NEW ARTIST FINDS: KERO KERO BONITO

Finally, a band has come along who blends J-Pop, hip hop, and electropop in a way that totally works. Londoners Sarah, Gus, and Jamie have been making music together as Kero Kero Bonito since 2012, and have been putting their unique spin on the J-Pop genre ever since. Lead singer-rapper, Sarah, sings encouraging lyrics in both English and Japanese over Super Nintendo-era video game samples that will make you nostalgic for the days when all you cared about was beating Super Mario World 3. So if you need to be put in a feel-good mood, read on to experience some seriously catchy futuristic pop.

KERO KERO BONITO - SICK BEAT (DANNY L HARLE REMIX)

PC Music’s Danny L. Harle puts his spin on the confidence-filled track, “Sick Beat,” that features Sarah rapping about her video game skills: “Whichever console you play/ No matter how many hours a day/ I could win at any game/ Whether you’re a boy, or a girl, or a super computer.” Besides the awesome girl-power lyrics, Hale make the track even quirkier by replacing some of the video game samples with cheery electronic elements and an awesomely fuzzy beat.

KERO KERO BONITO - BUILD IT UP

“Build It Up” has an ever changing supply of electronic elements, beats, and Super Nintendo samples that keeps the track fun fresh throughout. The lyrics fit the cheery music, and with lines like “don’t forget to put your own flag on top,” you’ll be left with the power to take on anything. One of the highlights of the track is the breakdown around the 2:30 mark, that’s packed with drum machine beats, lasers, 8-bit samples, and everything in between which makes for an insanely fun 3 minutes.

KERO KERO BONITO - FLAMINGO

Off of Ryan Hemsworth’s Secret Songs compilation comes “Flamingo,” which is the track that started all of the buzz. It’s the perfect introduction to the trio’s sound, as it features their signature style of mixing super weird lyrics (“Eat too much and you’ll get sick/ Shrimps are pretty rich,”) to uplifting and inspirational (“You don’t need to change/ It’s boring being the same/ Flamingo/ You’re pretty either way”). The track also features a Zelda-reminiscent flute melody, hi-hats, claps, and poppy elements that work together to create something original and catchy.

If you liked what you heard, then be sure to “like” Kero Kero Bonito’s Facebook page and tell ‘em BitCandy says hi! And if you need even more awesome new music in your life, then head on over here.

About Erin Crider

Erin Crider eats, breathes, and sleeps pop culture. If you have a question about a one-hit wonder from the ‘90s or need help remembering lines from a SNL skit, she’s your girl. When she isn’t lurking the internet, she's either going to a show or hanging out at Disneyland. Erin lives in Southern California and has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Cal State Long Beach.