Asobi Sexsu - Asobi Sexsu

This, the self titled debut release from Asobi Sexsu (translated as Playful Sex) is as perfect a slice of dreamy shoegazer pop as you're likely to hear this side of a Lush reunion. Singing in both English and Japanese, frontwoman Yuki's vocals seem to float along on an undercurrent of scuzzy guitars breaking in swathes of feedback. Not afraid to drift from perfect pop on opener I'm Happy But You Don't Like Me to plugging in the effects pedals and letting rip on It's Too Late, the transition is seamless. Drawing comparisons with My Bloody Valentine and Shonen Knife, this is the sound of the former fronted by a bilingual pop siren. Producing a more coherent and whole record than many bands can produce well into their career, this really is as elegant a first crack at a longplay release as a band could hope for. [Garry Thomson]