Consider it closer to an out-of-body experience at a social gathering than a tune designed to soundtrack one. Ruby Lemon’s “The Party” takes its time unfolding, the Fukuoka-based artist letting the synth notes stretch out while her singing comes through at half speed in an electronic haze. It’s about mood over movement, and like her previous creations, it is one to sink into and think about parties rather than actually get one going right away (though, credit to the beat, which makes sure it doesn’t get too lost in its own head). Listen above.
Making Me Feel: nikoi0227’s Feel My Emotions
At its best, “future bass” functions as this overwhelming force of sound that feels like a big burst of joy. The latest from Omoide Label — currently on a heck of a hot streak for the netlabel — comes from producer nikoi0227, who nails that release on the aptly titled Feel My Emotions. Part of it comes by nikoi0227’s decision to just load these songs up with sounds, apparent right away from the opening title track, which crams in bright synth melodies, pounding bass, piano plonks and bed springs. Yet all these details make for a dizzying rush of joy. Even better is “Stay With Me,” which adds to the maximalism with a disorientingly fun start-stop synth melody, that builds to a rap-sample segment dropping into something more aggressive. The feeling of always being taken off your feet is half the fun of this one. Get it here, or listen below.
New FNCY: “Silky”
After a handful of songs embracing throwback pop, FNCY give themselves a little more space on “Silky.” Besides striking a balance between three artists that results in a really good mash-up, FNCY has been a showcase for G. Rina’s production side, both her more immediate side and, with this on, something a bit more subdued. There’s more room for reflection, and even Zen-La-Rock sounds deep in thought over the course of “Silky.” Listen above.
New tofubeats: “River”
tofubeats’ has a knack for building songs up, though it isn’t always the musical mode pushed to the forefront. Most of his major-label singles opt for pure pop pleasure with little wait. Yet he’s also skilled at the slow burn, hinted at by numbers such as “What You Got” and “Don’t Stop The Music.” But now “River” can be his calling card on that front. It teases piano balladry, but gradually tofubeats lets other elements come in, from filtered syllables rippling over the song to more percussion. And then it bubbles over to a sweet and skippy final section, one that makes the emotional build present earlier really hit. Listen above.
Just A Theory: Neco Asobi’s Kimi To Tsuki To Cider
No group has been more influential this decade than Sotaisei Riron. That outfit’s mix of Showa-derived pop melodies and lead singer Etsuko Yakushimaru’s surreal sing-speak ended up leaving a mark on pop and rock in Japan across the past ten years, ranging from out-right imitation to blueprints towards the mainstream to stranger creations.
If you need to see just how far down that group’s impact has gone, the latest from extremely-online label Local Visions tells the stories. Utsunomiya’s Neco Asobi channels the group on Kimi To Tsuki To Cider’s two songs (even the title!). The title track boasts a slick guitar melody halfway between city pop and Weather Channel, given a buzz by some electronic touches. And then comes Neco Asobi’s singing, closer to talking and loaded with references to the internet and shoegaze — a snapshot of a life. “Discover” adds a sturdier beat for her to sing over, while still retaining that night-drive pacing. Rounded out by two solid remixes that push “Discover” into more rubbery territory, this brief set isn’t just a bit of musical connect the dots, but a solid release all its own. Get it here, or listen below.