It’s a good time to be a fan of Fantastics. We finally got a music video for their excellent single Stop For Nothing, along with a new b-side or two. And days earlier, the video for their entry in Jr.Exile’s Battle Of Tokuyo project was unveiled. Now, if they’d only throw us international fans a bone and add subtitles to their behind-the-scenes content and interviews!

Perfect Magic follows Generations’ Liberation and The Rampage’s Call Of Justice. Its energetic sound is in line with those releases, but feels just a bit groovier. There are elements of new jack swing in here, though they’re couched within a much more modern arrangement. After a vocoder-heavy intro, the instrumental unveils a crunchy breakdown complete with warped vocal chant. I can’t help but wish the entire song had followed this exact template, but the production quickly fills out and becomes more straightforward.

Upon the first few listens, I thought Perfect Magic could do with a stronger hook. Its exciting groove carries the day, chugging along without exhaustion. But without a dramatic chorus, this approach has the potential to feel a bit flat. However, subsequent listens have highlighted Perfect Magic’s charms. Its melody may lack dynamic crests and valleys, but it has a sticky quality that benefits from time. From topline to ad-lib, the hooks are in lock step with the instrumental’s measured advance. And then, you get that cheeky little “uh huh” as a fun exclamation point each time you think the chorus may grow too stale.