BOYISH: “Waiting in Summer”

So far, 2012 has been the year of indie pop becoming the fashionable sound Japan’s underground music scene. Although artists have been making the type of songs easily labeled “twee” in this country for years, the past six months have seen a boom in the style, coinciding with the rise in popularity of websites like SoundCloud and Bandcamp in Japan. Tokyo’s BOYISH have been following this digital path closely – since forming earlier this year, they’ve trickled new tracks online, even releasing a split EP with fellow indie pop outfit Daisyblue on Bandcamp. For new EP Kissing The Sea, though, BOYISH are taking a cue from the indie-pop band of the 80’s that have influenced them deeply by releasing it as a limited cassette, along with a fanzine and a badge. This collection of eight warm-sounding songs conceal ennui in the feedback-muffled vocals (“Cupid” and “Waiting In Summer” in particular shine at this) and form what is arguably one of the most cohesive releases from the current crop of Japanese indie pop artists. BOYISH honor both the history of their sound, while also watching out for those who can’t snag one of the 100 cassettes due out 6/22/2012.

Kissing The Sea is available on Bandcamp

Written by Patrick St. Michel