Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2009
Ki/oon
The ongoing ’80s electro/punk/new wave revival has so thoroughly penetrated pop music that it’s hard to believe that, when Polysics first started ten years ago, they sounded innovative. The ‘Devo of Japan’ no longer come off as fresh, but as Absolute Polysics again demonstrates, none of their revivalist peers can match them for sheer manic intensity. Launching with the hyperactive techno of “P,” the album takes in goofy, frenetic J-pop (“Young OH! OH!”), stop-start candy punk (“Bero Bero”), and complete and utter freakout (“Wasabi”). When you consider that founder Hiroyuki Hayashi is still barely 31, it’s safe to say that Polysics’ self-styled “Technicolor pogo punk” will be around for some time yet.
“Real Tokyo New Wave”
Japanese new wavers Polysics and Yolz in the Sky. Oct 20, 6:30pm, ¥3,000 (adv)/¥3,500 (door). Loft, Shinjuku. Tel: 03-5272-0382.
