Teriyaki Boyz - ZOCK ON!

Previously, Teriyaki Boyz had been making rather melodic hiphop with a definite early 90s feel: rather like Rip Slyme. The last single, with Kanye West was a good example of this: it was fun hiphop with a sense of humor. Perhaps the Boyz wanted to be taken more seriously by American artists, because ZOCK ON! could not be more different.

Gone are the fun melodies and the obvious comedic touches, instead what remains is a down'n'dirty hiphop track. The minimal percussion bears a tribal sound layered over whirring synthesized noise; barely a tuneful melody is to be found. Despite this, it is still as addictive as ever, although it may take a few listens to get used to. The song is meant for a club with the raw sound suiting a dark dance floor perfectly. Pharrell reappears on his second collaboration with the Teriyaki Boyz and can be heard here handling the hook in Japanese. Busta Rhymes' contribution is a little less obvious, although the promotional video features some breakdancing from the rap legend.

As seems to be Teriyaki Boyz's trend, the accompanying track is a remix of a previous release. The remix this time is of I Still Love H.E.R. The remix changes very little, apart from slowing it down and layering a gentle jazz piano over the rap, yet the song is imbibed with sufficient new character for the remix to be interesting. It becomes more laid back and lounge, although it would be good nonetheless for Teriyaki Boyz to stop fobbing off endless remixes on their fans.

ZOCK ON! will take some getting used to; for listeners seeking that comedic edge, watching the promotional video comes highly advised as the attitude of Teriyaki Boyz gives the song a lighter appearance than the CD alone offers. It is a stark new sound from Teriyaki Boyz but not entirely unwelcome either, and those who complain that Japanese hiphop is too comedic will relish this mature direction.