Shi-Ni-Chi-O-Sa-Wa!
New full-length album from Shinichi Osawa (aka Mondo Grosso) marks his first release on the Avex label and his first release under his real name! Shinichi has been active producing/remixing for international artists like "Digitalism, Bunny Lake, Mighty Dub Katz, & Boys Noize" among others, while continuously working on solo project "TheOne" under his real name.
His parties boast the top attendance in the country. Whereas he produces melodious, acoustic sound as a composer, producer, as remixer/DJ he provides “ill” and crazy club sound. Self-proclaimed “Multi-Musical Personality”.

While listening to the album i started making notes for each song so i could use them to write a review, but then i realized these notes are actually helpful!! It does the album description justice... so here are my notes for the album track by track:

The 12 tracks album (14 in japan) are just pure electronic goodness with an obvious dabs of indie rock attitude & oozes with influences by some of my favorite artists! So here are the notes:


01. Star Guitar (ft. Au Revoir Simone)
Echoed vocals, airy guitar & clutchy bassline. could easily be mistaken for a “Junkie XL” song from his "Today" era.

02. Detonator (ft. Princess Superstar)
WOW, if music was heard visually then you'd probably see princess superstar turning into a t-rex throwing a rampage tantrum, chomping everything in sight in style. One of the strongest tracks on the album with the coolest darkly concentrated sharp loud electronic body.

03. Electro411
“Boys Noize” with a techno twist, in a parallel world uma thurman would play this at her assasin yoga class, & it even has a piece of bedwin music near the end (not necessarily a nice touch).

04. Our Song (ft. ULTRA BRAiN)
Has that indie bands authentic style like the one from “Digitalism” song “Pogo” (at some parts) but softer. Summer song. & again “Junkie XL” like music.

05. Dreamhunt (ft. Rubies)
Sounds like a "New Young Pony Club" song produced by “Jamiroquai”, distorted & progressive, a feel good song, vocals are amazing & will make you wish you can sing along form the first play. + "I'm looking for love" line just melts the heart. this one is just pure joy and brilliance, probably the most appealing song to the mainstreamers.

06. Push (ft. Ania)
Hot vocals, sounds like daft punks "technologic" on tiny parts (lyrically), perfect for runways, i can totally see models strutting down the catwalk to this, It just reeks with ego & attitude. Stops in the middle for a beat break. The contagious chorus "push a little bit louder yeah, push a little bit stronger, push a little bit harder yeah, push a little bit faster" will get locked in your brain and u will end up whoring to it endlessly..

07. Rendezvou
The most annoying song on the record with chopped & repeating vocal shards making no sense, like a Mexican mariachi band stuck in traffic. random, loud & not one of the easy to get into (will have to grow on you- the hard way) before you realize its a great song. But still it sounds like a mash-up gone bad at some points.

08. The Patch
After a chaotic storm like "rendevouz" u will definitely want to slow it down a bit & get your state-of-mind back to normal, “The Patch” is more of a 2:33min intermission than a song. The piano & strings are mesmerizing, relaxing with a spacious melody, reminds you of those interludes when u go to a concert and the artist leaves for a break/change his outfit.

09. Last Days
Acoustic in the beginning, “Junkie XL” like guitar riffs & beat, & a “Calvin Harris” like bassline/distortion from 3:31 till the end. Nice after a few plays. (Same description from "our song" applies to this) except this one is a bit boring. Not that crazy about it.

10. State of Permission (Co-produced & ft. Freeform Five)
Co-produced & featuring "Freeform Five", the way its sung reminds me of “Gwen Stefani” ballads, med tempo & great! You will like it. The only soft-semi-slow song on the whole record.

11. Foals (ft. Nelson)
Blend of “The Presets”, “Soulwax” & “The Rapture” but not densely.

12. The Golden
Cowbells like hell, jumpy jingly, evil, techtronic, dialtonic & funky, it even has a piece of “The Go! Team” like cheerleading shout pronouncing the song title “The Golden” few times. Strong, progressive. Belongs in a video game. Groovy. Influenced by “Touche”, “Alavi” & “Teenage Badgirl”. The best instrumental track on the album, a perfect encore.

One of the greatest records this year!