Album Review: 賣笑エクスタシー by Shiina Ringo
Alright, let’s get into this. 賣笑エクスタシー (Selling Ecstasy) is one of those albums that just kinda sticks with you after you hear it. Released in 2013 under Universal Music Japan, it's got all the vibes of J-pop but with a twist only Shiina Ringo could pull off—quirky, bold, and dripping with personality. You know when something feels like it shouldn’t work, but somehow it totally does? That’s this album.
The tracklist has some real gems, but two songs really stood out for me: 歌舞伎町の女王 (Queen of Kabukicho) and ポルターガイスト (Poltergeist). Let me break it down quick.
First up, Queen of Kabukicho. This banger kicks things off strong. It’s sassy, theatrical, and honestly sounds like what I imagine walking through Tokyo’s red-light district at midnight would feel like—chaotic yet strangely glamorous. The brass hits are so sharp they practically slap you in the face, and Ringo’s vocals? Iconic. She switches tones like she owns the whole damn stage—one second she’s teasing, the next she’s belting her heart out. You can’t help but picture neon lights flashing while listening to this one. It’s unforgettable because it’s just so…extra, in the best way possible.
Then there’s Poltergeist, which flips the mood completely. If Queen of Kabukicho is a wild night out, this is the eerie, unsettling dream you have afterward. The song builds slowly, layering weird electronic sounds and haunting melodies until it feels like your brain’s being invaded by ghosts or something. Honestly, it’s creepy as hell—but also kind of beautiful? Like, it messes with your head in a good way. By the end, you’re left feeling unsettled but impressed, like “yeah, I didn’t see THAT coming.”
Other tracks like 枯葉 (Dead Leaves) and おこのみで.. (As You Like It..) round out the album nicely, giving you plenty of variety. But honestly, it’s those first two tracks that wormed their way into my brain and refused to leave. They’re polar opposites, but both show off Ringo’s insane talent for storytelling through sound.
So yeah, wrapping this up—I gotta say, 賣笑エクスタシー isn’t an album you just listen to casually. It demands attention, almost like it’s daring you to keep up. And sure, maybe not every track lands perfectly, but isn’t that part of the charm? Listening to it feels like peeking inside someone’s chaotic, colorful mind.
Random thought though: if this album were a person, it’d probably wear leather boots, smoke unfiltered cigarettes, and laugh way too loud in public. And honestly? I’m here for it.
