A Japanese, and female, David Bowie
This fantastic and hugely popular Japanese artist had been under my radar all these years, until I saw her new video on Beehype last week. I am now on a journey of discovery through her former work and it is very exciting.
Shiina Ringo (her real name is Shiina Yumiko) has been scoring hits in Japan since the end of the 20the century and seems to be able to lift main-stream J-pop (which I usually find utterly depressing) to a level that justifies comparisons with pop gods like David Bowie.
Like Bowie, she’s an eclectic mixing pop and rock and, in Ringo’s case also jazz and big band, with traditional Japanese music and notably avant garde theatre, incorporating the latest in underground pop music. The song above has contributions by at least one rapper whose distinct voice I recognize from that great 2014 Sion Sono film Tokyo Tribe.
What a great artist! And once again thank you, Beehype, for showcasing all this wonderful pop from all over the world. (PB)





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