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CMU Approved
Approved: Passepied
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 28 October 2014
Mixing an almost unwieldy number of styles – disco, electro-pop, rock and funk to name just four – Passepied headlined the second night of last week’s Tokyo International Music Market. Despite the extensive array of influences, they hold together their dance-friendly sound with apparent ease, as vocalist Natsuki Ogoda coolly delivers her vocals over the top.
Usually hidden behind the impressive animations of their frontwoman in their videos, Passepied’s live performances are the only time anyone is allowed to see their faces (something much easier to control in Japan, where if you ask people not to post pictures on social media they won’t). Ogoda, dressed in a red and white tunic, cuts a striking image in person that matches her striking vocal delivery – some might say the high pitched sound that emits from her lungs is an acquired taste, but the shock passes as the smart rhythms and arrangements of the band’s songs cut through.
Yesterday I talked about final night TIMM headliner Sakanaction’s concerns about finding an international audience when all of their lyrics are in Japanese. This is clearly something that has crossed Passepied’s mind too, and four albums into their career they’ve just released their first English language EP on iTunes, re-recording four songs from their latest album, ‘Makonouichi-ism’.
It’s probably a step in the right direction for international expansion, but at first attempt it feels like something has been lost in translation. Passepied’s sound is intelligent and complex, and issues with pronunciation and lines that don’t quite scan undermine that somewhat. The sheer strength of the songs does keep them afloat, but currently I’m happy to stick with the originals.
But, hey, why not make your own mind up; here are the Japanese and English versions ‘Tokyo City Underground, plus, for good measure, the original of ‘Makonouichi-ism’ standout track ‘Matatabistep’ and the band’s latest video release for the English version of ‘Tokyo City Underground’ (the original of which you’ll find here).
