- CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
- Van Morrison "Astral Weeks" 1968 (UK - Northern Ireland)
Meanwhile, from 21st century Japan - Mirin, Risa, Eimi, Nemu, Moga and "Pinky!" are the nerd-girl idol band Dempagumi.inc! (That was the classic lineup from 2012-2017 anyway; they've since replaced two members.) We end the show this week with a couple of their more melodic songs, including their biggest Japanese hit to date "Even If Tomorrow's Earth Becomes A Child" (with one of their least-wacky "normal girl" videos). Something I appreciate very much about Dempagumi.inc is that their records sound like they are played by actual musicians not just "computer beats": here's a fun concert clip showing off their high-energy choreography in front of a live band. On the utterly opposite end of the J-pop spectrum, the artsy punk poetry rapper Haru Nemuri just released an incredibly strange music video (a very strange remix of her 2018 single "Kick In The World"). Though she hasn't put out any new records yet in 2019, she has been playing a catchy new song called "Riot" at her concerts this year (this gig was recorded in Japan less than a week ago!)