Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

                                           Tsukema Tsukeru EP

                                                     8.8/10

                                                 iPod Worthy 

I usually don’t review small EPs with just three or four tracks but I’ll make an exception for J-pop super star Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and her latest EP Tsukema Tsukeru. Last month, the high-energy singer dropped a music video for the self-titled single. It wasn’t as powerful or explosively cute as the breakthrough “PONPONPON” but it still held its own and I enjoyed it a whole lot. 

The b-side to the single titled “Kyary Anan” is on par with the stuff found on Pamyu’s 2011’s mini album Moshi Moshi Harajuku (which was recently placed as my 9th favorite album of the year). It is an infectious cut with metallic drumming and Pamyu chanting her name over and over. Things are taken to the next level with an unexpected but killer dark-“surfer” guitar solo.

Then there is the “Cherry Bon Bon (Extended Mix).” The original track was found on the mini album and was one of the best things there, so it’s a pleasure to have it on this EP as it is something I’ll never get sick of hearing. Unfortunately, the “extended mix” doesn’t really do much to elevate or change the song up. In fact, it pretty much just sounds like the original version save for some more synths at the epic begging and some added drums and cowbells. This could have been a pretty epic remix (ie: “PONPONPON (Extended Mix)”) but the track feels slapped together and just something extra to add on to the EP to make it fuller. Nevertheless, as I said, “Cherry Bon Bon” is fantastic so I don’t really mind hearing it again here.

Hopefully this EP means that KPP is working on something new and will release another mini album or a full-length in 2012. With the help of her genius producer Yasutaka Nakata (Perfume, Capsule) I can only imagine it being another incredible pleasure and a collection of outstanding tunes.

Listen to the EP’s standout “Kyary Anan” below: