You can never give too many gifts over the holidays — especially the little ones. Here are some last-minute ideas for stocking-stuffers, courtesy of the regular music writers here at The Japan Times.
Perfume
"Game"
J-Pop has been stuck in a rut of late, with rapidly dwindling CD sales and charts dominated by the usual boy bands, cookie-cutter idoru (manufactured entertainer) music and 1990s revivals. Who better to reaffirm your faith in pop music, then, than retro-futurist robo-popsters Perfume. Debut album "Game" provides an intriguing synthesis of image, innovation, catchiness and sophistication. Already, everyone from spunky newcomers Aira Mitsuki to veteran stars such as Suzuki Ami is jumping on the electropop bandwagon, so this could be your last chance to enjoy the sound while it's still fresh. (Ian Martin)