Sakana & Stringrays
Music of Japan #2
From Tokyo RnB to Fukuoka Rock 🗾
Hi everyone!
This edition features a selection of uplifting tunes. These songs span two genres upon which many Japanese artists have imprinted their own characteristics with unique melodies and chord structures: Indie Rock & Alternative RnB.
I sincerely hope you enjoy today’s mix of songs and perhaps discover a new artist you love.
聞きましょう (Let’s Listen)!
“Shin Takarajima” by Sakanaction
🎶 new wave, indie rock 📍sapporo 🗓️ released on 30th september 2015
Sakanaction are a 5-piece band that are well established within the Japanese alternative rock scene (even frequently topping Billboard’s Japan top 100 chart).
Their intriguing name is a blend word of “Sakana”, which is Japanese for Fish and “action”. The band state that their unique name represents their wish to act quickly and lightly, like a fish in the water, without fearing changes in the music scene. Constantly bending their genre, the group have released 8 studio albums since 2007, often fusing rock, electronica and elements of new wave.
“Shin Takarajima” (name taken from the mid-century manga/comic of the same name) is perhaps their most popular, or at least most streamed song to date. Upon hearing this in 2019, I was instantly drawn to its shamelessly retro/kitsch nature, simple and yet catchy guitar riff, along with its 80’s style synth-riffs. Matching the 80’s theme is the wonderfully colourful, energetic and self-mocking music video, complete with bright lights, joyous cheerleaders and effortlessly cool dance moves from the band members.
In what are beautifully simple lyrics, lead vocalist Ichiro Yamaguchi sings about the intense and disciplined approach that a manga artist brings to his craft.
Other great songs by Sakanaction include “SHOCK!” and “Tsuki No Wan” from their latest album as well as “忘れられないの” (I can’t forget).
Check out the band’s website here and Yamaguchi’s pretty active and fun Instagram page here (he does a lot of spontaneous live streams).
“bud” by Shin Sakiura
🎶 alternative rnb 📍tokyo 🗓️ released on 21st june 2023 ⭐️NEW
After playing in several bands, it was when Shin Sakiura decided to start producing music under his own name in 2015 that he really found his voice.
The producer/beat-maker combines bouncy hip-hop beats with elements of chill RnB to form a funky, soulful sound. Three albums later (of some of the most mood-lifting music out there) Shin Sakiura yesterday (28th June 2023) released his latest, “Inner Division”.
The stand-out track on it for me is the RnB track “bud”, where well placed vocal samples compliment his bass-heavy instrumental and there’s some fun guitar fills included. Equally as strong are the vocals, which are as mellow as the backing music he produces.
Ideal music for the summer days now upon us, this short, playful track is definitely worth a few listens, as is the rest of Sakiura’s new album.
You can learn more about Shin Sakiura and his music on his website here and follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
“TELECASTER STRIPES” by POLKADOT STINGRAY
🎶 indie rock 📍fukuoka 🗓️ released on 4th march 2016
This song has a rather obscure meaning behind its title - A “ Telecaster stripe” refers to the stripe on the neck of a Fender Telecaster electric guitar, which is often a different colour to the rest of the instrument.
Anyway, enough trivia, this song is very popular even outside of Japan and for good reason.
POLKADOT STINGRAY are four-piece indie rock band that have been making waves within the music scene in Japan and beyond since the mid 2010s. In 2016, “Telecaster Stripes”, their first nationwide release, hit 1M views on YouTube within 6 months.
Whilst the magic laundrette scenery of the music video is cool, what makes this song whole is its fast guitar melodies, relentless energy and lead singer Shizuku’s powerful and endearing vocals.
POLKADOT STINGRAY have released a lot of fantastic music since too: see “ICHIDAIJI” (The First Thing To Do) and “A Stinging Spica” for reference.
Here’s their website, their Twitter account and their Instagram for you to dive into.
“DRAMA” by Iri
🎶 alternative rnb 📍zushi 🗓️ released on 10th may 2023 ⭐️NEW
Iri is a versatile singer-songwriter who captivates listeners with her smoky vocals and hip-hop inspired RnB compositions.
Based in the ocean-side city of Zushi in Japan’s Kanagawa prefecture, Iri broke onto the scene in 2016 with her debut album ‘Groove it’. With every release after this (highlighting 2020’s “Sparkle” in particular), she appears to constantly refine her sound and further establish herself as a versatile and genre-bending pop star.
In her latest album, “PRIVATE”, Iri presents a track list of really chill songs with her trademark vocals in a range of music styles. The track that I’ve picked out from an excellent selection is “DRAMA”.
Her lyrics about the relentless supply of drama that fills her life are supported by an uplifting piano ditty combined with a sliding percussive bassline and heavy backbeat. It’s head-boppingly rhythmic and warm.
Although Iri will often revolve between different styles, many of her songs are also dance influenced - an example of this is “Matenrou” (Skyscaper). Watch it performed live here.
Be sure to check out her website here, follow her on Instagram here and keep up with her on Twitter here.
“I love you Wasted Junks & Greens” by the band apart
🎶 indie rock 📍tokyo 🗓️ released 14th may 2008
This emphatic four-piece have long circulated Japan’s alternative rock scene, forming in Tokyo in 1998. ‘the band apart’, who’s songs tend to adopt both Japanese and English lyrics, have released 9 albums, 20 EPs and 6 DVDs to date. Their most recent release is 2022’s “Ninja of Four”, which I highly recommend.
I first heard the band for myself as a teenager on the then 4-year old YouTube in 2010. I was fascinated by the way in which these talented musicians complimented each other - the funky guitar chords and licks, the slapped bass riffs, the high-octane drums. The first few songs I discovered are the above, “led” and “I Can’t Remember”.
“I love you Wasted Junks & Greens” has a catchy vocal melody, intense guitar lines and a driving bass line and beat that you can’t help but catch on to. What also stands out is the charming lo-fi music video, set presumably out in the Japanese countryside.
I highly recommend exploring their array of music videos on YouTube - you may discover some of your new favourite songs from their extensive discography.
Here’s the band’s website and the Twitter and Instagram accounts of lead singer Takeshi Arai.
Thank you for reading! I hope you discovered some music you may have liked in this edition. If you have any thoughts on how I can improve this newsletter and your experience with it, please send me an email at themusicofjapan@gmail.com.