Single Review - Asobi Seksu 'Strawberries'

One Little Indian Records have always kept a beady eye on those who fall into the perimeters of pop music, of course, most notably with the all-conquering Bjork. However, those in the know realise that there is more to the label than one artist.

The latest big hope is Asobi Seksu. The NME have fallen over themselves to heap praise on this band, noting that they're "just the experience you've been craving". You shouldn't let that put you off though... occasionally, the NME look at half decent record.

So, what about this one? Are the rumours of My Bloody Valentine meets sixties pop fair?

There's no denying that having a cute Oriental person up front in your band doesn't do you any harm. At present, CSS are the most notable and in the past, Can looked that much better for having Damo Suzuki screaming his little head off... but that's just looks. Asobi Seksu, while enjoying the kookiness brought by the singer, employ a much more terrifying tactic when approaching a song and that is to surprise you with vicious walls of sound.

Strawberries starts off unassuming enough with a wiry guitar and bass, before a slight bend and shift make you think of early records by Ride. Singer Yuki breezes in with a sweet sweet falsetto that again, harks back to when indie music had a capital I. As the chorus reveals itself, there is a hesitant pause before juddering cascading sheets of guitar kick the living crap outta your head. This ain't no punk single though. It's definitely looking towards the soundscapes found on My Bloody Valentines' Loveless LP. It's by no means as wild and disorientating as MBV, but it's definitely there.

There's that wonderful marriage of quiet/loud which made so many records great over the years, but instead of going for the Nirvana quiet/loud, they've instead dug Sonic Youth and MBV to create their racket. It's a cracking little pop single that should have you recalling a time when your hair was a little longer and your moods where a little more prone to swing. If you're buying this single, you'd be advised to avoid the remixes on the b-side with the CSS remix providing most to get irked about (imagine the worst disco you've ever heard).

Asobi Seksu's Strawberries is out 12th November on One Little Indian Records.