I still remember the first time I hit play on Buffy Season 2, Episode 1. Lights off. Blanket on. Rain tapping the window. Then I heard it—Cibo Matto at The Bronze. If you want an even closer look at that exact moment, check out this detailed breakdown of the set at The Bronze. Soft voice. Heavy groove. Weird, cool, calm. My brain just went, “Oh, this feels different.”
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Wait, who’s Cibo Matto again?
Two artists from New York by way of Japan. They mix hip-hop beats with gentle vocals and odd, playful lyrics. Food shows up a lot. So does mood. It’s not loud pop. It’s more like a slow sway you feel in your chest.
If you want a factual rundown of their lineup changes, album releases, and side projects, the Cibo Matto Wikipedia page has you covered.
If you want the full story—deep cuts, trivia, and fresh analysis—take a quick spin through Yeah, Basically Cibo Matto and fall down the rabbit hole.
On Buffy, they played at The Bronze in the Season 2 opener, “When She Was Bad.” They did Sugar Water and Spoon. I watched that scene twice in a row. No shame. Plenty of fans still swap stories about how that performance hit them, like this nostalgia-soaked reflection.
How the scene plays
Buffy walks in looking sharp and brittle. The camera drifts. Cibo Matto slides in under the chatter. Sugar Water hums, warm and low. It feels like the room is breathing. You can almost see the bass line crawl across the floor. Then Spoon kicks in and adds a little edge. It’s moody, but not sad. Cool, but not cold. It matches Buffy’s face in a way words don’t.
Honestly, I thought it would feel dated. It kinda does. But in a good way—like a thrift sweater that somehow fits just right.
My real-life test
After that rewatch, I grabbed my old CD of Viva! La Woman. I bought it used at Amoeba years ago, sticker still on the case. I played Sugar Water on my small living room speaker while cooking noodles. Steam fogged the window. The beat sat in the air like a slow heartbeat. I wasn’t trying to dance. My foot did anyway.
Next day, I took a walk with Spoon in my earbuds. It’s got a shuffle to it—like your shoes know a secret. I passed a bakery and almost laughed because, well, Cibo Matto sings about food a lot. It all lined up.
What I love (and why Buffy nails it)
- The vibe is patient. It lets the scene breathe.
- The vocals sit soft, almost whisper-light, which makes the drums feel bigger.
- The music makes Buffy’s mood clear without a speech. It tells you she’s not okay, but she’s trying to be.
You know what? TV music can feel like a push. This didn’t. It felt like a hand on your shoulder.
Little things that bugged me
- The TV mix in that scene is a bit muddy. You lose some detail in the bass.
- If you want a big chorus you can belt in the car, this won’t scratch that itch.
- Some lyrics get odd on the full album. I like that. My friend didn’t. He said, “Why are they singing about chicken?” Fair.
Who will love this
If you like Portishead, Sneaker Pimps, or the quiet parts of Beck, this sits right next to that shelf. If you enjoy late-night coffee shop playlists, it’s your lane. If you only want fast radio hooks, maybe not.
Favorite moments I keep replaying
- Buffy’s slow sway while Sugar Water hums underneath.
- The beat drop in Sugar Water, when the kick gets a little thicker.
- The first few bars of Spoon at The Bronze. It’s like someone cracked a window.
Try these next (my short stack)
- Sugar Water — for rainy days and noodle pots.
- Spoon — for walks and thinking time.
- Know Your Chicken — weird, jumpy, fun.
- Birthday Cake — loud, messy, kind of perfect for a kitchen dance.
Final take
Cibo Matto on Buffy still hits. I’m clearly not the only one who feels that way—here’s another first-person review that lines up with a lot of what I felt. It’s moody, gentle, and oddly brave. The songs don’t rush. They just sit in the room and let you feel stuff. I came for the Slayer. I stayed for the bass line.
Score: 4.5 out of 5. Warm, strange, and still cool after all these years.