Perfume – Spice (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

1. スパイス
2. GLITTER
3. スパイス -Original Instrumental-
4. GLITTER -Original Instrumental-

DVD INFO: 4:3, Region 2, Duration: 5:22

1. GLITTER -Video Clip-

2011 has been a great year for the pop trio Perfume!

The group which consists of members Ayano Omoto, Yuka Kashino and Ayaka Nishiwaki from Hiroshima, Japan debuted back in 2001 and is produced by Capsule producer Yasutaka Nakata.

And to show that they are a group that continues to endure and gain more fans, the trio celebrated their 10th anniversary in August and became the second female group (the first was SPEED) to perform at the Tokyo Dome.  Their song “Polyrythm” was featured in the Disney/Pixar film “Cars 2” and are nominated for a “Best Asia Artist Award” for Mnet’s upcoming “Asian Music Awards”.

And now, the popular trio will be releasing their 16th major label single “Spice” which debuted at #2 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and a song that is used as a theme song for the TBS drama “Sengyo Shufu Tantei ~Watashi wa Shadow”.

The single will include their song “GLITTER” which is currently featured in their Kirin “Chu-Hi Hyouketsu” commercial in Japan.

The “Spice” single was released as a limited edition CD+DVD and a regular edition (with no DVD).  The version that I will be reviewing is the limited edition version.

“Spice” comes with a bi-fold insert with lyrics and production credits on one side, while a photos of the trio are featured on the opposite side.

The first track “Spice” features a catchy, upbeat single that continues to feature the synth pop arrangements that Yasutaka Nakata is known for.  The single is about being excited about something unexpected and that the spice of curiosity that is within you.  The song is about being in the same room with a person you like but the excitement makes the person tremble.

The second track is titled “GLITTER” and is a catchy song that starts of at mid-tempo until it reaches the chorus.  Am upbeat dance track that may seem happy, but the lyrics are somewhat sad as the song is about how a person has a sparkling dream, both people made a promise.  But until that day comes, she won’t cry at all and will pray for the person and laugh with them.  But instead of waiting, she feels she may need to take the chance and just do it or things won’t change, but she needs “Glitter”.  It’s a bit hard to explain the lyrics but it is a song about hope and just taking the initiative.

The remaining two tracks are the instrumental tracks of the first two songs.

As for the DVD, the DVD comes with the music video for “GLITTER” (surprised that the music video for “Spice” was not included).   The video features the trio dressed in blue outfits and dancing with bokeh balls and super-imposed light in the background or foreground.  It’s a fun, upbeat dance video.

Overall, “Spice” was a cool CD+DVD release.  Two upbeat, catchy and addictive tracks.  I have to admit that of the two songs, I prefer “GLITTER” much more because of its lyrics.  It’s sweet, full of hope and I just enjoy the overall arrangement. While I felt the single was cool, unless you are a big Perfume fan and considering that Tokuma Japan Communications aren’t the type to take down the music videos that people post on YouTube, the regular edition may suffice for fans who are on a budget.  Otherwise, if you do want the single music video for “GLITTER”, then by all means, check out the CD+DVD version.

If you are a Perfume fan, “Spice” is another wonderful single from the trio and a single that I can easily recommend!

BUY THIS CD SINGLE from cdjapan.com: