A little piece of mind.
Hello, hello! And welcome back to another installment of the J-Music Exchange/Rate! We’re back once again with another round of Japanese music reviews, and as always, we’ve got a couple of interesting releases to share with you guys this month! But before we get to all of that, a quick introduction for those of you who might be joining us for the first time.
The Exchange/Rate is a tandem album review series conducted every month by yours truly alongside my good friend and fellow Japanese music fan Al (from Omunibasu). Each month we decide on a specific theme with which our reviews would revolve around. We then pick out albums from our respective libraries which we think best coincides with that theme. We will then give the album we chose to the other person and vice versa (exchange), after which we then listen to and subsequently review the album we were given (rate). This project has not only allowed us to explore music beyond our libraries, but it provides an opportunity for us to see our favorite albums from a different point of view. It is our hope that this series is able to do the same for you and that you either find a new artist to try out and/or we offer you a fresh take on one of *your* favorite albums
Al and I take turns on who gets to decide the month’s theme, and now, it was my turn to pick out the theme for October. With that in mind, I decided to go with something I think a lot of us might be needing on this dark and stormy night (lol) of Halloween: albums that we find comforting. think what’s particularly interesting about this theme is just how differently people can interpret the idea of comfort when it comes to music. Some might immediately think of something slow and relaxing, while others might find comfort in an album that reminds them of a particular time in their life. Heck, for all I know, some of you might find blasting your favorite rock album at full volume to be the most comforting thing in the world. LOL. Whatever the case may be, I think we all have certain releases that make us feel a little better for one reason or another, and I thought it would be interesting to see what the two of us would come up with.
I picked out the album Day By Day, by three piece rock band Chromleily for Al to check out. Catch his thoughts on it over on the Omunibasu Substack! For his pick, Al sent me Meditation, the second EP from Tokyo-based band Fried Banana Shop.
Without further ado, let’s get right to it!
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Fried Banana Shop is a Tokyo-based three-piece band consisting of Ryuju, guitarist Tomo, and saxophonist Yoji. Formed during the COVID-19 pandemic by three music lovers who met in the same neighborhood, the group is closely associated with the creative collective w.a.u, of which Ryuju is the founder. Musically, they draw from jazz, R&B, and rock, incorporating elements of dream pop and alternative jazz into their warm, laid-back sound. Despite being primarily an instrumental band, Fried Banana Shop frequently collaborates with various singers and rappers, bringing together different musical styles through their releases.
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(＊Spotify link to the full album)
CDJapan Affiliate Link(s):
N/A
＜T ｒａｃｋｌｉｓｔ＞
０１・Capital
０２・Paralysis (feat. Shöka)
０３・Videotape (feat. Teruko Konse)
０４・Dehydration (feat. Joe Cupertino)
０５・Fever (feat. Julia Takada)
０６・In My Room (feat. JU!iE)
０７・Meditation (feat. Sala)
Ａｌ： This month’s theme was perfect for me personally, since music that can be considered ‘comforting’ has shaped a lot of my own tastes throughout the years, Japanese-related artists or not. Like most people, there are times when life just doesn’t go your way and in those moments where you feel incredibly overwhelmed, listening to something that brings you solace can do wonders to your state of mind. Of course, you don’t always need to be in that sort of mood to put on a more ‘comforting’ song or album, but I do believe its ability to serve as a form of therapy is one of music’s greatest qualities.
That said, there are a few directions I could’ve gone towards for my choice, but I ultimately thought this Fried Banana Shop EP from last year was a pretty solid one to go with.
As underrated as the w.a.u creative label already is, there is always something (or someone) new to discover within this talented ensemble of producers and artists; one of which, in my own experience, was the jazz-pop fusion trio of Fried Banana Shop. And despite admittedly only knowing them through their collaborations with singers I already knew previously, it was still easy to fall in love with their own musical expertise, as the atmospheric production/beats from Ryuju Tanoue intertwine flawlessly with the guitar work of Tomo and YOJI’s smooth saxophone skills. It’s why moments like “Paralysis” and “In My Room” have an ambience that can make you feel like you’re drifting off into space, while also proving that they can make something much more energetic/bouncy like in “Fever”.
And of course, just like a lot of w.a.u’s other releases, FBS manage to gather up a superb group of guest vocalists, all of whom beautifully add to the vibes established by the actual music. I love me some Julia Takada and Sala; both of whom sounded phenomenal, and further proved how they can slot into pretty much anyone’s compositions. But to also hear other vocalists I’m not too familiar with, such as the dreary-yet-relaxing tone of Joe Cupertino or loving the multicultural element JU!iE brings through the injection of her native Chinese into the lyrics… it’s a great release from all parties involved, and one I can’t help but to suggest if you’re in the mood to chill out.
＜Ｓｏｎｇｓ ｏｆ Ｉｎｔｅｒｅｓｔ＞
０２・Paralysis (feat. Shöka)
Opening up Meditation is Paralysis, featuring guest vocalist Shöka, and I think this is a pretty good introduction to what Fried Banana Shop has to offer. There’s a very atmospheric, almost lo-fi quality to the arrangement, with its soft keyboard chords, understated percussion, and a particularly lovely bassline coming together to create something that feels distinctly jazz-influenced. I especially like the bass here, which provides a nice sense of progression underneath an otherwise fairly laid-back arrangement. There’s also some subtle saxophone work sprinkled throughout, adding a little more character to the instrumentation without necessarily drawing too much attention away from everything else. Shöka’s vocals complement all of this particularly well, with a rather gentle, almost conversational delivery that fits nicely with the track’s intimate atmosphere.
What I especially like about Paralysis is how the arrangement gradually develops without really disturbing that sense of calm, maintaining a fairly relaxed pace throughout despite there being quite a bit happening musically. There’s a nice balance between the individual instruments, with the bass keeping things moving while the keyboards, saxophone, and vocals contribute to the overall atmosphere. And I think that’s what makes the track such a pleasant listen for me. There’s something about the way everything comes together that makes me want to loosen up a little, even when I wasn’t necessarily looking to relax in the first place. Almost like having a weight gradually lifted off my shoulders the longer I listen, allowing me to momentarily put aside whatever might have been occupying my mind. All in all, a lovely opening track, and one that makes me curious about what else Fried Banana Shop has in store for us.
０３・Videotape (feat. Teruko Konse)
Following that up is Videotape, this time featuring Teruko Konse on vocals, and right away, I think there’s a noticeable difference in the kind of atmosphere that Fried Banana Shop is going for here. Whereas Paralysis had this rather soft, almost lo-fi jazz quality to it, Videotape feels a little more urban in its presentation, leaning closer to something I’d associate with bedroom pop and contemporary R&B. The beat and bassline feel a little more pronounced, giving the track a stronger sense of rhythm while still maintaining that fairly laid-back quality established by its predecessor. I also like how the saxophone is given a little more room to come through this time around, adding a nice melodic presence to the arrangement rather than simply providing some additional texture in the background. Teruko Konse’s vocals are another welcome addition, giving the track a slightly different personality from what we heard with Shöka on Paralysis.
I don’t know if it’s the tempo, the general atmosphere, or just the way the vocals work alongside the instrumentation, but there are moments throughout Videotape where I find myself getting reminded of Etsuko Yakushimaru’s Kamisama no Iutoori” They’re not necessarily all that similar musically, but there’s something about that combination of a fairly relaxed beat, mellow instrumentation, and the almost effortless quality of the vocal performance that brings that song to mind. And considering how much I love Etsuko Yakushimaru’s music, I suppose it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that I find myself gravitating a little more toward Videotape. That’s not to take anything away from Paralysis, of course, but I do appreciate how Fried Banana Shop can take what is fundamentally a similar approach to their music and give us two tracks with fairly distinct personalities. Personally, I quite like this more bedroom-pop direction, particularly how it manages to be a little more rhythmically engaging without necessarily sacrificing the laid-back quality of the music. It’s a nice change of pace from the opener, and a good indication that there’s a little more variety to Meditation than its title might initially suggest.
０５・Fever (feat. Julia Takada)
Up next is Fever, featuring Julia Takada on vocals, and I think this is where we start to hear Fried Banana Shop leaning a little more heavily into the kind of music that I typically associate with the w.a.u artist collective. Whereas the previous two tracks had a more laid-back, jazz-influenced approach to their arrangements, Fever feels a little closer to low-tempo dance pop, with a stronger emphasis on creating something that you can actually groove along to. The bass and percussion provide a rather steady foundation throughout, giving the track a nice movement to it despite its relatively unhurried pace. And then there’s the saxophone, which, after playing a fairly subdued role on Paralysis and becoming a little more prominent on Videotape, is now practically stealing the show. There’s some particularly expressive sax work throughout the track, with plenty of opportunities for it to take center stage, and I really like how much character that brings to the arrangement.
Of course, I also have to give some credit to Julia Takada, whose rather sultry vocal stylings are another major highlight of Fever. There’s a certain allure to her delivery that works particularly well against the instrumentation, giving the track a slightly more mature, almost late-night R&B atmosphere. I especially like the contrast between her smooth, measured singing and the more animated sax passages, with the two complementing one another rather nicely. And while we’ve already had two guest vocalists on the EP up to this point, I think Julia’s performance here is the first that really stands out to me as something worth highlighting in its own right. There’s a nice balance between her vocals, the song’s jazz influences and its more contemporary R&B and dance-pop sensibilities, resulting in something that’s very musically engaging.
０７・Meditation (feat. Sala)
And finally, closing out Meditation is its title track, this time featuring arguably the highest-profile guest vocalist on the EP in Sala. For those who aren’t familiar with her, Sala is a fairly prolific singer-songwriter who’s become something of a known quantity in Japan’s contemporary R&B and hip-hop scene, having worked with a number of different artists throughout her career. And while she’s certainly no stranger to this kind of music, I think what’s particularly interesting about her appearance here is how Fried Banana Shop gives her an opportunity to showcase a slightly different side of her singing. I’m more accustomed to hearing Sala on songs with a faster tempo, where her vocals tend to have a little more energy behind them. Here, however, with the arrangement taking on a slower, more relaxed pace, I find myself appreciating some of the softer qualities of her voice that I might not necessarily pay as much attention to otherwise. It’s not so much that she’s doing anything particularly different from what she’s capable of, but rather that the instrumentation gives her a little more room to demonstrate just how lovely her singing can be.
Instrumentally, I think Meditation has a bit of a modern city pop quality to it, particularly with those lovely, almost dribbling basslines that provide much of the movement throughout the track. There’s something rather satisfying about the way the bass moves underneath the rest of the arrangement, keeping things interesting without necessarily having to pick up the pace. And I think that works particularly well with Sala’s vocals, which are given plenty of room to breathe against the relatively mellow instrumentation. It’s a combination that feels distinctly R&B-influenced while also having some of that easygoing charm that I typically associate with contemporary takes on city pop. As far as closing tracks go, I think this is a pretty nice way to bring things to an end. There’s a certain familiarity to the kind of music that Fried Banana Shop is going for here, especially if you’re already acquainted with Sala’s work, but I appreciate how the band manages to accommodate her particular style while still maintaining their own musical identity. And between the lovely bass work and the opportunity to hear Sala in a slightly more restrained setting, there’s quite a bit here that I find myself enjoying.
＜Ｗｈａｔ Ｉ ｔｈｉｎｋ ｏｆ Ｍｅｄｉｔａｔｉｏｎ＞
I think one of the more interesting things about this month’s theme is that comfort can mean a lot of different things depending on who you ask. For some people, it might be something nostalgic that reminds them of a particular time in their life. For others, it might be a familiar album that they’ve listened to countless times, something they can always count on whenever they’re having a particularly rough day. And then there’s music that you might not necessarily associate with comfort at first, but somehow manages to make you feel a little better simply by listening to it. I think Fried Banana Shop’s Meditation falls somewhere closer to that last category for me.
Something that I found particularly interesting when reading up on Fried Banana Shop is that the band originally came together during the COVID-19 pandemic, with its three members meeting through their shared love of music in the same neighborhood. And I couldn’t help but think back to when we reviewed THE CHARM PARK’s Bedroom Revelations for the Exchange/Rate a couple of years ago. That album was created during the pandemic as well, although under rather different circumstances, with Charm recording much of the material by himself in his bedroom. Now, I’m not necessarily suggesting that Meditation was created as a direct response to the pandemic, especially considering that it was released several years later, but I do find it interesting how music can emerge from such different experiences of the same period. In one case, you have an artist making music in relative isolation, while in the other, you have three musicians who found one another during a time when opportunities for human connection were considerably more limited.
And I think that sense of musical companionship is something that comes through rather nicely on Meditation, particularly in how Fried Banana Shop works with its guest vocalists. Each of the four tracks features a different singer, and rather than simply having them perform over what is essentially the same kind of arrangement, the band seems perfectly comfortable adapting its music to accommodate their individual styles. You have the atmospheric, lo-fi jazz quality of Paralysis, the more urban, bedroom-pop direction of Videotape, the low-tempo dance-pop sensibilities of Fever, and finally, the modern city pop influences of the title track. They’re all fairly different approaches, but there’s still a recognizable consistency to the instrumentation that makes the EP feel like a cohesive listening experience.
＜Ｍｙ Ｒａｔｉｎｇ＞
４ ｏｕｔ ｏｆ ５
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８ ｏｕｔ ｏｆ １０
More than anything, I think Meditation is a rather lovely collection of tracks that brings together a number of unique and interesting artists, including some of the more promising names in Japan’s contemporary R&B scene. And I think that’s ultimately one of the EP’s biggest strengths. Rather than simply having four different singers perform over the same kind of instrumentation, Fried Banana Shop manages to bring something different out of each collaboration, allowing the guest vocalists to showcase their individual styles while still making everything feel like part of the same release. Between the lovely basslines, expressive saxophone work, and some particularly enjoyable vocal performances, there’s quite a bit here that I can appreciate, even if the slower, more relaxed direction isn’t necessarily something I’d find myself gravitating toward all that often. It’s a nice little EP that accomplishes what it sets out to do, and one that I certainly enjoyed spending some time with.
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What are your guys’ thoughts on Meditation? Let us know in the comments! Likewise, let us know too which albums do you find to be comforting? Please share them with us! We’d love to know about ’em!
Before I let you guys go, don’t forget to swing by the Omunibasu Substack to see what Al thought of Chromleily’s Day By Day.
Happy Listening!