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Various Artists: Escalator Records, Tokyo (Bungalow)

By Hari Kunzru, 10 April 2000

Germany’s tastemaking Bungalow crew here present the work of a great Japanese label. For those unwilling to fight their way through the platform-wearing Shibuya hordes in search of a perfect pop moment, this compilation is like a wiring diagram of the Japanese teen psyche. From fragile ballads to bizarre electropop odes about British football (“Come on Scholes baby / do it ./ make some goals!”) this is a shrinkwrapped clue to the sound of the new century.

Hari Kunzru <hari AT metamute.com>