TAMASHII NATIONS S.H.Figuarts Aikatsu! Ran Shibuki (winter uniform ver.) Approx. 135mm ABS&PVC painted movable figure

Content introduction

“Music Free Zone” by a young colony

Happy End's Takashi Matsumoto once ``saw the scuffs of a skyscraper's clothing soaking on the pavement'' through the cracked glass of a coffee shop. About 40 years later, Lamp sings, ``A train on time runs through twisted skyscrapers, carrying you'' (``Lovers and Rainclouds''). She also sings, ``Outside the window I vaguely remember is the windy city'' (``If You Cry''). Lamp makes songs about the city. Moreover, it is not just the ``scenery'' that is visible to the eye, but also ``landscapes'', ``sights'', ``scenes'' with color, light, and temperature, and even ``afterimages'' and ``lingering scents'' of cities that have already disappeared. In that sense, Lamp is one of the few bands worthy of being called "Happy End's children." Additionally, the album cover for "Tokyo Utopia Tsushin" is decorated with a painting by Oji Suzuki. Therefore, many people may associate ``Happy End'' with the magazine ``Garo''. However, of course, Lamp is building its own sonic world on the musical ground pioneered by Happy End. In fact, from the first song, "Fantasy Night Flight," it sounds like you're riding a "jet plane samba" toward Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport, and it echoes through the mountains of Minas Gerais. There are also songs where you can faintly hear dreamy echoes. Also, if you compare it to the previous work ``Lamp Fantasy'', you will notice that the rhythm and arrangement of the songs are more complex, which is a major feature. I think ``Lamp Fantasy'' was a reaching point for Lamp. For them as “Happy End Children”. On the other hand, ``Tokyo Utopia Tsuushin'' is an album that shows Lamp stepping onto a new staircase and starting to aim for the top. A stairway to the tradition of "Japanese City Pops" that has been built up since the 1970s. For example, on the stairs where Kirinji is leading them up. It is now clear that the EP ``August Poetry'' released in the summer of 2010 was a run-up with a beautiful form to run up these stairs. ``Tokyo Utopia News'' is more sophisticated than ever. However, despite this, Lamp still has a great reputation, just like Sugarbabe was a Japanese band that existed in the past, or Lo Borges is a current Brazilian artist. , I get the feeling that they are refusing to mature somewhere. I think this is the essence of Lamp, and that's why I love their music. To match the title of ``Tokyo Utopia Tsushin,'' I would like to conclude this article by quoting the title of Katsue Kitazono's poetry collection published in 1953, ``Young Colony.'' The three "young colonies" plowed into their new land and began cultivating a fertile field of music. Let's call that field ``Utopia'' - a ``musical freedom zone.''

Toru Watanabe

About the artist

Formed by Taiyo Sometani, Yusuke Nagai, and Kaori Sakakibara. The beautiful, sad harmony played by Nagai and Sakakibara and the pleasant melody that lingers in the ears gradually spread and become a hot topic. Their well-established melody sense is based on the soft chords of bossa nova and the sophisticated sounds of soul and city pop, and their sweet voices intertwine with a unique sense of tension that will make your heart clench. It creates an atmosphere. The lyrics, which are reminiscent of Japan's unique humidity and smells, and the songs created by incorporating a variety of high-quality musical essences have received high acclaim. So far, they have released 5 albums (including the Korean version).

No matter where you cut it, it overflows with the freshness of a band that is currently in progress. This is despite the fact that the musicality tends to be the first thing you hear as "mature." There aren't many people like that -- and that's what's great about it.

Tomita Lab (Keiichi Tomita)

countryoforigin: Japan