For a brief, shining moment last fall, Sexy Zone were five again. However, they’ve been knocked back to four as member Marius takes a break from the industry to focus on health. But even with these constant shifts in configuration, the group has somehow forged one of the strongest singles runs in modern J-pop. From 2018’s Suppin Kiss/Karakuri Darake No Tenderness to the newly-released Let’s Music, the group can’t seem to take a musical misstep. Even more impressive, each of these songs has operated within a totally different set of genres and influences.
For Let’s Music, the guys have adopted a brassy funk style. Think: SHINee’s Married to the Music as filtered through the Johnny’s prism. There’s almost no chance of this going wrong, and Let’s Music is another total standout for Sexy Zone. The song is a blast of joy. It’s a celebration of music, driven by the group’s personality-filled performance.
Let’s Music brings me back to 2015-16, when global smash Uptown Funk inspired a surplus of brass-heavy pop in both Korea and Japan. It’s a style that’s hard to screw up, as its natural ebullience just elicits smiles. This song has a goofy appeal, fueled by chants and conversational verses supported by a kaleidoscope of rhythmic elements. At its center is an explosive chorus, bounding with spirit before segueing into an ascending post-chorus hook that begs for mass sing-alongs. The arrangement has a freewheeling energy, and becomes groovier as it goes on. But thanks to Sexy Zone’s equally fun vocals, Let’s Music never feels like a rip-off. It’s distinctly them, and effortlessly charming.
| Hooks | 9 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 10 |
| RATING | 9.25 |
(Youtube version edits out the second verse)
Oh! Now I have been obsessing over this song over the past hour, Married To The Music is one of my favorite SHINee Tracks, but even I can say that Sexy Zone’s version is much, much better. Something about their vocal tones is so triumphant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I cannot agree! I still prefer the polish of SHINee, but both tracks are great. I just want as much of this uptown funky sound as I can get.
LikeLike
Sexy Zone are currently in an imperial phase, and one of the best I’ve seen in modern times. I am not as much of a funk fan as most people on this blog, and I think that is because modern funk has lost any previous goals. Let’s Music has a goal to be fun and it succeeds. Really enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anything that sounds inspired by Uptown Funk is an instant favourite for me! Somehow I thought this was not a new song because the title gave me a strong sense of deja vu.
LikeLike
Oh this is a lot of fun. Uncomplicated fun. I love how delightfully slightly shaggy SexyZone are. It takes a lot of talent to be this way.
LikeLike