In one of the more unlikely moves made by the legendary rock band Kiss, they’ve recently released a brand new song that features a collaboration with a Japanese girl pop band.
The song entitled ‘Yume no Ukiyo ni Saitemina’ was written by band’s lead singer Paul Stanley and their producer Greg Collins. However, they did receive a bit of Japanese lyrical help from Yuho Iwasato.
In an interesting twist, the song was released as two different versions, one with Kiss on lead vocals, the other prioritising the J-pop girl group Momoiro Clover Z.
THE VIDEO
The video features all that you’d expect from this bizarre meeting of worlds. Hyper-stylised anime graphics, sugary-cute Japanese girl group dancing and of course the band Kiss gurning fairly impressively from behind their warpaint.
It’s an interesting move for Kiss who have always proved highly willing to embrace new styles to increase the band’s profile. This started in the 1970s when the band courted controversy amongst their hardcore rock fanbase by releasing the disco-influenced ‘I Was Made For Loving You’.
And the band’s extravagant range of merchandise has also raised a few eyebrows. With Kiss-branded condoms and coffins, and even a venture into the new world of online slot gaming much like those displayed by Flashbitch, the band have proved they are nothing if not shrewd investors.
THE MUSIC
So whilst it’s interesting to think of the theories behind such as move, what about the music itself?
It’s been a long time since Kiss’ last album ‘Monster’ was released in 2012, and fans might feel a little short-changed by this release. Although there are a few audible guitar squalls and some pretty relentless drumming, the release does feel more like a venture for the Japanese girl band than an official Kiss release. Not that the band will be complaining, since the J-pop platform is massively lucrative.
And at the same time, the single makes perfect sense. The Japanese band Momoiro Clover Z are all about spectacle with their individual members all wearing similar but distinct uniforms, plus they have a highly-energetic stage show and a massive fanbase that are ever-hungry for the band’s branded merchandise. Sound familiar?
So it seems that the American rockers may have found their unlikely spiritual brethren in the J-Pop phenomenon. Which is perfectly timed considering that Kiss have a special Best Of album scheduled for release in Japan this month!
