Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2009

Courtesy of Mini Muff

The third album from mummy-obsessed garage punks The Mirraz is not recommended for epileptics: the tumultuous tunes are the sonic equivalent of a high-speed strobe attack. Like a juiced-up Arctic Monkeys crossed with a more shambolic Strokes, The Mirraz’ music is fast and frayed, a hyperactive sugar-rush over which Shohei Hatakeyama spits rapid-fire lyrics more rambled than sung. “Fake or real… A-cup or B-cup… Indie or major… It’s all the same,” he blurts in Japanese on “Nandatte Ii,” oozing a palpable irreverence and swagger that is infectious. Opening track “Check It out! Check It out! Check It out! Check It out!” perfectly sets out the band’s stall of deceptively simple garage punk, and despite a few momentum-sapping moments, this flavor permeates the disc and imbues it with charm. Check out the group’s videos online for further immersion into their gloriously chaotic world.