Larme de crocodile

Released in 1997, Larme de Crocodile (Crocodile Tears) serves as the definitive debut full-length from Kahimi Karie, following a series of highly influential EPs. While Karie was a central figure in the Shibuya-kei movement, this album leans heavily into a melancholic, chanson-inspired aesthetic that distinguishes it from the more upbeat, kitschy output of her peers. The record is a collaborative tour de force, featuring significant songwriting and conceptual input from Scottish musician Momus, whose cynical and surreal lyricism perfectly offsets Karie's breathy delivery. Production contributions from Yasuharu Konishi (Pizzicato Five) and Philippe Katerine add layers of lounge and experimental pop. Karie stated the album's intent was to explore the feeling of being alone, resulting in a sonic palette that favors accordion, sparse percussion, and intimate, close-mic vocals. It remains a landmark of 90s Japanese alternative pop, blending high-fashion artifice with genuine emotional vulnerability.