Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s Psychedelic Bubblegum

Even at it’s most mindblowingly bubblegummy and catchy, American pop tends to rely heavily on the notion of transgressively overt sexuality. Although admittedly, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears and Gwen Stefani have indelible pop earworms, their singles and videos are always unquestionably married to imagery that is designed to titillate as if there weren’t potentially other means of getting one’s attention.

Thank you Japan for exploring the concept of kawaii. A quality of “cuteness” that has given birth to Hello Kitty, emojis and harajuku, kawaii is like a psychosocial umami that American pop has trouble identifying.

Regardless, kawaii is a flavor worth investigating, as it affords a completely different aesthetic spectrum in which to paint.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is a kawaii pop princess the likes of which I don’t think America has ever had. But thankfully now can, thanks to the internet.

Sweeter than a massive cupcake and a million times more psychedelic than any recent American pop stars video, KPPs 2011 hit single “PONPONPON” is a perfect combination of wildly infectious and completely off the charts bonkers.

Whether we are ready or not is our problem not hers (or the worlds) as recently The Fader reported that KPP is working on a new single with mysterious bubblegummy tech-house monster SOPHIE.

Now THAT, will be next level.

It’s a brave new world and it’s time to start seeing and listening in different ways y’all.