What makes Beautiful. by Fantastic Plastic Machine notable?

Beautiful received critical acclaim for its inventive sound and was noted for its commercial success in Japan, reaching significant chart positions. The album played a role in popularizing the Shibuya-kei genre outside Japan and influenced a wave of electronic artists looking to blend pop sensibilities with experimental sounds. Released on January 17, 2001, Beautiful is Fantastic Plastic Machine's second album, following their debut Aesthetic. At this point in their career, the group had already established themselves in the Shibuya-kei scene, blending various genres with a distinct Japanese flair that resonated with international audiences.

How many songs are on Beautiful.?

Beautiful. has 13 tracks, running approximately 63 minutes.

Beautiful.

Fantastic Plastic Machine · 2001

63 min · 13 tracks · house music

A vibrant fusion of electronic beats and retro pop, harmonizing lush melodies with a playful, psychedelic flair.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I Am Beautiful — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its catchy hook and upbeat rhythm, encapsulating the album's overarching themes of self-acceptance and positivity.
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Love Is Psychedelic — This track showcases a rich tapestry of sounds, merging dreamy synths with infectious beats, illustrating the album's adventurous spirit and artistic range.
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Todos os desejos — With its languid tempo and lush instrumentation, this track captures the essence of neo-psychedelia while evoking a sense of longing and introspection.
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Take Me to the Disco (Malibu mix) — Closing the album, this track blends disco rhythms with modern electronic elements, creating an uplifting finale that invites listeners back to dance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases inventive arrangements and a playful sound, but its impact is more localized within the genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a lush, layered arrangement that introduces a consistent mid-tempo groove across its first half.
Several tracks feature intricate electronic textures and playful melodies, often employing unexpected shifts in rhythm and instrumentation.
The final three tracks create a gradual descent in energy, with the last track featuring a more subdued and reflective tone.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 I Am Beautiful 0:04
2 Beautiful Days 4:28
3 Paragon 5:09
4 Love Is Psychedelic 5:59
5 On a Chair 6:17
6 Whistle Song 8:02
7 One Minute of Love 0:59
8 Todos os desejos 7:27
9 I’m Still a Simple Man 4:40
10 Black Dada 3:58
11 God Save the Mona Lisa 5:12
12 Beautiful Days (reprise) 4:19
13 Take Me to the Disco (Malibu mix) 6:26

What to play next

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata