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New MPEG-7: “Nama-Mono”

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Producer MPEG-7 has previously caught our attention for more emotionally wrenching electronic numbers. Typically built around synthesizer swirls and samples, it’s a formula that can result in emotionally rich music…but also sometimes drift a bit too much towards lifeless beat making. “Nama-Mono” buzzsaws away from both sides to show off a different side of MPEG-7. It’s a slightly distorted thumper more intent on pummeling than touching the heartstrings. Nifty details sneak in — big fan of the steel-drum-like touches that offer a little bit of warmth to an otherwise heavy number — but the commitment to just pounding away makes this a fun listen. Get it here, or listen below.

New Sauceman: Tori

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The proliferation of crackly, loop-centric beat tapes seemingly designed to soundtrack anime girl homework sessions has made me hesitant of anything merging sample-centric repetition with drum-machine-generated boom bap. Leave it to an artist closer to Japan’s footwork scene to upend those expectations. Sauceman’s Tori gathers 10 tracks that often rely on a scant amount of sounds — a few samples, a beat — to create something that frequently coils about into unexpected shapes. The opening number features horns, pianos and more, all guided by some thumping — yet that beat morphs and mutates over the next few minutes, turning everything around it into a new form and adding a sense of uneasy movement to the songs. This isn’t an album for math work, basically. Sauceman’s footwork background goes a long way to helping Tori click, as the skittery beats of that style already disrupt whatever you throw against it. So whether Sauceman brings in woodwinds, sampled yelps or organ, they find a way to make it come off unexpected. Get it here, or listen below

New Foodman: Pokopoko

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If all weeks could start with a springy new album courtesy of Foodman, life would probably be easier all around. Well, until that glorious future arrives, savor Mondays like this. The ever-wonky producer put out a new collection with London-based label Plastic Bags titled Pokopoko, which features six songs sporting that same title. Tracks here range from surprisingly laid back even as they skitter all over themselves (“Pokopoko1” and all its crystal detail) to typically darty for Foodman (“Pokopoko4,” above, begging for use in some sort of left-field cartoon chase sequence). It’s a jaunty way to start the day, and a great reminder of Foodman’s ability to create pleasure out of pieces that shouldn’t fit together. Get it here, or listen below.

New (Sorta) The Vegetablets: Road To The Vegetablets

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The Vegetablets’ latest album was a charming and at-times strange bit of indie-pop, a highlight of 2018. Now, they’ve shared a compilation gathering songs recorded between 2003 and 2012, as the title suggests serving as an intro into their history leading up to the sound of The Vegetablets. Removed from this context, Road To The Vegetablets is a pretty strong indie-pop album, and worth a listen to anyone who indulged in Three Berry Icecream at any point in their life. “Strawberry Taste” nails the mid-day stroll vibe so much Japanese indie-pop eyes, while a cut like “Sentimental Journey” nails the balance between jaunty and downcast. Extra points for all the synthesizer touches, which elevate songs like “She Is My POP Star” from solid to giddy celebration of music. As a way to understand The Vegetablets, it’s solid — this set is far more straightforward than their latest album, coming off more like two artists channeling their faves rather than the wonkier duo that emerged this year. But it only makes that turn all the sweeter. Get it here, or listen below.

Sailin’ Away: New Songs From Pictured Resort And Youthcomics

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Indie-pop label Sailyard has become one of the stronger destinations in Japan for all things melancholy and summery in the last few years. Just in time for their marquee season, they have two big releases on the horizon. The first comes from their central act Pictured Resort, a Kansai band that deserves to be slotted in the same zone as, say, cero and Suchmos, but also manage to approach warmer-climes-embracing sounds in a way that does stand out from more mainstream artists. “Stars Above” is a mid-tempo drive of a song, featuring vocals that approach a sigh and guitar melodies that give the tune far more of a hop than the ennui-dripping lyrics would signal. Listen above.

Sailyard is also prepping a new album from fellow Kansai indie-popper youthcomics, who moves at a swifter speed but still captures that twee ennui in songs such as “Weekend.” This is just indie-pop done really well, powered on by a great acoustic strum and energetic singing oozing over with melancholy…while always being catchy. Nothing new, but youthcomics reminds of how great this blueprint can be. Listen below.