Biri-Biri

"Biri-Biri" (from Japanese , onomatopoeia for the sound of electric shock) is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi. It was released as a single on November 18, 2023, through Sony Music Entertainment Japan to commemorate the first anniversary of the release of 2022 role-playing video games ''Pokémon Scarlet'' and ''Violet''. Commercially, "Biri-Biri" peaked at number 14 on the ''Billboard'' Japan Hot 100 and number 19 on the Oricon Combined Singles Chart.

Background and release

On November 16, 2023, Yoasobi and The Pokémon Company's role-playing video games ''Pokémon Scarlet'' and ''Violet'' announced a collaboration to celebrate the games' first anniversary with the song titled "Biri-Biri", slated for release in both Japanese- and English-language versions, the latter translated by Konnie Aoki, simultaneously on November 18, 2023, the same date as the first anniversary of the games. The limited black-and-white CD single and scarlet-and-violet 12-inch vinyl formats were released on March 13, 2024, which included code for receiving special Pawmot on the games. The English-language version was included on the duo's third English-language EP ''E-Side 3'', released on April 12, 2024.

Lyrics and composition

"Biri-Biri" was inspired by the game-based short story , written by novelist Ayano Takeda. The story tells about "treasure hunting" of the video games' characters: Nemona, a student council president at Naranja Academy in Paldea region, and Anna, a transfer student.

"Biri-Biri" was described as an electropop song with hip-hop elements, and drum and bass rhythms. adding ''Pokémon''-styled video game music. The song is about the bond between rivals, which the lyrics reference all ''Pokémon'' video games from ''Red'' and ''Blue'' to the most recent ''Scarlet'' and ''Violet''. In an interview with '' Vogue Taiwan'' in December 2023, Ayase explained about the song that "does not want to convey any life message, nor does it want to tell you how to live in the future. It simply expresses our love for ''Pokémon''."

Music video

An accompanying music video for "Biri-Biri" premiered on November 18, 2023, the same date as the single release, at 22:00 JST. Directed by Ryō Sasaki, the 3D-animated visual features Nemona and Anna's journey and bond with a variety of Pokémon, including Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Fidough, and Gengar. It also shows Pokémon battles and Nemona and Anna riding Cyclizar and Koraidon together. Later, the English version's music video was uploaded on December 4.

Live performances

Yoasobi performed "Biri-Biri" for the first time on December 1, 2023, at Clockenflap music festival in Hong Kong, as part of their first Asia Tour, which was included on the tour's setlist. In the Jakarta and New Taipei City shows, Pikachu, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly mascots also joined the performance. It was also a part of the setlist for their Pop Out Zepp Tour, and Coachella festival. The duo debuted the televised performance of the song at '' Music Station'' special episode ''Super Live 2023'' on December 22, featuring augmented reality of various Pokémon. At the Bunnies Camp 2024 Tokyo Dome, Yoasobi performed the song with NewJeans.

Track listing

* Digital download and streaming
# "Biri-Biri" – 3:07
# "Biri-Biri" (English version) – 3:07

* CD single and 12-inch vinyl
# "Biri-Biri" – 3:07
# "Biri-Biri" (English version) – 3:07
# "Biri-Biri" (instrumental) – 3:07

Credits and personnel

* Ayase – songwriter, producer
* Ikura – vocals
* Ayano Takeda – based story writer
* Konnie Aoki – English lyrics, English version vocal direction
* BFNK – English lyrics, English version vocal direction
* Takayuki Saitō – vocal recording (original)
* Kunio Nishikawara – vocal recording (English version)
* Masahiko Fukui – mixing
* Hidekazu Sakai – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Monthly charts

Release history

References

External links

''Kimi to Ameagari o'' short story

{{Pokémon

2023 singles
2023 songs
Electropop songs
Song recordings produced by Ayase (music producer)
Songs from Pokémon
Songs in Japanese
Songs written by Ayase (music producer)
Sony Music Entertainment Japan singles
Yoasobi songs