Throwback single from Air! After a couple albums filled with ill-thought out pop experimentation ("Surfing On A Rocket"??), "Cherry Blossom Girl(1)" was a breath of fresh… no, wait, let me start over. "Cherry Blossom Girl" is classic Air, a lush and beautiful track that came out of nowhere during a really stale period in their career, and which could easily be mistaken as an outtake from Moon Safari or their Virgin Suicides soundtrack. But of course, you're buying this for the seldom heard Simian Mobile Disco remix(2). You're in luck, 'cause that happens to be a burner, too, proving that SMD have been doing this Daft Punk-y electro house thing since way back in… 2004. Everything about this mix is cool: the glitchy sound kits, the electrified (and hella sped up) riff from the original track, and especially the big breakdown / build-up in the middle. Also included is "Fanny(3)," a gentle, stripped-down demo version of "Cherry Blossom Girl" that's totally worth listening to on its own. A-side plays at 45; B-side plays at 33. Recommended.

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red