Fujiya & Miyagi - Lightbulbs

Genre electro-pop Publisher Deaf Dumb & Blind Records

Lightbulbs, set to be released on September 16th, is the full-length debut of Fujiya & Miyagi (Their 2006 album Transparent Things was actually a collection of previously released EP’s). With a name like Fujiya & Miyagi one could make two reasonable educated guesses: They are Japanese and the band consists of two members. On both points you would be wrong. First, the band hails from the UK. Second, Fujiya & Miyagi is comprised of three members: David Best on vocals and guitar, Steve Lewis handling syths and various other electronic duties, and Matt Hainsby on bass. Basically, this initially bit of misdirection leads into the underlying theme of the group... to be as oblique and discordant as possible. Oddly enough, in this case, that's a great compliment. On Lightbulbs, David Best sings (or rather speaks melodically) about largely mundane and utterly domestic situations, all super-imposed over music that can’t help but lead to a prevailing mood of dread and regret. And yet, one can help the over-whelming urge to move along with the infectious beats.

The most striking example of this feeling is on title track, "Lightbulbs." Over a subdued, almost haunting beat and a calming guitar, Best talks about changing light bulbs and washing dishes, creating a picture of a couple in a never-ending rut. As is to drive this home, the refrain states "If today is the same as yesterday/ Then tomorrow will be the same as today." On "Uh," the band’s unique blend of funk, electronica, and pop truly shines. Hainsby’s bass drives the track, while the vocals and beats stutter in and out across it‘s running time. Tossing around one-liners and clichés to paint a picture of love gone wrong, Fujiya & Miyagi still manages to construct a song that would require a steel will to resist the urge to dance.

If anything detracts from Fujiya & Miyagi’s impressive collection, it is their habit of being a tad too pleased with themselves and their own obtuseness. At times lyrics almost seem to invoke some inside joke, hilarious to the band, but completely pointless to anyone on the outside. Amplifying this feeling is the track commentary that accompanied the album which, rather than clarifying their intention, serves to further obstruct and confuse (ex. "Track 8. Pteradactyls: Any song about synchronised swimmers has to have a pin prick sharp syncopation, a rhythmic anchor behind a series of oh ah uh ahs and a juddering melody line. Just like this."). On whole, this habit isn’t a bad thing, but should avoid going overboard and alienating the listener.

That complaint aside, Lightbulbs is an astounding piece of electro pop. At times invoking 60’s lounge, 70’s funk, or 80’s synth, the album manages that come across an incredibly cohesive work firmly grounded in the present. Due to the clever lyrics and contagious grooves, this collection stands up to repeated listens with ease, always maintaining it’s energy throughout. It is just as easy to enthusiastically recommend this album from Fujiya & Miyagi to any fan of pop music.