Seiko Matsuda – “Squall” review

Final verdict: 10/10 ★★★★★

Here’s the thing with Seiko Matsuda – I love her beyond imagination and I am actually obsessed with her. I mean, I listen to her almost constantly (this is no phase, either, and if it is, it’s seriously overstaying its welcome – it’s been a fucking YEAR), and she is a fashion icon of sorts to me, as I like to mimic her looks to the best of my ability. I guess I perfectly fit the stereotype of the weird idol enjoyer – but what can I do, I am just a girl, after all. I have to obsess over pretty girls singing cute songs and wearing princess dresses in a (successful, I must admit) attempt to fill the void and soothe the wounds I’ve gotten from life constantly beating my ass.

However, I have a secret to tell you, my dear reader, and please don’t tell anyone; I only really like Seiko’s early works. There, I said it. I listen to the same three albums by her on repeat, and that’s about it. Later material she put out is lackluster production-wise, and I kind of hate it. Can you imagine, calling myself a Seiko enthusiast, yet refusing to listen to 90% of her shit? Talk about being a poser.

“Squall” is one of the few albums of hers that I can get behind, though. I reckon “to get behind (something)” implies compliance, so let me make myself clear; I ADORE “Squall”. I just wanted to use that phrase. Squall is easily one of my most-played albums in recent times. Be grateful I’m listening on digital and don’t own the vinyl, because I’d have rubbed the poor thing raw, flattened the grooves with how much I listen to this album. That’s how much I love it.

I mean, the songs are cute, overwhelmingly so at times, and they always get me giggling and blushing and kicking my feet in the air and such. That should tell you everything you need to know, however I’d like to also make a point of how good the production on this thing is. You get rock ‘n’ roll-adjacent arrangements that sound “full”, if that makes sense, all without being overwhelming to listen to. I think that’s a beautiful thing.

Uhh yeah that’s all. Music cute music good. 8/10, just so I can give her best album (“Silhouette”, by the way) a 9/10 and also because the penultimate track kind of sucks. Other than that, it’s everything I could ever want in the form of an album. This is seriously what dreams are made of. Thanks, Seiko.

EDIT (March 2025): Yeah shut up. 10/10. Yeah.