Review: Pikotaro is a fictional singer-songwriter created and portrayed by Japanese comedian Daimaou Kosaka; his persona's breakout single 'PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)' was first released on YouTube in 2016, becoming an overnight viral sensation. Once billed as the next 'Gangnam Style', 'PPAP' themes itself after an excruciatingly corny but funny household banality: Kosaka was allegedly sitting in his house, trying to come up with lyrics for his next song and realised that not only was he holding a pen, but also that there was a tin of pineapple slices resting on the kitchen counter. Thus, in the consequent music video, Pikotaro is seen dressed in a yellow leopard print costume, unaffectedly dancing around his living room, singing "I have a pen, I have an apple. Uh!", all while gesticulating and holding said items firmly in hand. Clearly, inspiration is a matter of feeling and intuition, not content. Only now, almost unbelievably, has this viral hit seen a 7" vinyl record release via Avex Japan.
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