Kahimi Karie is a name I heard many years ago, I don't remember how. She has released several albums and is part of the Shibuya Sound, which includes Cornelius and Pizzicato Five. My interest in her resurfaced when I saw her name referenced in the Detroit Metal City comic book - apparently, she is the favourite singer of Negishi-kun, the lead singer of the band in his alias Johannes Krauser II. This four-song EP comes with a mini-disc of songs that seem to be the same as the ones on the CD-sized EP. First song "''''''''''''''!" is sweet and "la la la" modern, credited to Serge Gainsbourg, and busy with lots of productive sounds, wiry and somewhat gritty, it's a superb bit of soundsmanship. Second song "''''" uses a bit of Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" riff and has a bit of fun, with lots more "la la lai la la la la la la". KK comes more into her own on third track "'''''''L'amour'", where she's actually singing - a duet, nonetheless - with real drama and pathos. "''''''''''''''!" goes back to the "da da da da, da da da da da da", but finishes it off with some pleasant birdsong. Gorgeous EP.