Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2010

Courtesy of Sony

Much like Johnny Depp shedding his teen idol image by making his first film with John Waters, Hangry & Angry (former J-pop idols with the girl group Morning Musume) have blown apart their bubblegum image with this layered, club-friendly release. Produced in collaboration with LA tunesmith/beatmaker Dan Merlot (a.k.a. Crash Berlin), the release as a whole has a much harder edge than the girls’ J-pop work. Standout grooves include the hypnotic “Lady Madonna” (not the Beatles song), “Kill Me Kiss Me (Crash Berlin version)” and opening cut “Mr. Monkey.” To tell the truth, it seems as if Hangry & Angry could really go somewhere if they would just drop the J-pop style vocals altogether and cut loose. The duo play at Shibuya O-East on January 30.

Hangry & Angry
Former Morning Musume members go clubbing. Jan 30, 6pm, ¥5,250. Shibuya O-East. Tel: Odyssey 03-5444-6966.