We don’t often get to feature records in Japanese, but when we do, we are certainly proud of it! ‘Haru’ is exactly what we’d expect from Ume Gumi: an eclectic record, uplifting yet quirky and unique, drenched in Western rock tradition with a decisively Japanese character. Built over sleazy indie rock tones, the single is almost lo-fi in its sonic nuances, perhaps retro too, especially in the choice of guitar distortion.
The duality between Japanese and English lyrics works very well; in a way, it carries the whole essence of Ume Gumi: a collaborative project that features real-life partners Yukiko Gray and Richard Gray, reversing their multi-cultural influences into their music. The result can be heard in ‘Haru’; while it does contain a healthy amount of rock stylings, the pair’s vocals manage to elevate it to higher grounds.
Speaking about the track, Ume Gumi explain: “‘Haru’ has a nostalgic, lo-fi, comfortable sound with positive lyrics that will make you want to go outside and feel the arrival of spring with your whole body. The official music video was filmed in Kanazawa during the cherry blossom season in spring”.
Recommended! Discover ‘Haru’ on Spotify:
