Skip into this week’s issue of Shibuya’s Scrambled Sounds !

Hi everyone, I hope you had a nice couple of weeks.

Just some short write ups this week of what I thought were the most interesting listens these past couple of weeks.

Reviews of the best new albums that came out recently
*with some exceptions

Genre: Art Pop, Chamber Pop
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

Named after the tragic Greek character, Eiko Ishibashi returns with a foray into classical inspired soundscapes backed by an ensemble of accomplished musicians.

The sounds on this album are rather somber, with an overwhelming feeling of sadness. I mean, just look at that cover, grey clouds (?) overseeing a city in the distance, all monochrome.

The moments that dazzle are really impressive, especially the explosive middle section of the ever-expanding “The Model”. Yet in the midst of the misty lull of the instrumentation, Ishibashi’s vocals consistently soar throughout.

While not my favorite Ishibashi release, it’s still an entertaining release with so much to uncover.

*Humble brag - I was at the release show for this album tee hee

Rating: 🥧🥧 Oh that’s hot
Favorite Tracks: October, Coma, Mona Lisa, The Model, Antigone

Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Rock
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

Yes, the artist name is just Mom.

A mixed bag of ambitious tracks held together by lyrics talking about AI, the future, and how taking care of yourself is important during this time of technological innovations.

This one is quite a long ride and you could easily digest this in bursts based on where the “AI Suggesti∞n” tracks occur. To me, the most impressive part of this album is Mom’s attention to detail and tender caring love. *laugh track

A bit of a task to get through, but the great tracks are amazing and worth checking out.

Rating: 🥧🥧 Oh that’s hot
Favorite Tracks: 3, 4, 9, 15,18

Genre: City Pop-Revival, Synth Pop
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

Another new album from a City Pop-Revival legend, Hitomitoi, the vocalist for the first Ryusenkei album, is back with her first album in 5 years.

The opening track, featuring modern Dream Pop legend Wild Nothing, opens up the album with a warm, danceable track that feels "*ahem hella nostalgic. My personal favorite is track 5, which could be the lo-fi disco track of the year.

In classic Hitomitoi fashion, she’s brought us an album of consistently solid songs that neither bore or wow. You go in knowing what you’re gonna get, making this the most comfortable album of the year so far.

Rating: 🥧🥧 Oh that’s hot
Favorite Tracks: LIKE A FIRST KISS, The Blue of Deja Vu, Lost City, Anata to Contigo

An older album you should check out

Genre: City Pop
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

While I’m sure most of you have heard Anri’s classic Timely!! (if you haven’t, go listen to it right now!), this would be a solid 2nd place in the Anri discography. Yet, it’s always shadowed by it’s predecessor, so it rarely gets as much discussion as it deserves.

A little less funky and slightly more down tempo, yet has some of Anri’s best tracks in her whole discography like the opener “Bring me to the Dancenight” or the beautifully melancholic “Mercury Lamp”.

An essential City Pop listen for fans of the genre.

Favorite Tracks: Bring Me to the Dancenight, I Can’t Ever Change Your Love, Flashin’ Night, Mercury Lamp

Some good EPs that recently came out

Genre: Electronic Pop
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

Here’s where you find the newest hottest singles on the planet from Japan

For Spotify and Apple Music, check out the official playlists!
*It’s taking me a little longer to update the list compared to usual. Check again in a couple of days!

Playlist Links:
Spotify
Apple Music

As always, thank you thank you sooooo much for reading this issue of Shibuya’s Scrambled Sounds! 🥹

See ya next time! Breakfast is ready.