Yabai T-Shirts Yasan (ヤバイTシャツ屋さん) recently released a new single, Bluetooth Love, with a music video alongside it. It fits in with some of their previous singles to show their love of technology such as 無線LANばり便利 (Wireless Lan is Convenient), and Universal Serial Bus. Both highlights of their discography but do they have a new classic on their hands with Bluetooth Love?
Song
Wasting no time, Yabai T-Shirts dive into their energetic pop-punk vibe with the aggressive chant of “Blue Blue Bluetooth Love… Bluetooth isn’t dead”. The first verse is brutal and fast-paced, deep in the punk end of pop-punk. This continues into the chorus that matches that energy, slowing down slightly to ensure the hook lands. After coming down from the chorus, the next verse combines with the bridge, containing a reggae breakdown, then a regular pop-punk style breakdown. A very stop and start section as it builds up in a burst to slow down again, until ultimately kicking off again for the last chorus.
The chorus is one of their catchiest yet, maintaining a rough punk edge, it is filled with catchy hooks and riffs, which feels like it comes from nowhere. A strong harmony between Koyama and Shibata is the real driving force of this, and makes it stick out in a good way. Particularly as the vocals slow down compared to most of the verses, ensuring the vocal line gets hooked on your ear and keeps the song repeating in your head.
Vocally it is one of their most intense with lots of fast-paced lines that bounce between Koyama and Shibata rapidly. This with the instruments creates a lot of energy, but despite this, it all seems a bit lacklustre. It seems too much production has smoothed over the edges, dampening the rough punky punch of the chorus and the heavier parts of the verses. Still a fun track nonetheless as they try new things such as that reggae part, and with Bluetooth being key to social distancing apps around the world, it has been released with good timing.
Music Video
One of their more minimalist videos, it surrounds the story of the band being a guest on a tv show where they watch an idol and DJ combo, called Pretty Party “covering” their track. The duo is introduced by the hosts whilst the band sit awkwardly next to them on the bench.
During the video, the idol sings Shibata’s parts whilst the DJ takes Koyoma’s parts as the focus draws to them for the first verse and chorus of the song. It is cheesy, but it is the point. Almost as if it is a dig at idol culture. Still looking awkward and unamused, for the second verse, the focus turns back to the band who this time round sing their parts. In a twist, looking like they are doing it under their breath as their face gives no emotions. Quite funny, as the Pretty Party seem unaware of this completely as they carry on.
Towards the end, the idol teaches the band a dance routine to go with the song. Again looking reluctant they go along with it, lazily getting up and shuffling to be at the side of the stage as they give a lacklustre performance of the dance which is hilarious. Whilst the song ending with the hosts impressed, Yabai T-Shirts Yasan fall off the bench in shock at the end.
Overall, it is a fun video. Again, very much like the song itself, a bit lacklustre and not their best work. Still, this time around is most likely due to covid restrictions. At least a nice distraction from everything going on.
