Release Date: January 30, 2013
Track List
- Shuwa Shuwa BABY (シュワシュワBABY)
- Beri Beri Like U (ベリベリLike U)
- Shuwa Shuwa BABY (Instrumental) (シュワシュワBABY)
- Beri Beri Like U (Instrumental) (ベリベリLike U)
Review
PURETTY is a Korean girl group formed by DSP Entertainment. They debuted in Japan in 2012 under Universal Music Japan. Shuwa Shuwa Baby is their second Japanese single and is the ending theme song for the anime Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future.
The first thing you may notice about this group is that they sound much like their label mates KARA. A lot. Whether you find that to be rather unoriginal or not is subjective. I think that is okay; why not borrow a little inspiration from a fellow Korean group who are way more successful in Japan?
The a-side (Shuwa Shuwa Baby) is a typical crossover Korean-flavoured J-Pop. It’s nothing mind-blowing, but it’s arranged in a way that makes it feel shorter than its 3-minute running time. That is brilliant, considering how generic sounding this could be to those who have their feet in the Hallyu pool.
The b-side (Beri Beri Like U) doesn’t deviate much from the formula. Given its title, you would expect this to be a play on Strawberry Shortcake or perhaps have some sort of food reference, but nope. It’s just easier (and cutesy) pronunciation for non-English speakers.
Overall, Shuwa Shuwa Baby is a song that will most likely be lost in the shuffle of similar-sounding songs in your collection of Hallyu crossovers, should you take a chance on it.
