Tag: Maria Takeuchi

2018 Quarterly Review: January-March

Looking back on this past year, there hasn’t been much for Asian music enthusiasts to complain about. Many artist have released quality material; some of them releasing their best work to date. Despite the seemingly endless amount of year-end lists already in existence, there’s something cathartic about creating and reading them. Instead of a traditional numbered list in descending order. Read on for Wabisaabisu’s recommended releases from the first four months of 2018.

Note: All the releases listed are all easily available to western audiences through streaming services, bandcamp etc.

Phew – Voice Hardcore

phew

If you’re looking for something “different”, Phew’s Voice Hardcore will likely more than satisfy that curiosity. The Japanese experimental music veteran started the year off with one of the most unique albums I’ve ever heard. This release is comprised entirely of recordings of her own voice, often with effects and filters alongside spoken word, to create bleak and ghostly soundscapes. If you’re thinking of a capella jingles, or something like Imogen Heap, you’re way off. Voice Hardcore is an unsettling and unconventional album that breaks new ground in music production. Not an easy listen, but its definitely an experience worth your time.

bandcamp, Spotify Apple Music

ÉMU – Rain in the Battlefield

emu

Another experimental album from a Japanese artist, but not as inaccessible and strange as the previous one. ÉMU’s latest is an emotional and soothing offering to the senses. While the music is meant to stimulate many of our human senses, don’t start thinking this is some hokey pervy ASMR. However, to get the full ÉMU experience, you’ll need to listen to her music with the accompanying visuals, or see her live set. Rain in the Battlefield purpose is to stir up emotions and create colors, and abstract images in your mind. Less melodious and more soundscape driven than her previous work.

bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music

Tokyo Girls’ Style (Tōkyō Joshi Ryū) – Last Romance [Single]

tokyo girls style

I don’t typically listen to Japanese Idol groups and I’m not too familiar with the work of this one. However, Tokyo Girls’ Style’s Last Romance single is a glorious banger. It turns out that corporately manufactured music can be quite good when you leave the songwriting to capable people. For this single 2018’s music champion herself, Haru Nemuri, and the guy behind retro synth/funk group Lucky Kilimanjaro crafted an amazing pop song. Both artists seem to simultaneously incorporate the best of both of their styles. The cutesy idol vocals add the perfect charm to its sassy and addictive beat. Hopefully this Idol group gets to work with more talents great talents in the near future. On the other hand, lightning rarely strikes twice. Let’s be honest. This is probably too good for this world.

Spotify, Apple Music

CIFIKA – PRISM [EP]

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Yet another Korean indie electronic artist making waves internationally with the likes of Neon Bunny and Aseul. I’m sure the US tour and the documentary of said tour didn’t hurt her growing overseas fanbase this past year. CIFIKA distinguishes herself among her peers with her cold mechanical style of electronic pop and a unique art style. The production is great and there’s a surprising amount of danceable beats. The album’s variety and lack of filler make is very easy for repeated listens. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for what’s next.

Spotify, Apple Music

Soror – new life wave

soror

new life wave is a fun collection of EDM styled pop songs featuring a bunch of cute and quirky female artists. Vocalists range from leaders in the female alternative scene like Seiko Oomori and Kayoko Yoshizawa to some larger profile artists like koresawa and Akari Nanao to idols and even models who you probably didn’t even know could sing. Each song is crafted by producer SOROR (Sho Yamamoto) and features a different artist, making each track reasonably distinguishable. Those familiar with Japan’s female alternative scene likely wont be surprised that the Seiko Oomori track is the best of the bunch.

Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud

Manatsu Nagahara – GREAT HUNGRY

manatsu nagahara

Former Sebastian X vocalist finally releases her first solo full-length album, and its wonderful. She definitely has an interesting voice and you could probably take some short vocal sections from this album, play them out of context and they’d sound pretty weird. However, paired with the eclectic mix of cheery songs, this is a charmingly addictive album. Plus, she’s just so stinkin’ cute. Definitely a new favorite in the female alternative scene.

Spotify, Apple Music

Japanese Artists Abroad part 1

Sometimes people get sick of Japan and jump on the first boat they see. Others leave to find new and exciting opportunities abroad. Whatever the reasons, a number of Japanese expats have established their music careers outside Japan in a variety of countries.

Japanese music certainly has a different feel and sound than music produced in western countries; regardless of the genre. That’s likely why artists from a Japanese background make such interesting music in western countries. They combine the influences of Japan with the influences of their new surroundings to create something truly unique. Its also worth mentioning that this blog is VERY open to culturally mixed creations.

Here are a few examples of Japanese expat artists:

HIMIKO – Edmonton, Alberta CANADA

himiko

Born in Saitama Japan later moving to Michigan and then Edmonton for school, Himiko began her solo career performing a mix of sensual jazz, electronic and occasionally pop. However, she quickly began embracing harsh digital sounds to create a blender mixture of industrial metal and jazz with 2006’s Heavy Metal Wannabe & Electronic Jazz Cat. Her journey through harsh noises continually led to darker and heavier realms such as death metal to create the brutal digital nightmare that is 2014’s Victims of Greed. 2016 gave us a nasty combination of everything she’s experimented with in her entire career including her early electro-jazz material with Skin Removal. Finally, just last year she seems to have abandoned EVERYTHING that defined her previous efforts with the beautiful jazz/classical instrumental album, Love scream. Where HIMIKO will go next no one can really say. At this point I don’t think anything this Japanese-Canadian artist does will surprise us though.

Her music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and bandcamp.

Maria Takeuchi/ÉMU – Brooklyn, USA

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Maria Takeuchi is a true artist in every sense of the word. This Kansai raised, Brooklyn based audio-visual artist creates sounds and visuals that stimulate many human senses. Much of her music is released under the moniker ÉMU, so be sure to search her using that name, or else the search results will be dominated by the popular 70s/80s singer Mariya Takeuchi, causing lots of confusion among western listeners.
While her music career is based in the US, her Japanese roots still make up the base of her music; a kind of digital wabi sabi if you will. Her career up to this point includes three impressive ambient albums, one of them released earlier this year, and two remarkable visual audio collaborations, As.phyx.i.a in 2015 and Karma Train in 2012.
Her live shows are said to be quite remarkable as she incorporates visual mapping and unique visuals to support her music. You can also get a taste of her digital art on her Instagram page.

Her music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and bandcamp.

Maria Takeuchi/ÉMU homepage

Kumisolo – Paris, FRANCE

kumisolo

Stylish, sophisticated, quirky, and cute. Kumisolo indeed checks off every expectation one would have with a Japanese-French art pop artist. On the other hand, do we really need more than that? Born in Chiba, Japan, Kumisolo became heavily influenced by French New Wave films as a teenager, and then later moving to France to pursue her dreams. Before becoming the solo artist known as Kumisolo she was a member of multiple French groups such as The Konki Duet, and Crazy Curl.

Often her music is reminiscent of old French film scores, but with modern indie pop sensibilities. Despite the majority of her songs being performed in French, Kumisolo’s music has no shortage of references to her Asian heritage (Kung-fu Boy, La femme japonaise). She even occasionally sings in her native language (see Kabuki Femme Fatale, Tadaima).

Her song Ping Pong Machine is featured in the new Showtime drama, Kidding (episode 5), starring Jim Carrey.

Her music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and bandcamp.

Kumisolo homepage