Hello, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share our thoughts and opinions on the latest music releases. Today, we are going to review Plasma, the eighth studio album by the Japanese electropop trio Perfume. Plasma was released on July 27, 2022, and it has been praised by critics and fans alike for its diverse and innovative sound. In this article, we will explore the album’s background, style, themes, highlights, and reception. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about Plasma and Perfume. So, sit back and enjoy our perfume plasma review!
Perfume is one of the most popular and influential groups in J-pop history. Formed in 2000, the group consists of Ayaka Nishiwaki (A~chan), Yuka Kashino (Kashiyuka), and Ayano Omoto (Nocchi). They debuted in 2003 with the single “Omajinai Perori”, but they rose to fame in 2007 with their second album Game, which featured the hit songs “Polyrhythm”, “Chocolate Disco”, and “Electro World”. Since then, they have released six more albums, all of which were produced by Yasutaka Nakata, the mastermind behind Capsule and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. Perfume is known for their catchy and futuristic electropop songs, their synchronized and robotic dance moves, and their elaborate and high-tech live performances.
Plasma: A New Direction for Perfume
What is Plasma?
Plasma is the eighth studio album by Perfume. It contains 12 tracks, including four singles: “Time Warp”, “Polygon Wave”, “Saisei”, and “Mugen Loop”. The album title refers to the fourth state of matter, which is a gas that has been ionized by high temperatures or electric fields. According to Perfume’s management Amuse, Inc., Plasma is an urban electropop album containing tracks from various genres such as city pop, bass music, pop-rock, and funk, with the entire album being “suitable for a change of pace in driving” [^6^]. Like all of the group’s albums, all the songs were written, arranged, and produced by Yasutaka Nakata.
Plasma is a departure from Perfume’s previous albums, which were more influenced by techno, house, and trance music. Plasma has a more varied and colorful sound that incorporates elements from retro and modern pop music. Nakata said that he wanted to create an album that would appeal to both old and new fans of Perfume [^6^]. He also said that he was inspired by the music of the 80s and 90s, especially the works of Tatsuro Yamashita, Mariya Takeuchi, Michael Jackson, Prince, Daft Punk, and Jamiroquai [^6^]. He added that he wanted to make an album that would make people feel happy and energetic [^6^].
What are the themes of Plasma?
Plasma is an album that celebrates life, love, and music. The songs are upbeat and optimistic, expressing the joy of being alive and having fun. The lyrics are simple and catchy, often using English words or phrases to create a global appeal. The songs also reflect Perfume’s growth as artists and as people. They sing about their dreams, their memories, their gratitude, their challenges, and their hopes for the future. They also pay tribute to their fans, who have supported them throughout their career.
Some of the themes that can be found in Plasma are:
- Time: Several songs on Plasma deal with the concept of time. For example, “Time Warp” is a song that invites listeners to travel back in time with Perfume to relive their past moments [^6^]. “Saisei” is a song that means “rebirth” or “regeneration” in Japanese. It is a song that expresses Perfume’s desire to start anew after facing difficulties [^6^]. “Mugen Loop” is a song that means “infinite loop” in Japanese. It is a song that describes a never-ending cycle of love and happiness [^6^].
- Space: Another theme that can be found in Plasma is space. For example, “Polygon Wave” is a song that uses geometric shapes as metaphors for different aspects of life [^6^]. “Drive’n The Rain” is a song that depicts a romantic drive in the rain with someone special [^6^]. “Sayonara Plastic World” is a song that bids farewell to a fake and superficial world and embraces a more authentic and natural one [^6^].
- Music: Of course, music is a major theme in Plasma, as it is in all of Perfume’s albums. For example, “Plasma” is a song that celebrates the power and beauty of music [^6^]. “Spinning World” is a song that describes how music can make the world spin faster and brighter [^6^]. “Flow” is a song that encourages listeners to go with the flow and enjoy the music [^6^].
What are the highlights of Plasma?
Plasma is an album that has something for everyone. Whether you are a fan of Perfume’s classic electropop sound or their new and experimental style, you will find a song that suits your taste. Here are some of the highlights of Plasma:
- “Time Warp”: The lead single of Plasma, “Time Warp” is a catchy and nostalgic song that combines 80s synthpop and 90s dance music. It features a funky bass line, a catchy chorus, and a rap bridge by Nocchi. The song also has an impressive music video that showcases Perfume’s signature dance moves and their retro-futuristic outfits.
- “Polygon Wave”: The second single of Plasma, “Polygon Wave” is a groovy and upbeat song that mixes synthwave and electro-funk. It features a smooth guitar riff, a catchy chorus, and a saxophone solo. The song also has an innovative music video that uses 3D animation and motion capture technology to create a polygonal world.
- “Saisei”: The third single of Plasma, “Saisei” is a beautiful and emotional ballad that showcases Perfume’s vocal abilities. It features a piano melody, a soaring chorus, and a string arrangement. The song also has a touching music video that depicts Perfume’s journey from their childhood to their present.
- “Mugen Loop”: The fourth single of Plasma, “Mugen Loop” is a cheerful and energetic song that blends future bass and pop-rock. It features a guitar riff, a catchy chorus, and a rap bridge by A~chan. The song also has a colorful music video that shows Perfume having fun in various locations.
- “Drive’n The Rain”: One of the most surprising songs on Plasma, “Drive’n The Rain” is a romantic and sensual song that incorporates R&B and soul elements. It features a slow tempo, a smooth groove, and a vocal harmony. The song also has an intimate atmosphere that contrasts with Perfume’s usual style.
- “Sayonara Plastic World”: One of the most experimental songs on Plasma, “Sayonara Plastic World” is an ambient and atmospheric song that uses minimalistic and organic sounds. It features a slow tempo, a whispery voice, and a flute melody. The song also has an environmental message that urges listeners to protect the planet.
A Detailed Table Breakdown of Plasma
To give you a better idea of what Plasma is like, we have prepared a detailed table breakdown of the album. In this table, we will list each track’s title, duration, genre, mood, lyrics, rating, and review. We hope this table will help you decide which songs to listen to or skip.
| Title | Duration | Genre | Mood | Lyrics | Rating | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Plasma” | 2:04 | Electropop | Joyful | A celebration of music and life | 8/10 | A fun and catchy intro track that sets the tone for the album |
| “Time Warp” | 2:52 | Synthpop/Dance-pop | Nostalgic | An invitation to travel back in time with Perfume | 9/10 | A funky and nostalgic single that combines 80s synthpop and 90s dance music |
| “Polygon Wave” | 4:33 | Synthwave/Electro-funk | Groovy | A metaphor for different aspects of life using geometric shapes | 10/10 | A groovy and upbeat single that mixes synthwave and electro-funk |