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| By Gene Wang via Wikimedia Commons |
I'm starting to get those Arashi（嵐）retired/not retired vibes when it comes to the group Perfume. Up to now, I'd gotten the distinct impression that Nocchi, Kashiyuka, and A-chan were on an indefinite hiatus after spending a quarter century with each other, mostly creating technopop treats for the masses. Well, I know now that Arashi has officially retired, but I should have reminded myself that "indefinite hiatus" doesn't mean "permanent retirement".
In fact, when I finally read the fine print of their current status, Perfume stated that they were entering a phase of "cold sleep", and when the time is right, they will return as a different form of Perfume. And interestingly enough, to emphasize the point, Perfume and songwriter/producer Yasutaka Nakata（中田ヤスタカ）put out the group's latest digital single "Cold Sleep" on May 15th.
Quite the bubbly and percolating Perfume song with some nostalgic synths (and some nicely syncopated vocals, to boot) for a group that is supposed to be in cold sleep, the ladies seem to be trying very hard to make sure their fans don't forget their old selves and style. "Cold Sleep" is also supposed to be the theme song for an upcoming documentary commemorating their 25 years in show business.
Perfume's change to contemporary electronic dance music for their earlier post-Shibuya-kei sound will always be shocking to me. They used to sound a little like the early Morning Musume, but now they are known for a much more techno sound. Anyway, I hope all the member of Perfume will get some much need rest after 25 years.
ReplyDeleteHello, Brian. Yeah, I think at least one of the members is either engaged or already married, so perhaps the change in family situation had something to do with the hiatus.
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