Search - Yuki :: Prismic

Yuki Isoya -- Prolific and Talented Musician

ber_lin | New York United States | 08/07/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Prismic" is just the latest in a long line of musical work by the Japanese J-Pop singer/songwriter/musician Yuki Isoya. It is a solo album with hard rocking songs like "The End of S**te" and mellow, although no less rock-based, songs like "Prism."The videos for each song suggest the ranges in Yuki's own personality and music -- the "Prism" video features a nymphette Yuki commanding her penguin to save her lover from a trap in the woods, while "The End of S**te" video features her massaging her hands all over her body, rasping angrily into the camera while allowing tiny cartoon figures to romp across her stomach. She's sweet, sassy, and full of healthy attitude.Yuki's voice is uniquely pleasant. It is sometimes ragged, sometimes soft, and she's not afraid to experiment with vocalizations. She reminds me a bit of Bjork who also has a powerful voice which she pushes to the limit.I highly recommend this album to everyone. The songs are primarily in Japanese with some English phrases, but don't let that bother you. The music is good and infectious and it will tell you all you need to know about the artist's intentions. Soon you probably will find yourself singing along!Then, if you want to dig deeper into the Yuki Isoya canon check out her first, and now defunct, band, Judy and Mary. Their song "Peace (Strings Version)" is one of their best. Yuki was a founding member of Judy and Mary as well as being a singer, keyboardist, and sometime guitarist with the group.Then try her work with the all-female rock band, Mean Machine and their album "Cream." Yuki is one of two drummers (the other is J-Pop artist Chara) in this group. They're fun and they've created some great rock songs -- particularly "Oui? D'Accord?," "Love Mission 'M,'" and "Johnny Back."You might also like to check out her work as a part of the duo Chara + Yuki or her work with Kate Pierson of B52's fame in a group called NiNa. All great stuff!Whatever aspect of her work you chose you'll find original and surprising music. Yuki Isoya is a prolific and talented musician who should not be missed."