[REVIEW] BILLIE IDLE - bi bi bi bi bi

Ever since the Nakisou Sunday single release, bi bi bi bi bi has been one of the most hotly anticipated events in BILLIE IDLE's (admittedly short) history. It also serves as the group's first full release without the much-beloved Yasui Yuuhi, and in turn somewhat of a proving ground for her replacement Akira. I'm happy to say that bi bi bi bi bi smashes all expectations to take its rightful place in BILLIE IDLE's discography.

bi bi bi bi bi opens up with Nakisou Sunday, a single which brought all eyes to the group in the first place. Marking a change in direction, BILLIE IDLE began moving away from the POLYSICS-flavored electro-pop in favor of 80s power pop and punk rock. While I'll definitely miss synth-led dance hits like anarchy in the music scene and be-bop tu-tu, BILLIE IDLE took the chance to change and grow and came out better for it.

Following up Nakisou Sunday, pet brings an unrelenting wave of 80s-throwback power pop. The chorus is impossibly catchy, and it's easy to forget that BILLIE IDLE are supposed to be, well, idols. 本当の夢を sees the group fitting in alongside the likes of Shonen Knife. Of course no BILLIE IDLE album would be complete without the sharp left turn towards ska, and BiG BiG WAVE fulfills that need with gusto.

One of my main worries coming into this album was that Akira wouldn't be able to fill the shoes of de-facto-best-singer Yasui Yuuhi. I'm happy to say that, while her voice isn't as strong as Yuuhi's, she still offers strong vocals and brings a lot of talent to the table. I would expect nothing less from Momo's sister! The girls are all called upon to really show what they can do on 理由無き反抗期  with some powerful glam vocals.

There's not a weak song on this album. In true BILLIE IDLE fashion, these girls absolutely killed it in every possible way. While nothing here stands out as an instant hit single the way anarchy in the music scene did, and there aren't any be my boy level gems, every song stands on its own as a strong addition to the BILLIE IDLE discography. I hope this group starts to gain some more traction in the US, because they deserve it. And who knows what the future has in store, considering this recent photo...

​-Justin

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