Back in 2008, J-pop superstar Namie Amuro released the triple A-side 60s 70s 80s, where she recorded three songs inspired by those titular decades. My favorite was the 80’s-tastic What A Feeling, but the 60’s pastiche New Look wasn’t far behind. For their new single, Twice’s Japanese sub-unit Misamo have covered that track, tossing away the 60’s girl group sound in favor of a more modern approach.
The thing is, the 60’s sound (and Supremes sample) is what made New Look so much fun! When it comes to covers, it’s important to distinguish your recording from the original. Otherwise, what’s the point? Misamo could have gone a number of ways with this track, especially given the strength of its chorus. Those enduring melodies poke through here and there, but they’re buried by a half-hearted (and painfully sluggish) arrangement. It’s as if the producers set out to drain all the energy from the song, opting for a noncommittal blend of cheap percussion.
I suppose the point of this approach was to shine more spotlight on the girls’ vocals. If so, New Look should be absolutely drenched in harmony. We get some during the chorus, but not in a particularly creative way. Misamo perform as well as expected, but nothing about their delivery feels unique or revelatory. Rather than make the song their own, it’s as if they were simply handed a track from J-pop’s past for a quick, bare bones cover.
Hooks
8
Production
6
Longevity
7
Bias
7
RATING
7