Last year, art-punk outfit Half Japanese returned after 13 years of silence with the comeback album Overjoyed. The long break was atypical for a band with such a consistent output, having released over 30 albums in 30 years. Now, it seems like the band members are at least returning to prolific form, with frontman Jad Fair and bassist Jason Willett venturing off to record on their own.
This isn’t the first time Fair and Willet have branched out. The duo has released 12 albums together, starting with 1992’s Rieder LP. Their collaborative line continues with their new album, The Greatest Power, out September 8th via Dymaxion Groove Records. To commemorate the release, Fair and Willet have shared the album’s title track.
“This was a first take of a song we never did before,” Fair says of “The Greatest Power”. “I had a song title, but no lyrics written down. I like the spontaneity the song has. It has a very natural flow to it.”
Willet and Fair’s collaborations have long been deeply experimental, and “The Greatest Power” continues that track. Yet the song is much more accessible than some of their previous work thanks to Fair’s infectious vocal melody. An electronic drum beat provided by Drag City’s Michael Evans pitters and patters beneath out-of-tune, ringing guitar chords. Though featuring just two members, it feels just as fun as a canonical Half Japanese track, quirks and all.
The Greatest Power Tracklist:
01. 1111
02. Monster On the Loose
03. Are You Ready?
04. Peace Sign
05. Hold That Tiger
06. I Remember Every Word You Said
07. Far Away At Sea
08. Bubblegum Cottoncandy
09. Frankenstein Conquers the World
10. Let’s Go To Paris
11. Attack of The Giant Leeches
12. Ani’t No Sin
13. Good as Soda Pop
14. Giant From the Unknown
15. Everybody Happy?
16. Mars Invaded Earth
17. Drum Drop
18. The Greatest Power
