Album Review: Japanese Wallpaper – Glow

There is plenty of good pop music around at the moment, it’s just that almost none of it is in the mainstream. You have to peer well beyond what’s being played on commercial radio to find true pop gems these days.

And if you peer far enough, you’ll find this little Aussie wonder. For the uninitiated, Japanese Wallpaper is essentially one guy, Gabriel Strum. His debut, Glow, is quirky dream-pop – it's catchy and breezy, although slightly more languid in tone/pace at times (Ready/Waiting, Cocoon), and this juxtaposition gives this record a dynamic, multi-dimensional vibe.

That said, this record is at its absolute best when in its up-tempo mode (Caving In, Imaginary Friends). In these moments, the album puts a big, fat smile on your face, and makes you feel glad to be alive. In its more downbeat moments, it lulls the listener into a sweet and melancholy reverie (especially the title track, which also closes proceedings).

Bands like this prove that in the right hands pop music can be interesting and immersive, as well as full of catchy hooks that stay with you for long moments after. In a perfect world, this is what would be on high rotation on mainstream radio the world over.