It isn’t necessarily made clear here, but if you follow Make Believe Melodies on Twitter or on Tumblr, you’ll pick up on the fact that J-pop idols are responsible (or, at least represent) for some great music. This outlet…which, in theory, focuses more on the independent/not-mainstream side of Japanese music except, uhhh, when it doesn’t…hasn’t been shy in praising Osaka outfit Especia, a group with a vaporwave aesthetic and fantastic pop rooted in City Pop and acid jazz. Leak-boosting trio Negicco…not as vocal, though all you really need to know is that their “Triple! Wonderland” is one of 2014’s best.
Because they are idols, and because idols in 2014 constantly need to be doing something different, Especia and Negicco have teamed up to form Negipecia. They’ll release one single later this month, and that tune is now out, and you can hear it above (and watch the silly, hotel-parodying clip) above. It’s a surprisingly good midpoint between the two groups – it features the swoons and well-crafted sheen expected from Negicco, yet still squeezes in some Especia elements such as the beat and the twinkly synths (and the video). At the center – a hook that both groups would have probably been happy to have all their own.