Release Date: 2010.07.07

Too many Japanese albums these days do not have the right amount of variety to keep me remotely interested. And when they do, they usually turn out to be too chaotic, thus turning me off and unintentionally becoming a hot mess. And while those certain artists who stick to one extreme on that spectrum will remain unnamed for the time being, I still had a hell of a time finding new albums that provide enough creativity for that godly balance. However, my search has come to an abrupt end as I have found the album that should tide me over for quite sometime. Need some spicing-up in your musical love life? Look no further than true artist SAWA’s debut album, “Welcome to Sa-World“. I had known about SAWA since her last mini-album, “Ai ni Iku yo“, but nothing had interested me hardcore until now.

Every song, from the lounge-turned-disco glam electro of pumping opening “MerryGoRound” to the subdued ending, “Dream about…“, has something new to offer any listener. Don’t like Japanese? Have no yearn to listen to urban pop? Even the downright nasal quality of SAWA’s voice has a charm to it that can appeal to someone. Don’t believe me? As

Need a map to SAWA's brain? Let this guide you.

much a dance, pop-spastic album as it is philosophical, “Welcome to Sa-World” is literally a look into the thought process and creative inner workings of SAWA’s mind, both an extremely interesting concept for an album and a thorough, non half-assed explanation for the styles presented. There’s a cute little “Opening Ceremony” that introduces the person SAWA, the “Chocolate Zone” is the emotions of her brain, the “Danger Zone“, as noted in the title, is the cautionary, “crazy” side to SAWA. And last but not least, the “Live in Sa-World” corner of her mind is her bubbly optimism come to fruition. It’s not necessary to understand the thinking behind this somewhat bizarre backstory, but it works and certainly makes the rollercoaster ride into Sa-World much more enjoyable.

In fact, since every song on this album (with the possible, subjective exception of “Dream about…“) sounds like extremely superb single material, you may forget that you’re listening to a debut album, and instead find yourself hearing a best-of. At the very least, this is one of the more creative mainstream (-ish) pop albums of 2010. “Planet-T” is the knockout electronic track I’ve heard in a while. Uptempo synths and wild energies equal pure bliss on my growing favorite right here. “NightBus” is a cheerful 90s house-inspired Madonna throwback, with a rushing, traveling feel that fits the album perfectly. A lyric-writing siren hums to herself as the album transcends into a big OMFG! moment with the hallmark golden child of the album, “Throw him away!“, which is short, substantial, and a shibuya-kei modern piece. The verses, the chorus, everything is such a nostalgic trigger for me as a listener of early capsule, Kahimi Karie, and Pizzicato Five, among others. SAWA also shows her influences greatly, but instead of having them overcome her, she adds her own special twist to each track, making each more memorable with the last. She even travels into early Nintendo world with “I’m a president“. You have to love her for that, at least. “Swimming Dancing” is actually accentuated by the album, and “Friday Night” as the reprieve couldn’t have been a better choice. She puts these J-R&B hoes to shame, and if she ever decided to make a full R&B album, I would support her 100% (are you listening Nishino?!).

These tracks are amazing at the least, but they aren’t perfect. I can admit that. Some tracks throw a big WTF in your face at times, others are extremely bipolar and while everyone can find something they like about this album, many people won’t like all of it. Still…

Welcome to the Sa-World!

★★★★★½

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