Shibuya’s Scrambled Sounds

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a pleasant week. I’m currently transferring between day jobs so I’ve had a lot of random tasks to do, but other than that things have been getting better. 🤠

I’ll be taking my first trip to Korea next weekend and I’m pretty excited for that! ✈️ It’s possible that next weeks issue might be a little later than usual but don’t worry, if it doesn’t arrive on time, it will definitely be in your email box on either Monday or Tuesday.

Now on to this weeks listens!

🥧Fresh Out The Oven Albums🥧

Rating System

Pretty warm - for the hardcore fans of the genre
Oh that’s hot - for any fan of the genre
We gonna need oven mitts - potential classic, good entry point for the genre
The kitchen’s on fire!! - modern classic, must listen

Sara Wakui - Into My System

Genre: Jazz Pop, Soul, Jazz-Fusion
Spotify | Apple Music

Sara Wakui is an impressive songwriter and talented pianist. She’s been writing songs that have impressed both critics and musicians all while still being in her mid-20s. Her last album was around 90% Jazz-Fusion, featuring the typical characteristics of the genre including shredding, offbeat accentuations, and heavy piano.

But after hearing the first track of this album, it becomes obvious that she’s venturing out into new sounds on this album. The good news is, she does these new sounds well… most of the time. While some tracks tend to be pretty skippable, the tracks that are good are really really good. Take the track “Rust” with it’s pitter patter like drums looming in the distance that eventually turn into a showcase of chops and talent all while a synth seemingly fades in and out into the foreground and background. Another personal favorite is “IDEA (feat. ermhoi)”, a perfect example of the Jazz Fusion sound prominent on her previous album, proving that even when she ventures into other territories, she still knows how to do the shred.

Rating: Pretty warm

Favorite Tracks: Into My System, Rust, Morning Bread, IDEA

64DX (64controll x DaXx) - 64DX

Genre: Juke/Footwork, Hip-Hop
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music

64DX is a collaboration between electronic duo 64controll and the rapper/pop duo DaXx. While mixing Juke/Footwork rhythms with Hip-Hop is nothing new, this new collective’s first album is the perfect balance of party and heady. It’s like when you find the hip bro at the frat party who’s like “Yeah bro I love Boards of Canada, now who’s doing a keg stand!?”

When the album hits hard, it definitely hits. Songs like “SINE FOOTWORK” and “LASER” make you wanna party in the best way possible, while a track like “JUUUNBIII” doesn’t even have rapping and is akin to something like classic late 90’s early 00’s techno. Too outsider to be played at the club, but too insider to perform at an ambient show, 64DX expertly ride that line and can’t wait to listen to their future output.

Rating: Pretty warm

Favorite Tracks: LASER, AUTOMATION, JUUUNBIII, SINE FOOTWORK

Cat Biscuit - TEXT EP

Genre: Pop, Electronic, #lotsofgenres
Spotify | Apple Music

Acidclank - TOXIC EP

Genre: Techno, Glitch, Drum and Bass, Pop
Spotify | Apple Music

🍵Piping Hot Singles🍵

SIRUP & SUMIN - Roller Coaster
Spotify | Apple Music
Genre: Soul, Pop, City Pop-inspired (Japan and Korea collab)

Ayano Kaneko - Lucky/Sabishikunai
Spotify | Apple Music
Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Indie Rock

Laura Day Romance - Transparent / Regret Babies
Spotify | Apple Music
Genre: Indie Rock, Indie Pop

夜夏 (Yonatsu) - Hyper Voice (feat. Lanux)
Spotify | Apple Music
Genre: Glitch Pop

Thank you!

Thanks again for reading this issue of Shibuya’s Scrambled Sounds! If you have any feedback or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by replying to this email, or the official Instagram page (click the icon below). If you like what you read, please tell your friends, like our Instagram etc. I hope to eventually be a primary source for Japanese music for the English speaking world because I want to share my love of music with as many people as possible, and you all could be the ones to make my dreams come true.

See ya next time! Breakfast is ready.