Named after a fundamental rhythm in Cuban folk music, this young Japanese band with the challenging name has much more than Afro-Cuban percussion in its sights. Formed during the pandemic lockdowns as a group of school friends just trying to make music together, their influences stretch far beyond: from woozy lo-fi beats and ambient sound design to the psychedelic pop of Haruomi Hosono. Once a member of folk-rock band Happy End and later of the legendary Yellow Magic Orchestra, Hosono also left behind a trove of solo records – clearly a touchstone for the band’s sonic identity.
Above all, they’re inspired by mood – a warm melancholy that permeates every note. Their new three-track 7-inch EP Correspondances picks up where 2024’s surprise hit Tradition left off. Here, organic textures meet electronic elements; field recordings full of natural ambiance intersect with experimental pop. Beyond the use of Japanese lyrics, little about the sound feels overtly East Asian.
Despite the group’s eclecticism – and their tendency to dart between ideas within a single song – the three tracks exude a strange sense of minimalism. This is gentle, psychedelic pop that drifts at the edges, yet somehow remains cohesive. Fragmented, dreamy, and surprisingly accessible.
