The Japanese trio Perfume delights us with the second part of Nebula Romance, a highly anticipated album for all J-Pop fans. Last year, they introduced the first part and promised a two-part conceptual album, fulfilling that promise with the release of Nebula Romance: Part II, a new collection of electro-pop songs showcasing the signature sound that has made Perfume one of the most popular acts in J-Pop history.
This release expands on the conceptual narrative started in the first part, described as “a soundtrack for a fictional movie set in space.” This second part focuses on concluding the themes introduced earlier, wrapping up the story and depicting how Perfume “ascends into a new dimension.”
Comparisons with the first part are inevitable. Are the songs in this new installment better? I’m inclined to think so. Overall, they feel more exciting, for lack of a better word.
While the first part seemed to lean into a traditional Western pop sound, this second part feels oriented toward a technopop direction. A fast-paced beat is usually ever-present, keeping the energy high and creating an almost constant sense of urgency. The synth solos and melodic arrangements soar throughout, which is incredibly stimulating and adds significantly to the album’s cosmic atmosphere.
Yasutaka Nakata, Perfume’s composer and producer, seems to be in top form. The level of musical detail in the songs is impressive. The three members, A-chan, Kashiyuka, and Nocchi, sing with remarkable enthusiasm, unlike anything I’ve heard in their recent albums. Everyone sounds fully committed to the music and the project.
The vocal melodies are distinctly Japanese, often long and intricately crafted, contrasting sharply with the melodic simplification Perfume explored in the first part with its Western pop influences. Perhaps they realized their audience wasn’t entirely sold on that approach?
Another notable influence in this second part, beyond techno, is found in the cosmic atmospheres and synth solos, which at times recall European electronic acts from the 1970s.
This reaches its peak in the album’s longest track, exit, which also features reflective and captivating lyrics about the cyclical nature of the universe:
"How many turns has this world already taken?
A scale impossible to measure.
If I return to the moment of the beginning,
I'll close this loop — exit."
The only tracks that clearly diverge from the rest are Teenage Dream, the album’s ballad, and Moon, with its beat and style instantly evoking disco music.
The album closes with Meguru-pu (Spinning Loop), one of my favorite songs on the record. Its vocal melodies are sweet with a touch of melancholy, a track that wouldn’t feel out of place as the outro for a dramatic anime.
Without a doubt, I recommend Nebula Romance: Part II to all J-Pop fans and electronic music enthusiasts alike. The entire album is incredibly solid. Honestly, I can’t find any moments that feel dull or weak. It’s truly a joy to hear such a consistently high-quality collection of songs from Perfume.
