui” exploits the drama of their dark backstory with a maudlin string arrangement. Their mid-song dialogues—”I don’t know where I am,” one of the idols sigh—feels inspired by Keyakizaka46, who provides 22/7 with a solid template for brooding, self-tortured idol-pop.

Muzui is out now. Listen to the single on Spotify.

See also: “3-2” by HKT48; “Diamond Dust” by Manaminorisa

“We Are BED IN” by Bed In [Space Shower Music]

“We Are BED IN” is more of an updated mission statement than an introduction as the duo have been kicking Bubble-era nostalgia since 2012, but their unofficial theme song nevertheless functions as a proper intro for newcomers. If the shiny keyboard lines and the flamboyant guitars didn’t make their throwback concept loud and clear, Kaori Masukodera enters the building with vocals like a glam-metal diva: “with an eye like Medusa, with my hair slicked back,” goes her opening line, pretty much nailing her leather-clad Bubble character. They’re knowingly obnoxious, but you can’t help but gravitate towards their full commitment to the bit.

Rock is out now. Listen to the mini album on Spotify.

See also: “Can’t Stop Me Ism” by Anthrium; “Again” by Neo Japonism

“Kimi Wa Happou Sutiro-ru Girl” by Flood Lyrics [Aztic Music]

The scrappy feel of Flood Lyrics’s pop punk gives the single a roughed-up charm, providing the rookie group with some character. (Same could be said about their low budget music video.) The lyrics, though, strikes an interesting enough concept to suggest they don’t intend to get by just on charm alone. “There’s nothing inside, hollow, empty,” they sing in the chorus about the titular “Styrofoam girl,” who gets by covering up her lack via Instagram filters, literal or metaphorical.

Kimi Wa Happou Sutiro-ru Girl is out now. Listen to it on Spotify.

See also: “Jounetsu Revolver” by Tenko Shoujo*; “Limitless” by Vandarize

“Ex/cla/ma/tion/!!” by SAKA-SAMA [Trash-Up!!]

A pivot from soft city pop into vicious, high-BPM gabber was not what I predicted for the next step of SAKA-SAMA, but here we are. Mizuho and Kokone sound unfazed by the drastic change of scenery, though. The two tame the chaotic rave music as how they see fit, not the other way around. While their voices get slightly digitized like a side effect of music’s techno terror in the verses, the chorus remains tender as the duo’s other songs with its ties to ‘80s idol pop shining clear.

Ex/cla/ma/tion!! is out now. Listen to it on Spotify.

See also: “Sakura Ni Nacchauzo!” by Qumali Depart; “Aikahigurashi” by Seireki13ya

“Sukitte Itteyo” by Juice=Juice [Up-Front Works]

“If I said ‘I love you’/ I don’t want ‘thank you,’” the idols of Juice=Juice sing in the chorus of “Sukitte Itteyo.” While it’s frustrating enough to imagine hearing such a negligent response from a supposed partner, the Hello! Project group efficiently builds up the tension so that the climactic chorus hits with deep fervor and desperation. The idols remains cool while taking the scenic route through the clavinet riff and funk horns. The way they really indulge in the melody leading up to the chorus is a memorable stretch as much as what follows.

Pop Music/Sukitte Itteyo is out now.

See also: “2484” by POMERO; “Magic All Night” by Sandal Telephone

“Toutoshi Anata No Subetewo” by RAY [Distorted]

For their latest shoegaze pop, RAY invite Hata Yusuke from veteran Japanese shoegaze act Cryuff in the Bedroom to contribute. “Toutoshi Anata No Subetewo” carries with it a more mellow drift compared to the rushing cuts of last year’s Blue EP. But the slower pace only lets the idols’ tender emotions bloom into a more powerful force as they remain transfixed admiring their “precious one.”

Pink is out now. Listen to the album on Spotify.

See also: “Afterglow” by Yanakoto Sotto Mute

“Z” by Kimi To Boku No Kakumei [M’aiday]

Kimi To Boku No Kakumei’s punk blitz is over in a flash—50 seconds to be exact. With their voice muffled like they’re screaming from a makeshift megaphone, the idols shout about charging through all the relationship bullshit that seems to come in cycles. Fast and slapdash hasn’t been their main mode of operation, but the pummeling drums and scrawled guitar riffs inspire a fun rowdiness from the group.

“Z/Rain Before Dawn” is out now. Listen to it on Spotify.

See also: “Rebel Rebel” by Raymay

“OK!” by Lyrical School [Victor]

An emphasis on fun from Lyrical School is practically a given with the best of their rapping just consistently glowing from their joy of the craft. The five continue to explore new methods to entertain in “OK” with Risano tackling some irregular flows. But as much as they put on a fun-first attitude, the idols also acknowledge that ignoring the noise can be a nearly impossible task right now. “OK” is a way for the group to cope, too, and they try their best to get over their own issues through sheer energy and determination. Lucky for us, Lyrical School make bouncing back looks easy.

OK!!!!! EP is out now. Listen to it on Spotify.

See also: “Springs” by Los An Jewels; “SEEYOU (Let’s Dance)” by Mic Raw Ruga

“Ordinary” by EMPiRE [Avex Trax]

EMPiRE rub off the glitter in “Ordinary” after an overt pop makeover. The song strips away the electronics, pretties up the guitars and clears up a vast amount of space until a soft acoustic strum faintly sparkles like distant stardust. The idols invite you into their private space with the members assuring it’s OK to hole up from the outside world for a little while. “Even if today arrives, can I keep taking it easy,” Maho EMPiRE sings in the chorus, “Even if that gets tiring, I can walk again/ maybe we don’t have to do today.” “Ordinary” then climaxes with a soaring guitar riff extracted from the peak points of post-rock’s emotional guitar marathons.

Ordinary/ is out now. Listen to it on Spotify.

See also: “Tomorrow” by BiSH

“POP-LA” by Caeca [T-Palette]

Caeca’s songs feel like you’re eavesdropping on a sunny tune coming through the walls from the music class next door. While the idols mix up acapella with the twee pop familiar to the T-Palette roster—Sayonara Ponytail comes to mind as peers—producer Sakurai Kenta adds even more whimsy in “POP-LA” with his signature toybox sounds like the flat horns and twinkling harpsichords. The group aim for the sincere, extending an invitation to feel the magic of music together. “Let’s sing an unbelievable song/ Let’s let it spread to the world,” they sing in the chorus. Closing out their latest mini album, Hanauta, “POP-LA” also echoes as Caeca’s grand mission statement.

Hanauta is out now. Listen to it on Spotify.

See also: “Main Street Wa Asa 7ji” by Mellow Mellow; “Nice Pose” by RYUTist

See you in June! You can check out January and February’s round-up here.