Sheep Literature
Music of Japan #4
Some new tunes from Nippon 🇯🇵
Hi everyone!
It’s been a very busy week for me - that’s why you’re receiving this issue a little bit later in the week than normal (apologies!).
Not that this has stopped me in discovering some great new music, of course.
This week, I’ve been scouring my Japanese new music sources for the trending alternative and indie music of the moment. Below are 5 great new tracks from a selection of unique artists, each with their own distinct sound and personality.
On a side note, I’m excited to announce that Music of Japan now has playlists including all of the newsletter’s musical selections on Spotify and Apple Music. Be sure to follow my playlist on your chosen music streaming platform and never miss a song + easily find and add any songs you like to your own playlists.
If you use a different music provider and would like me to create a playlist there, please let me know
Enjoy the selections!
羊文学。。？ それは何ですか？ (Sheep Literature? What is that?)
“In Your Life” by くるり (Quruli)
🎶 alternative rock 📍kyoto 🗓️ released on 28th june 2023 ⭐️NEW
Kyoto-born alt-rock veterans Quruli released a bright new single last week, ushering in the summer with a light but crunchy guitar riff.
Formed in 1996, Quruli have released a staggering 25 albums (live included) in their 27-year career, along with 39 singles including “In Your Life”. Quruli are led by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Shigeru Kishida and supported by bass guitarist (and also president of the band’s record label), Masashi Sato. After original member Nobuyuki Mori left the band in 2002, they have played with a string of supporting and full-time drummers.
Quruli have released various popular singles over the past two decades, including their funky pop number “Amber City, Shanghai Crab Morning” and the gracious “Bara No Hana” (Rose Flower).
“In Your Life” is a nostalgia-tinted song with positive undertones. Kishida’s sparingly descriptive lyrics, sung in a warm and rich tone, appear to centre around the singer making a journey near the coast in his old car (with Steely Dan on the radio) to an unknown destination, where he eventually gets out to next to the sea.
The track’s simple verses are expanded upon with a driving bridge and electrifying chorus. In short, a pleasant alt-rock number that I could imagine playing in the car on a warm day.
Visit Quruli’s website here for more information on the band and explore more of their music via their YouTube channel here.
Day After Day by Pasocom Music Club (ft. Mei Takahashi)
🎶 electronic, dance 📍osaka 🗓️ released 10th may 2023 ⭐️NEW
Pasocom Music Club (Personal Computer Music Club) is a synth-pop duo consisting of Aoi Shibata and Masato Nishiyama, formed in Osaka back in 2015. After Shibata and Nishiyama went to a second-hand shop with ¥10,000 and bought some cheap 90’s synthesisers, they began gaining exposure by posting their music on SoundCloud. They have proceeded to release 4 albums and 4 EPs since 2017.
The band’s 4th album, “Fine Line”, has already been garnering attention from Japanese media, with the duo being featured as guests on NHK FM (public broadcaster) on release day. With its themes cantering around space and aliens, Fine Line has a cosmic energy to it and, in my humble opinion, one of the coolest album covers of the year so far (below).
From this atmospheric and quirky dance album, I have selected “Day After Day”, the final track. Grounded by a driving techno kick drum beat and coated with the song’s beautifully mellow synth loop, the song then erupts in its various drops and chorus with complimenting synth melodies and a complex dance beat.
Joining the group for this song is Mei Takahashi, one-half of the Sapporo electronic outfit, LAUSBUB. Mei injects character and enhanced emotion into Day After Day using her charming and soft vocals, describing the persistence of a strong love she has for someone. Takahashi also takes centre stage in the artistic and visually stimulating music video.
This sparkling dance number is a real treat to finish off the album but could equally hold its own as a single.
Check out Pasocom Music Club’s intriguing website here and follow them on Instagram here. To explore the music of Mei Takahashi and LAUSBUB, visit their YouTube channel here.
“永遠のブルー”(Eternal Blue) by 羊文学(Hitsujibungaku)
🎶 alternative rock 📍tokyo 🗓️ released on 1st march 2023 ⭐️NEW
Hitsujibungaku are a female rock trio from Tokyo, formed in 2011. Their unique name literally translates to “Sheep Literature” 🐑. The band members are Moeka Shiotsuka (vocals, guitar), Yurika Kasai (bass), and Hiroa Fukuda (drums).
Their brand of indie rock, full of clean and reverberated guitars, is intensified by Shiotsuka’s pure vocals, with lyrics often focused on dark themes. To date, they currently have 3 excellent albums to their name.
“Eternal Blue” was released back in early March 2023 as single, with a cool music video following later that month, featuring lofi anime style fight scene visuals. The song’s introduction and chorus swept me away like a tide upon first listen - the song has a reverberated sound to it like many 90’s rock songs and the sound is clean and refreshing.
Since this release, Hitsujibungaku have a new single out - “FOOL”. If you like what you hear above, be sure to listen here.
Visit the band’s pretty creatively designed website here and their Instagram page here.
“Moneyman”by TESTSET
🎶 electronic, dance 📍tokyo 🗓️ released on 9th june 2023 ⭐️NEW
TESTSET are the new incarnation of what was called “Metafive”, something of a Japanese supergroup, which included the late Yukihiro Takahashi who was a member of the very famous band Yellow Magic Orchestra, Keigo Oyamada (AKA Corneilius) who I mentioned in the last issue and Towa Tei of the house/dance act Deee-Lite (who rose to fame with “Groove is in the Heart” in the 90s).
Upon the break-up of Metafive, members Leo Imai and Yoshinori Sunahara welcomed in two new members (Kenichi Shirane and Seiichi Nagai) to form TESTSET, an electronic act with a retro sound.
After releasing their first EP under the name TESTSET in 2022, they revealed their newest single, “Moneyman” in June 2023. The song has a strong 80’s vibe with its appreciated synths, reverberated drum beat, and funky guitar riffs. “Moneyman” is completed by an immensely catchy chorus.
Listen to more of TESTSET’s music on YouTube here and follow the band on Instagram here.
“Furai” (Fly) by Kroi
🎶 soul, funk, rnb 📍tokyo 🗓️ 29th march 2023 ⭐️NEW
I’ve picked a blissfully smooth number to round off this issue.
Kroi are a versatile 5-piece funk-rock band formed in 2018. Their unique sound sits at an intersection between RnB, Soul, Funk, Rock, and Hip-Hop. Admirably, each of Kroi’s members have also ventured into other creative endeavours outside of the band, including fashion design and music production, disseminating them into the Japanese creative/culture scene.
The band have released 2 albums, 11 singles, and 5 EPs. “Furai” is from their latest, titled “Magnet”.
“Furai” is a feel-good song led by lead singers Leo Uchida’s velvety voice, carried with a punch by bass player Masanori Seki’s basslines and drenched in funky musical gold by the gorgeous keys, played by Daiki Chiba. Pristine funk guitar riffing and a soothing backbeat are provided by Yuki Hasebe (guitar) and Hidetomo Masuda (drums). Other highlights of this track include the active horn section in the background, the funky middle eight section, and the heavenly backing vocals & harmonies provided.
Visit Kroi’s website here, follow the band on Instagram here and check out more of their music via their YouTube channel here.
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 get in touch at musicofjapan@gmail.com.