🎧 Shibuya's Scrambled Sounds - Issue #42

Strap into a space ship, fly into the stratosphere, then land back into this week’s issue of Shibuya’s Scrambled Sounds !

Hi everyone, I hope you had a nice couple of weeks. February 25th marks one year since I’ve been doing this newsletter! 🥳🎊

To both the new and old followers, thank you from the bottom of my pancreas! Here’s to another year of Japanese underground music together.

Get ready for:

• My favorite release of the year (so far)

• Another good Tokyo local pick

• Another another good Tokyo local pick,

• A classic album and some decent EPs

🥧 Fresh Out The Oven Albums 🥧

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

NOT WONK - Bout Foreverness

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

So in the last issue, I mentioned how that Acidclank album was my favorite of the year so far, well it just got topped with this new release by NOT WONK.

Starting off as a Pop-Punk/Indie Rock outfit, they have evolved into whatever you want to call this… uhm… Radiohead-inspired Progressive Jazz Pop/Rock? Sure

Clocking in at around 38 minutes with only 7 tracks, the average song length is around 5 minutes, with 2 tracks going over the 6 minute mark. Which brings me to the best aspect of this album, the instrumentation. NOT WONK are really really good at making long-winding tracks that do not get dull. Actually, some moments on this album are absolutely amazing pieces of music, such as the middle buildup in “About Foreverness” and the bass guitar interplay in “Some of You”. I wonder how much of this was recorded before Geordie Greep’s album was, because there are similar approaches here.

The one flaw and only thing keeping this album from getting a higher rating is the vocals. Actually the vocal melodies are good this time and I think Shuhei Katoh has good taste, however the English is kinda incomprehensible and grating at times. Nothing at all against people wanting to sing in English even when it’s not their native language, but there are moments I just wish it was in Japanese. Rather than complimenting the music, it becomes a distraction.

Even with all this, from a musical perspective this is an amazing and ever changing Rock/Pop album that is worth at least giving a listen or two.

Rating: 🥧🥧 Oh that’s hot
Favorite Tracks: About Foreverness, Embrace Me, Changed, A*****e

Pot-pourri - Eraser, Pencil

Genre: Indie Rock, Experimental Electronic Music
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

I was fortunate enough to see Pot-pourri live about a year ago.

It was apparent to me what made them unique when they started the first song. While there are the typical “band members” such as an acoustic guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, there was one guy with a laptop and controller who had both NIN and OPN stickers. I knew this guy was up to some tom foolery.

While it’s harder to hear on the record, a lot of the sounds and electronic soundscapes are being created through some type of trigger/controller. The most interesting part is they can use this to glitch out the guitars, manipulate vocals etc.

Regarding the actual songs on this album, they are all solid. No complaints, but only a few moments that stand out. I think as an overall sound, Pot-pourri are interesting, but other than a couple of songs, the rest kind of drift on for a while. I wish the whole album was as focused as tracks like “Paradis” and “Over (and Over)”.

What holds this album back for me is the production. Despite the sheen, the production and mixes definitely sounds kind of amateurish. This usually isn’t a bad thing, but it feels like it’s reaching out to be something bigger than it is.

Rating: 🥧🥧 Oh that’s hot
Favorite Tracks: , Paradis, Mimei No Uta, Suidream, Over (and Over)

Pandagolff - Because of Love

Genre: Indie Rock, Post-Hardcore
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

Speaking of bands I’ve seen live, here’s another. Just as noisy as they are funky, Pandagolff don’t take themselves too seriously. They kinda sound like an alternate universe where Deerhoof was more minimal.

The guitar, bass and drum interplay on this album is splendid. All 3 members are locked in together, sounding tight yet still raw (mistakes and all). The bass in particular is mesmerizing, allowing the guitar to flourish and explore the space provided.

The main problem with Pandagolff is that their recording don’t quite capture their live presence. Live, it felt way more Fugazi-esque, with noisy looped guitars and loud drums, but on the recordings, they stick to the bare basics of the song and don’t expand. It leads to a bunch of really repetitive sections and if you don’t like the way that part sounds well you’re kinda stuck with it.

Rating: 🥧 Pretty warm
Favorite Tracks: New Balance, Because of Love, Shadow people last my friend, Track 8 (デジタルのお花)

🍱Mystery Bento🍱

An older album you should check out

相対性理論 (Soutaiseiriron) - Hi-Fi Anatomia (2009)

Genre: Indie Rock
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

I haven’t really brought up too many bonafide must listens in the Mystery Bento before, but since I’m not going through the discography of every artist anymore, here’s one.

Soutaiseiriron (literally The Theory of Relativity in English) are one of those bands that had a couple of releases with their original lineup and then after a few members left, they just never captured the same energy again. They’re also a band that simultaneous influenced so many bands, yet no one else sounds like their first releases.

Soutaiseiriron have so much to say yet their sound is so minimal. With very few overdubs and an extremely raw sound, it’s safe to say there is something “Punk-esque” to their brand of Indie Rock/Pop. As far as having a lot to say, you can thank their vocalist Estuko Yakushimaru for her uniquely ambiguous and confusing lyrics. For example, the most famous track on this EP, track 2 (地獄先生) is famous for talking about an abusive teacher, while the narrator also questions why she likes that he treats her this way, seemingly becoming a masochist anthem. Another impressive aspect of her lyrics and melody choices is that she crafts extremely memorable choruses with unique word play such as track 8 where she uses the last three syllables of “Runesansu” (Renaissance) as an allegory for “sansu” or mathematical calculations.

You also can’t forget the guitar parts on this album, with Seiichi Nagai having a penchant for crafting minimal yet memorable guitar lines. As I mentioned in the opening sentence, this is a classic and a must listen for anyone who listens to Japanese Indie Rock.

Favorite Tracks: 2, 4, 6, 7, 8

♨️ Steaming EPs ♨️ 

Some good EPs that recently came out

Ai Kakihira - MAKUNOUCHI EP

Genre: Jazzy Pop, Electronic Pop, Chamber Pop
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

Miso Extra - Ghostly EP

Genre: Pop, Dance Music
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

🍵 Piping Hot Singles 🍵

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

❤️‍🔥 Thank you! ❤️‍🔥 

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

• Rate this issue here: Feedback Poll

• Reply to this email or message the Instagram for comments or suggestions

• If you enjoy this content, please share and like the Instagram posts, as well as forward this email to friends. Your support keeps me going ♥️

See ya next time! Breakfast is ready.