''Luxury'' is the second

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

by Japanese musician Fantastic Plastic Machine. It was released on September 10, 1998, by Readymade Records. The album was released in Germany on March 29, 1999, by Bungalow Records and in the United States on April 27, 1999, by Emperor Norton Records. ''Luxury'' is a continuation of Fantastic Plastic Machine's previous work in

Shibuya-kei is a microgenre of pop music or a general aesthetic that flourished in Japan in the mid-to-late 1990s. The music genre is distinguished by a "cut-and-paste" approach that was inspired by the kitsch, fusion, and artifice from certain music styl ...

, though in some tracks there are indications of a shift towards

house music House is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive Four on the floor (music), four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 115–130 beats per minute. It was created by DJs and music producers from Chicago's underground ...

with 1960s

northern soul Northern soul is a music and dance movement that emerged in Northern England and the Midlands in the early 1970s. It developed from the British Mod (subculture), mod scene, based on a particular style of African American music, Black American ...

and 1970s

Philadelphia soul Philadelphia soul, sometimes called Philly soul, the Philadelphia sound, Phillysound, or The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP), is a genre of late 1960s–1970s soul music characterized by funk influences and lush string and horn arrangements. The ...

influences, a path he explored more on his next album ''

Beautiful Beautiful, an adjective used to describe things as possessing beauty, may refer to: Film and theater * ''Beautiful'' (2000 film), an American film directed by Sally Field * ''Beautiful'' (2008 film), a South Korean film directed by Juhn Jai-h ...

''. ''Luxury'' features guest vocals from Lorraine Bowen,

Simon Fisher Turner Simon John Fisher Turner (born 21 November 1954) is an English musician, songwriter, composer, producer and actor. After portraying Ned East in the 1971 BBC TV adaptation of '' Tom Brown's Schooldays'' and roles in films such as '' The Big Sle ...

, and Yukari Fresh, among others.

Critical reception

Sarah Zupko of ''

PopMatters ''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, ...

'' wrote, "''Luxury'' revels in international, otherworldly sounds and collaborations with musicians who perfectly suit Tanaka's experimental bent." She called the album "an enjoyable, eclectic effort that fans of sophisticated Euro pop are sure to adore." In 2020, ''

Tokyo Weekender ''Tokyo Weekender'' is an English-language magazine published in Japan. Founded in 1970 by Corky Alexander and Susan Scully, ''Tokyo Weekender'' was first published bi-monthly. Now ''Tokyo Weekender'' is published monthly and is distributed in e ...

'' writer Ed Cunningham described ''Luxury'' as "more refined" than Fantastic Plastic Machine's self-titled debut, but nonetheless still an "inventive" work.

Track listing

Notes * On the German edition, the radio edit of "There Must Be an Angel" appears as track two, while the "Mix for Mirror Ball" version appears as track 14.

References

External links

* {{Authority control 1998 albums Fantastic Plastic Machine (musician) albums Nippon Columbia albums Emperor Norton Records albums