ニューベストナウ by MBand: A Retro Japanese Gem That Still Hits Right
Alright, let’s talk about ニューベストナウ (New Best Now), the 1988 album by MBand. This one’s a mix of pop and rock vibes straight outta Japan, released under the Eastworld label. It’s got that late '80s flair—synthy hooks, punchy beats, and just enough drama to keep things interesting. If you’re into Japanese music history or just love discovering old-school albums with personality, this one might be right up your alley.
Now, I’ll be honest—I didn’t dive into every track because who has time for that? But two songs really stuck out to me: "スロー・バラード" (Slow Ballad) and "東京Kids" (Tokyo Kids).
First off, “スロー・バラード.” Man, this song is smooth. Like, butter-on-hot-toast smooth. The melody feels like it’s hugging your soul, and the vocals have this earnestness that makes you wanna grab a coffee and stare out the window while thinking deep thoughts. Or maybe cry softly if you’ve had a rough day. Either way, it’s memorable. There’s something comforting about how simple yet emotional it is—it doesn’t try too hard but still nails it.
Then there’s “東京Kids,” which is basically the opposite energy. It’s upbeat, catchy as heck, and gives off major city-lights-at-night vibes. You can almost picture neon signs flashing and crowds buzzing as you listen. The lyrics feel nostalgic in a bittersweet way, like remembering those wild teenage days when everything felt so big and important. I couldn’t help but hum along after just one playthrough—it’s sticky like that.
Other tracks like “All Night Long” and “極楽Midnight” bring their own charm too, though they didn’t hit me quite as hard. And hey, shoutout to “No Money (Dance Mix)” for being exactly what it says on the tin—a fun little dancefloor filler that probably got some serious spins back in the day.
What’s cool about ニューベストナウ is how it balances chill moments with high-energy ones. It’s not perfect—the production screams ‘80s in all the best and worst ways—but that’s part of its charm. Listening to it now feels like flipping through an old photo album; sure, some parts are dated, but others make you smile at how much heart went into them.
Here’s the kicker though—this album kinda reminds me of those random VHS tapes people used to find at garage sales. You know, the ones where you’re not even sure what’s on them, but once you press play, you’re hooked. Maybe that’s why MBand isn’t talked about much anymore, but trust me, ニューベストナウ deserves more than just collecting dust in someone’s collection.
So yeah, give it a shot if you can track it down. Who knows? You might end up loving it—or at least laughing at how gloriously ‘80s it sounds.
