Artist Showcase: Hyakkei

Today on I Ramble About Artists I Like Way To Much™ we have a Japanese post-rock band called Hyakkei or 百景. Releasing 2 albums and an ep in the early to late aughts, their discography isnt the biggest but (imo) its the perfect study music (Sidenote: while looking for info for this i came across a relatively hard to find song of theirs here).

The sound of this band on first listen is a very laid-back and almost entrancing blend of post-rock and a perfect version of the math rock sound that many Japanese bands were chasing at that time. On top of that drummer Ken Tanaka adds the perfect amount of depth to each song to keep it sounding fresh even after the countless times ive listened through their discography.

Thats not to say that the rest of the band doesnt put in work, guitarist Shuhei Nakamoto is incredible at adding subtleties to songs that are great to dig into each listen (reverse guitar on Seven Colored Songs my beloved). While on the topic of guitar, (this might be a bit nerdy to anyone but me) the tone on each song is incredible, being mostly clean but occasional effects like a bit of barely noticeable flange every now and then seemingly just to spice things up, its great.

The album i'll link you to is going to be their second album Okurimono, it was my first exposure to them and i feel like its the perfect starting point. To the already familiar, i'll send you over to a live cover of When You Sleep they did, this band killed it live and unfortunately i havent been able to find many videos of their live shows.

thats it, cya!!