I’m always split by music trying to capture the vibe of the 1980s, of which plenty exists in Japan. Sometimes it works amazingly well, other times it feels like a really bad painting of a member’s only jacket. Problem is, I’m never really positive what separates the retro-tinged stuff I end up liking and the songs I end up hating.
Satellite Young’s “Dividual Heart” makes me thinks it all boils down to vocals. “Dividual Heart” is a big surging synth-pop number garnished with ’80s details…that guitar solo!…and pushed on by a skippy beat. But what stands out is the singing of Emi Kusano, which receives just the right coating of metallic sheen to make her voice stick out. Get it here, or listen below.