"Biri-Biri" (from Japanese ビリビリ, onomatopoeia for the sound of electric shock) is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi. It was released as a standalone single in both Japanese and English versions on November 18, 2023, through Sony Music Entertainment Japan, to commemorate the first anniversary of 2022 role-playing video games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet releases.
Background and release
On November 16, 2023, Yoasobi and The Pokémon Company's role-playing video games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet announced a collaboration for celebrating the games' first anniversary by song titled "Biri-Biri",[1] slated for release in both Japanese- and English-language versions, the latter was translated by Konnie Aoki, simultaneously on November 18, 2023, the same date as the first anniversary of the games.[2]
Lyrics and composition
"Biri-Biri" was inspired by the game-based short story Kimi to Ameagari o (きみと雨上がりを, lit. 'After the Rain with You'), written by novelist Ayano Takeda. The story tells about "treasure hunting" of the video games' characters: Nemona, a student council president in Naranja Academy in Paldea region, and Anna, a transfer student.[3]
The song was described as an electropop song[4] with hip-hop elements,[5] adding Pokémon-styled video game music.[6] It is about bond between rivals, which lyrics reference to all Pokémon video games from Red and Blue to most recent Scarlet and Violet.[7][8] In a Vogue Taiwan interview, Ayase explained the song "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."[9]
Music video
An accompanying 3D-animated music video for "Biri-Biri" premiered on November 18, 2023, the same day as the single release, at 22:00 JST.[10] Directed by Ryō Sasaki,[11] the visual features characters Nemona and Anna journey and bond with a variety of Pokémon,[12] including Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Fidough, and Gengar, as well as their interacting. It also shows Pokémon battles and the two riding Cyclizar and Koraidon together.[5] The English version music video was uploaded later on December 4.[13]
Yoasobi performed "Biri-Biri" for the first time on December 1, 2023, at Clockenflap music festival in Hong Kong, as part their first Asia Tour.[14][15] The duo debuted the televised performance of the song, featuring an augmented reality of various Pokémons, at Music Station Super Live 2023 on December 22.[16][17]
The first live performance of "Biri-Biri" at Clockenflap music festival in Hong Kong on December 1, 2023
