This is the type of thing I like finding on the 'Nets. As I've said numerous times, I've always been fascinated by Christmas music from other countries.
For some, this is going to be too Pop, for others not Pop enough. But it's basically your standard J-Pop style--soulful Bubblegum, really--but leaning a tad toward Indie Pop. I don't know a thing about lulu, but Mikeneko Homeless are a Techno Dance outfit from Tokyo. Every so often, they'll write a tune requiring a more romantic vibe and they'll team up with one young vocalist or another, usually an unknown. Such was the case when Mikeneko Homeless handed the keys to the kingdom to lulu for "Watermelon" earlier this year. The song was immensely popular and the band brought lulu back in the handle vocals for their Christmas record, "This Christmas Lovely Day".
"This Christmas Lovely Day" is essentially about a long distance relationship. It seems the two can only get together on Christmas Eve. Well, in a relationship like that, it's hard to completely enjoy the moment because every thought is accompanied by the certain knowledge that the object of your affection is leaving again. In fact, the pair just got together and they're already walking to the train station where he'll leave her again. That bastard! And she doesn't want to say anything (like, you know, "don't leave") because she doesn't want to upset him (apparently they've fought about work getting in the way of the relationship before). It's cold, so she slips her hand in her pocket and...dang if there isn't a ring. That bastard!
I'm a little lost on how the whole thing ended. It sounds like he gets on the train and he's looking for her on the platform when a hand grabs his arm from behind...and its her, surprising him; she's on the train and going with him (for a day, at least). But it isn't all that clear to me. It's all in Japanese, of course, and I barely speak English. Here's their translation:
Waving from platform, my hand drawn by you
I’m taken in your arms before I realise it
you smiling at my face surprising on a bumpy train
as we knew before the story started, tomorrow is an accidental holiday
And here's the Google translation:
Waving from home I dragged a hand
Imperceptibly in your arm
surprised laugh to see my face on the train swaying
as I knew from the beginning, tomorrow accidentally holiday
Anyway, lulu and Mikeneko Homeless are on Maltine Records, an Internet label, and, for the moment, they have the entire "This Christmas Lovely Day" EP--which includes "Watermelon", numerous remixes, and more--available as a free download (just hit the button that says "download" on the right hand side). I'm partial to the Hercelot Remix, myself, which is more of a club mix. How long it remains free, I couldn't tell you, but its up there now. Everybody needs some J-Pop in their collection and, as its free, this one is as good a place to start as any.
For some, this is going to be too Pop, for others not Pop enough. But it's basically your standard J-Pop style--soulful Bubblegum, really--but leaning a tad toward Indie Pop. I don't know a thing about lulu, but Mikeneko Homeless are a Techno Dance outfit from Tokyo. Every so often, they'll write a tune requiring a more romantic vibe and they'll team up with one young vocalist or another, usually an unknown. Such was the case when Mikeneko Homeless handed the keys to the kingdom to lulu for "Watermelon" earlier this year. The song was immensely popular and the band brought lulu back in the handle vocals for their Christmas record, "This Christmas Lovely Day".
"This Christmas Lovely Day" is essentially about a long distance relationship. It seems the two can only get together on Christmas Eve. Well, in a relationship like that, it's hard to completely enjoy the moment because every thought is accompanied by the certain knowledge that the object of your affection is leaving again. In fact, the pair just got together and they're already walking to the train station where he'll leave her again. That bastard! And she doesn't want to say anything (like, you know, "don't leave") because she doesn't want to upset him (apparently they've fought about work getting in the way of the relationship before). It's cold, so she slips her hand in her pocket and...dang if there isn't a ring. That bastard!
I'm a little lost on how the whole thing ended. It sounds like he gets on the train and he's looking for her on the platform when a hand grabs his arm from behind...and its her, surprising him; she's on the train and going with him (for a day, at least). But it isn't all that clear to me. It's all in Japanese, of course, and I barely speak English. Here's their translation:
Waving from platform, my hand drawn by you
I’m taken in your arms before I realise it
you smiling at my face surprising on a bumpy train
as we knew before the story started, tomorrow is an accidental holiday
And here's the Google translation:
Waving from home I dragged a hand
Imperceptibly in your arm
surprised laugh to see my face on the train swaying
as I knew from the beginning, tomorrow accidentally holiday
Anyway, lulu and Mikeneko Homeless are on Maltine Records, an Internet label, and, for the moment, they have the entire "This Christmas Lovely Day" EP--which includes "Watermelon", numerous remixes, and more--available as a free download (just hit the button that says "download" on the right hand side). I'm partial to the Hercelot Remix, myself, which is more of a club mix. How long it remains free, I couldn't tell you, but its up there now. Everybody needs some J-Pop in their collection and, as its free, this one is as good a place to start as any.
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