There’s been something of a resurgent interest in Japanese rock music of late. The recent publication of Julian Cope’s Japrocksampler: How the post-war Japanese Blew Their Minds on Rock ‘n Roll has sparked a re-evaluation of a country we take little interest in musically. It’s often thought that their music scene is filled with obscure, twee pop groups which are watched by thousands of school girls shrilling their delight at the top of their voices. However, My Way My Love is here to make us think again.

Joy maybe the name of the album, but its brooding hulk gives off vibes that are anything but. It’s dark, difficult and fucking loud. Their influences are numerous yet obvious; the crunching, raw riffs of Shellac and the feedback drenched guitars of Sonic Youth thrown together with sometimes delicate and introspective pieces of pop. The track “C” embodies all this. The song writhes and squirts around from overdriven guitar passages to a breakdown into something altogether mellower. Before that though you have to get through the brash mesh of guitars that is opener “Acupuncture Man” and the follow-up “Parties”, which greet not so much with a handshake as a punch in the face. Stand out track “The Wall” has hacksaw riffs swirling around echoing guitars, the vocals piercing and gruff – it’s a sonic assault without doubt. “A Day” also fights its way to the front of your mind, rippling guitars flow over thumping drums whilst some kind of pipping keyboard drills around stage right. It’s a bit like The Mars Volta if they could condense their songs into four minutes.

The Japanese rock scene might be something that few of us know much about. But My Way My Love has opened the door into a dark and empty area of my knowledge that needs filling. Sure, it’s not completely original; we’ve had bands emulate the aforementioned acts a thousand times over. But there’s something here that keeps me coming back. They have a raw, unbridled desire to breakout from the norm and challenge people’s perceptions. And for that, they can only be congratulated.
77%

Links
My Way My Love [official site]