Review: Yuma Abe's second solo album is a conceptual masterpiece steeped in nostalgia and inspired by the humour, charm and cultural richness of mid-20th century Japanese cinema. A leading figure in the modern Japanese city pop movement, Abe envisioned the project as a soundtrack for a fictional variety show set in a southern island hotel. The imagined show, hosted by a stylish hotel manager named Yuma Abe, featured skits, songs and performances blending Japanese tradition with foreign influences, exuding a fast-paced, exotic allure. The nine tracks on the album evoke a bygone era of simplicity and creativity, blending funk bass lines, tight percussion and melodic hooks. Highlights include the breezy single 'Friend', an infectious ode to resilience and joy amidst life's challenges. With its cool groove and uplifting chorus, the track perfectly encapsulates Abe's philosophy of embracing life's storms with optimism. Abe's passion for classic cinema and music shines through, transporting listeners to a vivid, sensory world where humor, sex appeal and cultural fusion reign supreme. Abe's artistry and his ability to reimagine the past with unparalleled charm is very noteworthy.
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