AKB48

AKB48: 永遠プレッシャー [EIEN PRESSURE] [TYPE A]

I feel like I should begin this review by proclaiming that AKB48 is back, but, seriously, do they ever go away? Nope. Never. They're like the cockroaches of J-pop. OK, I'm kidding about cockroaches, but you get the idea -- try and try as some of their detractors might like to keep them down, they just keep on coming back, fighting harder and harder, and conquering the J-pop charts. And, hey, if their fans love them and buy their records, that's all that matters.

AKB48: UZA (TYPE B)

"Just use your imagination," says a male voice during the 44 second or so synth-laden, infectious intro to AKB48's latest masterpiece. There's also a delightful, hard-driving dance pop beat with lighter electro-pop beats on top of it. Then, just before they begin singing the first verse, another voice exclaims "1,2,3!"

You know you're a certified pop group when you can unleash a single without even singing during the first minute or so. (OK, actually, they do sing the word "UZA" once during the intro, but that's it until they start singing the first verse.)

YouTube Video: 

AKB48: 真夏の SOUNDS GOOD! [TYPE A]

AKB48 are continuing their tradition of releasing a bright, sunshiny song for summer with "真夏のSounds good!" [translation: "Summer Sounds Good!]. And, guess what? It does sound good! It's beach-ready, upbeat turbo pop. Nothing groundbreaking but if you're a mainstream J-pop aficionado then you're sure to find it irresistible. The B-side "3つの涙" [Google translation: "One Of Three Tears"] is actually even more infectious. It's faster, has a punchier beat and an even catchier melody. It could have easily been an A-side itself.