Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (née Caroline Charonplop Kyarypamyupamyu) is one of the world’s biggest game-changing pop phenomena, but if you live in the States, you might not have ever even heard of her. Though she’s a one-woman cottage industry in her native Japan, releasing three number-one albums, garnering huge social media followings, and endorsing major products, it’s been extremely difficult for Asian artists like her to cross over and climb the American charts, Psy’s “Gangnam Style” smash aside.
If anyone can do it, though, it might be this Lady Gaga of Japan. Kyary has an off-kilter pop appeal that feels perfectly suited for a Katy Perry radio world, and she’s distinguished herself with hyper-creative videos like “PONPONPON” (over 67 million views!), which shows her dressing up in an escalating series of insane outfits that are Internet-age perfection. Her new album, Pika Pika Fantajin, out in the U.S. on July 29, is being produced by longtime collaborator and J-pop mastermind Yasutaka Nakata, and features her first-ever all-English song, “Ring a Bell,” now streaming exclusively on Vogue.com. Take a listen here. If the stars align, you might just be hearing this voice all over American radio in a matter of weeks.
Vogue didn't explain the song, which may turn people off. Kyary explained the simplicity of it:
It was my first try at singing a song completely in English. It’s kind of like a children’s song in English. Like when you’re going to a music studio! Happy! The lyrics are very simple. The choreography is simple so I want to get heated up with everyone during a live performance!
She's not kidding. I think Barney had more complex lyrics than this song. But she is learning English.
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"Pikapika Fantajin" debuted at #1 on the Oricon chart with 48k sold, and her second album to debut at #1. Mind you, Japan has 1/3 our population, so proportionally, that's like an American selling 144,000, which doesn't happen often.
"I’m so happy that my third album was also able to take the #1 spot on the Oricon rankings! It’s a moment I get to experience again thanks to all the fans who support me and all of my staff members. As Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, I hope to keep evolving, keep surprising and delighting everyone, and convey all these emotions to you!"
The album comes out on iTunes on July 29. It's on Barnes & Noble for preorder for August 12 delivery, which kind of explains why retail outlets cratered in a digital world, doesn't it?
Sources: Vogue (stream won't embed), 2, 3, 4