Music Monday: Gesu No Kiwami Otome (ゲスの極み乙女)

Today, I would like to introduce one of Japan’s currently hottest bands: Gesu no Kiwami Otome! In Japanese, their band name means “Girl at the Height of Rudeness” I discovered this band when I was watching them perform live on NHK, Japan’s national television channel, in celebration of New Years.

Since first discovering them, Gesu no Kiwami Otome has quickly become my all-time favorite band with their touches of classical and jazz in their often turbulent pop and sometimes even rock music. In one of their songs “キラーボール” or “Killer Ball”, they even insert a section of Frederic Chopin’s “Fantaisie-Impromptu.”  From their offbeat band name to their avant-garde music, it is no wonder that they have taken the Japanese music industry by storm this past year.

Above is one of their best-selling songs, named “ロマンスがありあまる” or “Romance in Excess”, which sold 15,000 copies in the first week of its release. Want to understand the music despite not knowing any Japanese? Click here for an English translation of the lyrics!

I hope “Romance in Excess” spices up your Monday!