KOTO
Platonic Planet


4.5
superb

Review

by Arche USER (95 Reviews)
October 4th, 2019 | 21 replies


Release Date: 2015 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Blue smarties for the soul.

Before reading the rest of this review, I'd suggest taking a minute to listen to and watch the video of Platonic Planet's title track – or rather, four-and-a-half minutes. The link's in the comments. Go ahead, I've had the kettle on. I can wait.



Back? What did you think? If you're as knackered as she doubtless was by the end of her recital then you'll probably be wanting a little rest, which I'd recommend taking before listening to the entirety of Platonic Planet because there are no stops on that train to be had.

In a way, the video is a perfect encapsulation of a lot of what makes KOTO's debut great, but also it somewhat underplays what is actually a meticulous production job which rivals that of any maximalist pop outfit taking itself somewhat seriously. Notably, there's a pretty consistent utilisation of all things nostalgic and 'old-times futuristic' strewn across Platonic Planet, most prominently regarding the arcade-style synths and sounds as a seemingly endless stream of cascading jingles, bit-machine bloops and rambunctious saws weave themselves in a kind of complex, retro tapestry that, somehow, is totally comprehensible. It's entirely possible, should one want to, to examine the layering on display here and be genuinely impressed at how nothing feels wasted despite there being so much going on; being frank though, most of the time one is jamming this because they want to get their bop on and the whole package presents itself compellingly. The amateurish, kitschy video to the title track, replete with sparkly costumes and My First Video Editor™ lasers, makes no attempt to shy away from the track's 'futuristic' sound, but Platonic Planet thrives on its unapologetic thematic nature; other moods explored here include 'haunted house' ('Question Quest') and 'Chinese club' ('SickteenSick'), blended unflinchingly with hyperactive bitpop. Things only cool down for closing track 'Cinderella Syndrome' ever-so-slightly, yielding a slightly underwhelming finale after seven tracks of high-octane thrills, but aside from that it's wall-to-wall entertainment.

While there's an inherent and probably necessary degree of childishness in KOTO's high-pitched vocal performance especially considering we're dealing with themes such as the aforementioned, (she was between 15 and 16 at the time of recording, hardly the age of a battle-hardened codger), it would be doing her a gross disservice to say she's just there as along for the ride. Sure there's not the emotional range of a Portuguese fado on show but the defining feature of her contribution is enthusiasm; as far as giving the impression of throwing everything into a performance there's not much else I can compare her with, and it's a sizeable bulk of why Platonic Planet is as endearing as it is. Chorus after chorus is delivered with disarming confidence despite her years, giving each hook the ability to transcend language barriers; even in my very flimsy Japanese I'm there, singing away, fighting the urge to throw my arms in the air and pretend I'm on stage while a thousand multicoloured lights dance about my person. And really, that's the bottom line of Platonic Planet – it's a 35 minute happy pill, a little, possibly nonsensical oasis of bright colours and flailing dance routines to throw on and enjoy when you're feeling a little glum.



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user ratings (17)
3.9
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
Archelirion
October 4th 2019


6594 Comments


The video in question is this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEYvI83qPWw

Very, very fun album. Feedback welcomed as always :]

CalculatingInfinity
October 4th 2019


9894 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yayyyy finally a review of this bop.

JohnnyoftheWell
Staff Reviewer
October 4th 2019


62343 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

Hell yeah, was on the point of checking this! Will give it a jam / read this through in the soon :]:]

Archelirion
October 4th 2019


6594 Comments


Lemme know how you get on with it when you do check it out!

MotokoKusanagi
October 5th 2019


4290 Comments


nice this definitely deserved a review. great stuff

BlushfulHippocrene
Staff Reviewer
October 5th 2019


4053 Comments


Very cute review, you're on a roll. :3

Asdfp277
October 5th 2019


24791 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

WIG !

RolyPoly
October 5th 2019


528 Comments


About time

Archelirion
October 5th 2019


6594 Comments


@Blush ^ ^ By the rate I'm going, I might even review FIVE albums before the end of this year!!!
Yeah, this one's needed a review for a solid while now so I figured I'd get on it. Dunno what the new one's like yet.

hal1ax
October 6th 2019


15777 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Nice.



Thought this would never get a review.

Aberf
October 9th 2019


3988 Comments


not feeling this at all actually. And it's coming from Aberf out of anybody.

JohnnyoftheWell
Staff Reviewer
October 15th 2019


62343 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

Damn, those bitpop tones slap

JohnnyoftheWell
Staff Reviewer
October 18th 2019


62343 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

This is starting to get under my skin - that second track is such a bop

Archelirion
October 18th 2019


6594 Comments


Dude that's the best bop on here. The kinda haunted-house thing it has going is just so so fun. So many hooks too.

JohnnyoftheWell
Staff Reviewer
November 23rd 2019


62343 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

Ugh yes this is so true that song keeps coming back to *haunt* me !

dimsim3478
January 29th 2021


8987 Comments


dang she retiring from the biz. huge bummer

CalculatingInfinity
January 29th 2021


9894 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

A shame :[

bloc
May 11th 2021


70683 Comments


Will have to recheck this. Just heard Bye Bye Teens Lullaby for the first time yesterday and it blew my head off. I don't remember feeling this one as much

JohnnyoftheWell
Staff Reviewer
June 19th 2022


62343 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

not my favourite planet tyler

parksungjoon
June 19th 2022


47231 Comments


taishogoto



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