"Bonito Generation - Kero Kero Bonito" Simpler times, Simper Tunes


     I vividly remember where I was when I first listened to Bonito Generation. The night before I was scrolling through reddit, where I found a post jokingly comparing Waking Up by Kero Kero Bonito to Waking Up by Death Grips. Intrigued, and mildly scared to check out the Death Grips song, I set out to the Kero Kero Bonito track, after all it had a colourful album cover, I had known the band mostly as a meme band, and I was on the horizon to expand my music taste anyway. It was at that instant that I was hooked, not blown away immediately, but Waking Up managed to wrinkly my brain just enough that the next day I put it on immediately as I woke up while brushing my teeth, unable to stop myself from listening to the simple, yet uplifting song that was presented before me. Eventually I did decide to listen to the whole record, and it was exactly what I needed, so without further ado, here are my track by track thoughts on the record.

Kero Kero Bonito – Bonito Generation

Waking Up – 85/100 This is a pretty fun track and a good opener. Originally it took a while to grow on me but after a while something about it just clicked.

Heard A Song  - 80/100 Something about this entire album just clicks with me, I suppose its because I don’t take it all very seriously and enjoy it for what it is, simple songs about simple topics in life.

Graduation –  85/100 I think part of the reason I like this album so much is cause it kind of vaguely sounds like video games. The organ sounds 2/3 of the way in is a nice touch.

Fish Bowl -  83/100 Cute little song about a fish, not much else to say

Big City – 92/100 An upbeat song with one two punch of a great chorus and even better pre-chorus

Break - 85/100 This song has a good message and is just generally catchy, what else could you want? It even has a chanting part.

Lipslap – 80/100 reminds me of super smash bros for some reason? Not quite sure why, but it’s a relatively fast song and the spoken word is fine.

Try Me – 80/100 I can see why people say this album sounds like a kids album but I suppose that’s part of the appeal, its lighthearted simple and reminds you of growing up. This song is a bit repetitive I must admit though.

Paintbrush – NA/100 Cute, soft interlude in the middle of a bunch of fun.

Trampoline -  85/100 Don’t forget to bounce, I really enjoy the verses of this song, I think I like them more than the chorus but both are still very good.

Picture This – 100/100 I don’t know what it is about this song but it turns all of the right gears its one of my favourite songs by them by a good margin

Hey Parents – 95/100 A cute song about meeting up with your parents again. Considering the theme of the entire album is growing up an graduating this is a great way to end the album off.

Score: 85/100

    Overall, this is one of my favourite albums. While I’m not quite sure if I’d rank this above Time ‘n’ Place, the reality is there is beauty in simplicity, and this album is just a bundle of joy wrapped up in fun synths and cute lyrics. While I don’t think this album is for everyone, if this album clicks, you will absolutely adore its lyrics. With the general theme being about growing up and becoming an adult, I suppose part of why it resonated with me so much was because I was transitioning into adulthood myself, so I too often found myself thinking about simpler times just daydreaming. What more can I say, I mean if you're looking for emo songs with confessional lyrics and 8 minute long masterpieces this album is not for you, but that's ok. Bonito Graduation is a statement album KKB, proving that you can still make a fantastic record without the need of serious themes or dramatic pieces.

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