Japanese Popstars, The
We Just Are
There are some things in this world that, for whatever reason, need not be explained. For example, hunger is just as intuitive to people as the rules of Connect Four (why they even have printed rules is beyond all understanding). Well, The Japanese Popstars’ music is good and it really needs no explaining but since we are here, might as well give it a shot anyway. Sure, these three electro-craftsmen aren’t Japanese’they’re from Ireland’but being popstars still isn’t out of the question. With We Just Are, a few things are evident: they have an uncanny ability to make six-eight minute long tracks that feel like one track without getting tired and that they use really, really good drum sounds. “Sample Whore” is a wonderful way to kick things off after the intro as ping-ponging ray guns are interlaced with ping-ponging lady-moans and almost xylophonic keyboard stabs. And tha’s another thing that The Japanese Popstars are really good at: using sounds that fit perfectly but are freakishly familiar. Remember those plastic rods that make the weird morphing, wailing noise when turned upside-down? If not, no need to panic because “Face Melter” will definitely jog the memory. Ever wanted to hear hordes of Gameboys go to war and crush each other to bits? Good! “Rise of Ulysses” actually sounds a lot like that. Anybody who makes electronic music has to know how to make a song progress (switch-ups, escalations, breakdowns) but sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s the same song when everything is said and done. With this trio, everything is congruent and it isn’t really a challenge. It isn’t necessary to ask how The Japanese Popstars became such a well-oiled techno machine’they kinda just are.
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