Sometimes I think You’ll Melt More! is the most criminally underrated group of all in the sub-sub-genre of music we celebrate here. They exist in this odd spot where they’re too big for the chika circuit, but yet just out of reach of the true heights of fame and praise they truly deserve.

While other groups get more Western fan attention with outlandish stunts and forced controversy, YLMM! focus on actually making fantastic music with a lot of heart and earnest ambition. Clearly when you see the sizes of their crowds and the loyalty of their fans, it’s notable that they’ve done very well for themselves, but I really feel like they deserve even more than what they’ve already (impressively) achieved.

https://twitter.com/ylmlm_staff/status/1102494077650530305

I’ll even admit that I don’t always give them the love they deserve as often as I should, and that’s simply an offense on my part. I think the issue is that You’ll Melt More! have been making their psyche-fueled-freakout-krautrock-inspired magic since 2012, and when an idol group lasts this long, we kind of start to take them for granted, and that’s a terrible mistake!

One of the personal course-corrections I made for for 2019 is that I would get back to aggressively supporting this group as vocally as they deserve, and this recent live video of the group performing their nearly eight-minute space-rock monsterpiece “Only You” from their their 2015 magnum opus album “You Are The World” is the perfect window to refresh what is already gloriously refreshing.

This video highlights the final stop on their tour for the “Never Give Up Drunk Monkeys” release, shot at Zepp Tokyo in front of their most loyal fans, and it’s a document of just what kind of greatness idols are capable of with a lot of heart, soul, and quite a bit of physical risk as well. I know there’s plenty of videos for “Only You” floating around, but I never get tired of watching them perform this epic. I’d say this is the song to pull out if you want to sell this group to a friend unfamiliar with them, but also, this is a great piece of music to show that person in your life who doesn’t even know what idol music is. It’s peak non-traditional art idol in my eyes, and a great summation of what our favorite misunderstood genre of music can achieve.

https://twitter.com/ylmlm_K/status/1102580140138098691

And then there’s the performance itself, the vocals have that not-quite-perfect but yet lovely ring, the set is amazing, the dragon dancers add just the right flavor, and the emotions! Kechon has tears streaming down her face, and those are the tears of hard work and giving it your all for your art. Chiffon is still the most underrated idol vocalists around, and cooler than cucumbers in the freezer. Ano is Ano and thank goodness for that, doing her Ano-ish things, including spending plenty of time floating around on the adoring crowd.

And of course we have Younapi, who should’ve been voted Queen of the Scene multiple times over, fearlessly climbing a ladder like she’s about to pull the wrestling finishing move of the year while hyping up the audience with positive vibes of pure charm. I swear, every time I watch an “Only You” performance I want high-five the sun in the sky. It’s just beautiful.

Also, I’m glad Younapi got down from that ladder okay. (Off camera) That made me a little anxious.

2019 is still young, and Spring is around the corner. Still plenty of time for You’ll Melt More! to continue their usual pace and release an album, six EPs, ten singles, and a gazillion MVs before the year ends. I’m looking forward to all of it!!