🎧 Shibuya's Scrambled Sounds - Issue #30

Step off the plane into this week’s issue of Shibuya’s Scrambled Sounds !

Hi everyone, I hope you had a nice week. Due to the extremely large amount of decent to good releases that came out recently, and I didn’t get to analyze them thoroughly, we’re going to do a…

Lightning Round!

No long reviews for the new releases, just links and quick run downs. If it sounds up your alley, check em out!

This week’s episode includes:

• Off-kilter Jazz Pop

• Late 90’s/Early 00’s R&B revival

• Eclectic Singer-Songwriter

• The most EPs in a single episode

• Best set of singles so far this year

🥧 Fresh Out The Oven Albums 🥧

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

Oh Shu - Town Dune

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

A Chinese born, Japanese raised artist, Oh Shu has been around for a while and has performed with musicians such as SAKEROCK and even Phew.

On this album, he embraces what can be described as some form of off-kilter Jazz Pop. The rhythms make his music feel like jagged lines, never knowing which direction they’ll go. Probably my favorite release of the week, and clocking in at only 20 min, it’s certainly a quick and interesting listen.

Favorite Tracks: O/Tone, Echo, Nu Ma, Machibito

Salasa - Golden Child

Genre: Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

Do you love Hikaru Utada? Miss the days of TLC and Destiny’s Child ruling the radio? Well Salasa does too. Salasa definitely has her own sound though, it’s a little more subdued. So while this means that not every track sounds like a late 90’s banger, she’s definitely inspired by the ballads of the era, especially the drum sounds of tracks like Track 2 (雲が笑う時) and Viburnum.

Favorite Tracks: Tracks 1, 2, 5, and 7

Yuga - Love Deluxe

Genre: Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

Yuga is a talented songwriter who is very well connected in the underground Singer/Songwriter and Soul worlds of Japan. She frequently collaborates with Takuro Okada as well as other studio musicians.

I personally find this album to be a mixed bag. Some tracks hook you in with their catchy melodies and silky smooth instrumentation, however others come and go, leaving little to no impression. With that being said, the tracks below are definitely worth a listen or two, or ten.

Favorite Tracks: Tracks 1, Petillant, Love Deluxe, and 10

*Bonus Live Album

cero - Live O Rec

Genre: Progressive Soul?, Indie-Pop, Jazz-Rock
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

cero is one of those bands that’s at the top of my must see Japanese artists list, and this live album only increases that desire. They’re so tight and there are enough variations in the songs to give even their oldest songs a fresh sound. Also I always thought their drummer was a great drummer, but I mean, this guy is on another level. Check it out if you’re into cero or live albums.

Also, this may/may not be a hint as to what the next Sushi Platter episode is about
😉😉😉😉

🍱Mystery Bento🍱

An older album you should check out

Cymbals - That’s Entertainment (2000)

Genre: Post-Shibuya-kei, Power Pop
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

I’m really glad Cymbals have finally been getting the attention they deserve outside of Japan. To me, this band is kinda the quintessential Shibuya-kei band that wasn’t a part of the first wave (Flipper’s Guitar, Original Love, Pizzicato Five, etc.).

Would I say That’s Entertainment is their best album? No, but I would say it’s my favorite. While the next two albums, in particular Cine, are probably better experiences from front to back, this one has the most character and charm. The album starts with “Show Business”, a song with the most intense drumming you’ll ever hear on a Shibuya-kei adjacent album. After that is an eclectic mix of pop songs, love-ballads, and kitschy electronic elevator music (“Mach 0.8)

One trait of this album that might throw some people off is the ridiculously bad English skits on the album, but honestly, their so bad their good. They seem self-aware of this as well, making fun of themselves in it and also making a YMO reference in the first one.

The lyrics for the Cymbals are always interesting as well. The Japanese songs are more interesting lyrically though, especially “Rally” with it’s references to love as a game of Chess. One point to note though is that Asako Toki’s English singing being really good, especially for the time. Her English would only get better with further Cymbals albums and solo albums as well. (I wouldn’t say her solo albums are amazing from front to back, but she has amazing songs)

Speaking of “Rally”, to me it’s the definitive Cymbals song. It encapsulates everything that their known for, especially their chord and melody choices. Also, shout out to any bassists that might be out there, Reiji Okii’s bass lines are extremely melodic and tasteful. Take “My Brave Face” for example, where the bass melodies stick out more than even the vocal melodies for me.

From what I can tell, this album is considered the essential Cymbals album in Japan. While I wouldn’t say it’s their best, it might be their most defining album. This is Cymbals.

Favorite Tracks: Show Business, Rain Song, Rally, Mach 0.8, My Brave Face

♨️ Steaming EPs ♨️ 

Some good EPs that recently came out

Kinoue64 - neu neu neu EP

Genre: Shoegaze, Emo-adjacent, Indie Rock
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

maya ongaku - Electronic Phantoms EP

Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Synth-Pop, New Age
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

It-Works - Watch Your Step EP

Genre: Hip-Hop, Chill Trap??
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

Dayzero - The Sixth Sense EP

Genre: UK Bass, Dubstep
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

🍵 Piping Hot Singles 🍵

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

Fuki Kitamura - Shiori (Feat. Kazutoshi Sohta)
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
Genre: Orchestral Singer-Songwriter, Jazz

OGRE YOU ASSHOLE - more you than you
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
Genre: Indie Rock, Synth Pop, Minimal

nodamn - alarm
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
Genre: Indie Rock, Shoegaze

OCHA∞ME - gradually
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
Genre: Indie Pop, Chamber Pop

Magic, Drums & Love - KE OLA JIVE
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
Genre: Tropical/Exotica, Indie Pop

❤️‍🔥 Thank you! ❤️‍🔥 

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

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See ya next time! Breakfast is ready.