Celebrating their 10th anniversary, XaaXaa released their third greatest hits album, Best Album Chuudoku Shoujou San (ベストアルバム中毒症状〜三〜), on March 30. Aptly titled “Symptoms of Addiction”, the two-disc collection features 23 tracks that trace the band’s evolution while showcasing their signature sound: unpredictable, emotionally charged, and irresistibly catchy. Thanks to Chaotic Harmony Imports, we had the opportunity to review the album in full.

While XaaXaa’s latest EP, Raku na Shinikata, is available digitally, Chuudoku Shoujou San remains partly exclusive. The physical edition—currently available internationally through CDJapan—is the only format for purchase and includes rare singles like Nozokitai.

Greatest hits albums can often feel like scattered patchworks, but Chuudoku Shoujou San plays more like a curated gallery, each song a vivid brushstroke in a full-spectrum portrait of “XaaXaa”. Rather than following a linear path through their discography, the band offers two distinct yet complementary sonic landscapes across the discs. The result is a compelling dive into their eclectic style, equal parts explosive and introspective.

Jacket for XaaXaa’s third best-of album, “Chuudoku Shoujo San”.

Disc one: an aggressive launch

Disc one wastes no time making an impression. With crashing cymbals and vocalist Kazuki’s urgent countdown, the album launches straight into XaaXaa’s aggressive territory. Tracks like Haretsu (破裂) and Suibotsu (水没) kick down the door, shifting between upbeat punk energy and brooding heaviness. It’s an exhilarating introduction that sets the tone for the band’s shape-shifting capabilities.

A standout moment comes with Chameleon Onna (カメレオン女), one of my personal favorites. The song exemplifies XaaXaa’s signature dichotomy: catchy melodies paired with emotionally bleak storytelling. Playful lyrics about short skirts and heels are undercut by jabbing guitar plucks, adding a hint of unease to the seemingly bright song.

Here, the narrator is a performative shapeshifter, willing to become whatever it takes to be seen—until they dissolve entirely, discarded in the pursuit of attention. The melody lingers, but what truly resonates is how human and relatable it feels. Many of us can likely see ourselves in XaaXaa’s narratives.

Disc one plays through with seamless shifts in tone, balancing melancholic introspection with high-tempo rock. It closes on a particularly poignant pairing: Gogatsubyou (五月病) and Satsukiyami (五月闇). Both songs play on the Japanese word for “May”, yet convey dramatically different moods.

The former is moody, chugging, and direct, with a reluctant silver lining of hope. The other feels disoriented and raw, layered with distorted guitars and dark, meandering lyrics that pluck along the rhythm loosely, stumbling into a strained, hopeless chorus. This juxtaposition captures XaaXaa’s core appeal: their ability to explore emotional extremes without losing cohesion.

Disc two: XaaXaa today

Disc two continues XaaXaa’s story with fan favorites before closing on a powerful set of recent singles.

Softening the landing from Satsukiyami only slightly, it dives back into vibrant, hook-laden territory. Opening with Aza, the energy ramps up instantly, driven by pulsing basslines and melodic urgency. Soon after, the standout track Juugatsu Itsuka Suiyoubi, Bara Bara takes center stage with its soaring chorus and addictive hooks—a song that practically demands repeat listens.

The disc culminates in a compelling run of recent singles: Draw, Boku to OD, Nozokitai, and Kasa ga nai. Here, XaaXaa’s versatility shines, moving effortlessly from pop-inflected melodies to jagged screams. These tracks also reflect the band’s growth: more polished than ever, yet emotionally unfiltered. Among them, Nozokitai stands out as a turning point, highlighting their musical maturity and willingness to embrace a heavier sound.

Collected together, these singles signal a new chapter, one that leads directly into their latest EP, Raku na Shinikata. With this trajectory, XaaXaa seems well on their way to a new album, and if these releases are any indication, we can expect some of their darkest, most compelling work yet.

Looking ahead

As the title suggests, Chuudoku Shoujou San is less a retrospective than a reminder: XaaXaa’s music is habit-forming for good reason. It offers catharsis, vulnerability, and emotional release, all wrapped in striking, genre-bending arrangements. More than a look back, this album captures who XaaXaa is now and hints at the many paths still ahead.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, this release serves as both a powerful reintroduction and an open invitation. And if you’re stepping into their world for the first time, consider this review your introductory handshake. If you catch yourself hitting repeat a few too many times, don’t worry—you’re not alone. I’ll see you at the next XaaXaa-holics Anonymous meeting.

If you enjoyed this review, I highly recommend checking out XaaXaa’s latest EP, Raku na Shinikata. It feels like Chuudoku Shoujou San was the perfect setup for their next era, bolder, darker, and more daring than ever.