Make Believe Mailer Vol. 44: An Argument Between...Me...About Hoshino Gen's "Idea"
Left Brain: You aren't seriously considering writing about this goofy Hoshino Gen single, are you?
Right Brain: Why wouldn't I? The whole point of what goes on in this newsletter and in, like, everything I do is to offer a snapshot of what is actually happening in Japanese music. And Hoshino Gen's right up there in the discussion for most popular artist going right now. Dude is basically a Johnny's talent with personal autonomy and without the stink, jumping between acting, commercials and his own music. He made a song about Doraemon, that's some hollowed ground right there. Anything he does is worthy of attention on a pure "people are interested in this level."
LB: That's rich coming from someone who hates how music media has turned into tabloid gossip and a constant rush to write about whatever gets the most "engagement." Who cares? You aren't twisting yourself to write about Sexy Zone, but they are super popular. Is this just because he hung out with a puppet?
RB: You have a good point, but I guess what makes me intrigued about this "Idea" is that it strikes me as the most ambitious J-pop single in years. Like yeah, Sexy Zone has mainstream success, but their music often feels secondary to that. When I first heard this Gen song, I thought "oh here we go again, more dinner theater pop with a side of twang." He doesn't need to do anything else. Yet then he pivots towards this electronic thing, and then switches it up again to an acoustic guitar stretch before getting back to his bread and butter. He has no reason to mix things up in this way. But it's still selling digital copies like crazy. How many Hoshino Gen fans have never even seen an MPC before?
LB: Now that's the cynicism I expect from you. OK, cool, he's doing a bunch of different things in one song. That's not new. And more importantly -- is it even good? Hoshino Gen could insert a 10 minute juke section into this and it would still end up sounding like Oricon bait.
RB: You're right, the idea of sudden switches into different styles isn't new...but show me a bigger J-pop star trying this right now. I'd love a reality where KOM_I is selling out domes, but we aren't there yet. "Idea" the song...yeah, it's a little thornier. Gen has this incredible ability to come up with great ideas and then mar them with bad choruses -- "Sun" is a pleasant bit of breezy disco-pop, but then that hook gunks it up. "Koi" comes closest to being sturdy, and even then something feels just off, it's underwhelming. I am hesitant making blanket statements about J-pop...but those choruses sound very J-pop.
LB: Oh I see. You gravitate to this because he switches it up enough where he never has to worry about a real chorus. Sounds like a cop out to me....at least he can't put a commercial in the middle of the video.
RB: I mean...yes? "Idea" does work because it juggles so many ideas he can't cruise. I'm no fan of guys strumming away on acoustic guitars...but I actually really like the electronic section smack dab in the middle of the song. I'm not going to pretend he's pulling a Denki Groove or anything, but it's sturdier than most J-pop attempts at replicating contemporary dance music. On his radio show last week, he broke down "Idea," and it's fascinating to go over. Gen mentions future bass, and brings up Chance The Rapper as being particularly inspirational for this. He brought he the beatmaker Stuts for that MPC part, which is nice attention to detail. And they come up with some clever touches that I wish other producers would try -- it's a cute detail having the guitar and strings get caught up in the breakdown.
LB: Oh totally man, let's just give Gen a Dommune session now. It's obvious all of your interest in this song lies in this electronic passage. If he had opted for a bluegrass interlude or...god forbid...a ska get-down, you'd be calling for Hoshino Gen to be indicted.
RB: You are probably right on that. But that only strengthens my case...he's actually introducing an interesting style into J-pop, which will reach a lot of people not normally seeking out these sounds. He's going to perform this on Music Station, and it's going to be weird.
LB: I've got a question for you...what's your favorite album of the year so far? And why is that?
RB: That would be Metome's Dialect. To rehash, listening to it brings back memories of an electronic music community that had this really white-hot and incredible moment, but one which inevitably faded as...oh...oh no I see what you are doing here.
LB: All of your favorite music this year -- Japanese or otherwise -- hits you in some nostalgic way, and isn't really scratching the mainstream. That's why you are ready to declare October a holiday for all the new Taquwami on the way, and even that Pasocom Music Club album sticks around because it feels like pre-Maltine tofubeats. You clearly are hungering for different times, and you have a bend towards scenes away from the mainstream. Which...seeing as we are the same person...makes sense, since major labels and the music they've put out all over have bummed you out this year. So what about "Idea" is worth celebrating? Isn't it just a pop industry absorbing more interesting things? Is Stuts standing in the back of a music video as good as it gets?
RB: Look, these are all valid points, and I would be lying if I said this hasn't rattled around after being initially charmed by this song when it dropped. Cynically, I think I've just made peace with this is how music goes -- the fact Stuts can pop up in the clip is kind of a victory, they could have just left him in the studio. But I still have some optimism, and I think at a time when music is really controlled by those at the top, letting flashes of something else -- even just MPC beats! -- could be the gateway for somebody out there. And that's why "Idea" sticks with me, it easily could be content with doing Gen again, but uses its position to do something different!
LB: We aren't going to find sturdy ground on this one, at least not yet. So let's agree on two things: one, music writing could use more gimmicks. And two, this cover of Da Pump's "U.S.A." in the style of Tatsuro Yamashita deserves a genius grant.
RB: I'm glad we can find some common ground.
News And Views
Electronic artist Cuushe shared details about harassment she faced from the electronic artist Ametsub. It's a harrowing read, and among the many gross details is the fact the festival Taicoclub -- technically done after this year though the people beyond it will host something else next year -- allowed Ametsub to play this year's gathering They apologized, kinda.
Vice Japan made a good video about Yesterday Once More, one of the best dance collectives in Japan.
Jurina Matsui is sick, and after dropping out Produce 48 (note: SO MUCH TO GO OVER ON THIS) she also had to step away from the AKB48 single she had won the right to be center in via annual election. The solution? Create a CGI Jurina and also throw in some drawings of her. Creative way to make this happen, or eerie precedent of being able to replace idols with digi versions of themselves? Time will tell!
Ryuchell, the influencer, found himself the target of internet criticism this week after getting his wife and newborn son's name tattooed on his body. He responded with a heartfelt response on Instagram. Less endearing, he also released a song about his baby.
Ryo has a list of J-pop worth diving into from the second quarter of 2018.
Have you ever wanted to hear Mac DeMarco sing in Japanese? Here ya go.
Finally, Namie Amuro keeps on crushing it, even with less than a month to go before retirement. The live DVD for her final concert is already the best selling music DVD ever...despite not being out yet. More importantly, she gets to appear on the anime One Piece.
Oricon Trail For The Week Of August 13, 2018 To August 19, 2018
Single side is Keyakizaka46, while the album side sees Perfume go to the top with Future Pop. But the most interesting inclusion comes in at #19 via the debut album of a virtual YouTuber...that is just Bool (who dabbled in the genre "poemcore") for Virgin Babylon Records. What a world!
Perfume's GAME (33 1/3)
My entry in the 33 1/3 Japan series is out now! Get a copy at Bloomsbury or Amazon. Or at Kinokuniya bookstores in the US. I was going to write thoughts on Perfume's new album, but this is too long, gotta tune in next week, assuming I don't forget about it like last week!
Look At Me!
Went to Summer Sonic, wrote about it for The Japan Times. This is actually why I couldn't write this mail last week.
Finally got to bring my obsession with TikTok to The Japan Times in this week's Pulse. Shout out La Bouche, shout out the 40 year olds ruining the platform already.
Last week's Pulse...nuclear statues.
Blog highlights: Fuji Chao, Atomic Bomb Compilation, Harunemuri
Written by Patrick St. Michel (patrickstmichel@gmail.com)
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