For any biographical info on Tujiko Noriko, read the Hard ni sasete review here or her interview.

A few days ago I saw Noriko live. Not really a performer, she stayed behind her laptop, toying around with it and singing. One might call that “uneventful”. Quite a few people in the venue seemed to think so...She was programmed as some sort of after show for the Interpol gig. Very odd choice if you ask me but the people from Brussels’ 10 days long Domino festival thought different. Nevermind... The rock crowd weren’t ready for such a concert. But oh boy, they don’t know what they missed! I mean, sure there wasn’t much happening but the concert had something “enchanting”. Maybe it was her smile (shyness?) when she sung and/or because she was only speaking in japanese between songs (although she do speak proper english and probably french too as she lives in Paris), and/or because one of the only two sentences she said in english was “he is in bad mood” (about her laptop). Probably it was because of the music (not exactly as on the albums) and her oh so nice voice. All this just to say that it was that gig that gave me the desire to get back to Shojo Toshi (which seems to mean Girl city)...

A short guide on how to listen to this album:
It’s night. You think that being sad/melancholic is somewhat pleasant/healing. You’ve had a hard day. Your boss/teacher  is a twat, you had an argument with your boyfriend/girlfriend (or both), there is war on telly, the neighbours have been listening real loud to crappy R’n’B ever since you got home. You put the CD in your stereo and headphones on your head. You have a look at the artwork. Quite original, funny, unusual. You press start. It’s Endless end. Instrumental, quiet, slow, melancholy-driven. You are starting to relax. Next on the list, White Film. Same kind of atmosphere. Vocals (in english). “You’re so beautiful, you came back to me and now smiling at me”. Then, Bebe (french for baby). More rhythm, noisier beats, nice little melody. “Bonjour, mon bébé”. Marble Waltz. Piano. Click click.  There is a continuous sound reminding you of the cicadas in the trees of your holidays in the sun.  Machi No kakera. Vocals in japanese, sung in a style close to what you can hear on Chinese or Japanese songs from the past. Sweet voice in english. Piano-driven melancholia. Tokyo.  Whispering. You’ve never been to Tokyo. All you know is that it’s damn crowded, very modern city. You’ve heard of Shinjuku and Shibuya. This song takes you a few feet above the unknown city, magic carpet ride. Everything seems so ethereal. Feeling of something unreal. Nostalgia again. Girl meets boy is something different. One of the most common thing to happen in one’s life yet so difficult. Differencia. You feel them, the emotions getting at you. You can only think that it is the most beautiful song on the album. Superb superb superb superb. Tears on your cheeks, your heart hurts. “Differencia, differencia, differencia”. Mannequin surfer doesn’t make you think of male supermodels and Californian surfers. Weird pop. Twisted melancholia? Porsche. As slow as a Lada on the motorway but much nicer. Calm ambient, little sounds in the night, voice from afar, a lullaby. Surprising end: circus music, better that the tapes they were playing at the crappy circus that stopped by your village when you were a child. Shojo Toshi is over. You’ve just awoken after a beautiful dream. Something is toying with your heart. You’re still sad but you don’t feel any anger. Almost happy to be sad?

If the you I’m talking about were I:
When the CD is over, I’d be speechless. I’d wish my ex-girlfriend would still be around, I’d wish my grand-mother wouldn’t have killed herself. I’d wish I could tell her that she is beautiful and see her smiling to me. I’d wish to go to Tokyo. I’d be reminded of Minato-ku, Shirogane-dai.
I’d feel strange, sad, melancholic. Nostalgia would soothes me.

I think I’m a fan. Thanks, you are unique.