In 2006, while at the Oxegen Festival in Ireland, the Japanese Popstars were born out of the desire to hear the music for free. What better way, then with a live act,  they thought? Little did they know that after releasing their debut song Rodney Trotter, their pounding beats and electricly sleek sound would be a huge smash 3 years later and they would be releasing their second album We Are Just (Live) while playing to thousands of fans every show and travelling the world.

A lot has been written so far about The Japanese Popstars, and it’s all just deserved. The new album We Just Are (Live) is a live version on their already released We Just Are (2008). It was recorded live during their 2008 and 2009 touring schedule for We Just Are and includes a few new banging hits, including Rushed Jabb, which previously only appeared in remixed form on the Rise of Ulysses single.

The concert release gives you the same feeling as being at one of their shows. You can feel the crowd dancing to the music and it makes you want to dance right along with them. The introduction brings you into their world and grabs the hair on the back of your neck, readying you for what is yet to come. What makes each song, and the Japstars as a whole stand out, is the unique aural journey they take you on with every sound. Whether smashing in your ears with their heavy bass or sliding a distorted siren through your soul, they know how to make sure you’re listening and feeling what they want you to feel. Whether this comes from the fact that all three members are DJs or not, the excursion they take you on is fun, electric and is theirs alone.

1. We Just Are (Intro)
2. Sample Whore
3. Rushed Jabb
4. Total Distorted Mayhem
5. F19b Droppin Dirty Beats
6. Benni Benassi ‘Electro 16′ (The Japanese Popstars Remix)
7. Facemelter
8. Catapult (Live Edit)
9. Kid Roppongi
10. B.C.T.T
11. Rise of Ulysses (Live Edit)

This is a definite disc not to be missed. Any DJ worth his weight in electric salt should be dropping a Japstars track, as it will undoubtedly put the crowd into a frenzy.

You can listen to the entire album (and listen to We Just Are, as well as purchase both) here:
http://thejapanesepopstars.bandcamp.com/

For your enjoyment is live version of Facemelter:
Japanese Popstars - Facemelter (live)

Here’s a great remix they did, which was played much over the Summer of 2009.
Tong & Spoon - Gas Face (Japanese Popstars Remix)

Finally, here’s the radio edit for my favorite Japstars track, as well as the video:
Japanese Popstars - Rise of Ulysses (Radio Edit)

myspace.com/thejapanesepopstars
twitter.com/japstars