Japanese guitarist Yosuke Shimonaka continues Japan’s long tradition of fusion through the lens of indie rock.The artist’s sound was forged on stage with rock bands. His guitar melodies are centered by the rhythm section, which includes Yu Taniguchi (keys/synth), toyo (bass), Hayate “After tours with DYGL and selling out the Budokan as one half of the twin-guitar lineup in never young beach, now he steps into a new role this summer with the release of SHIMONAKA.” (drums), and Kazuhiko Masumura (percussion) – to create what Shimonaka calls a “coconut groove.” 

Shimonaka was inspired by a conversation with never young beach bandmate and Thaian Records label owner Yuma Abe, then created his solo self-titled album album with the goal to “reimagine the future as it once was” for the contemporary listener, bathing his sound in references to midsummer light, urban nights, tropical humidity, and the inherently nostalgic rush of music pouring from a car stereo.

In recent years, Japan’s distinctive brand of 80’s fusion has found its way to the wider world, with artists such as Masayoshi Takanaka and Himiko Kikuchi finding passionate new audiences in foreign lands. While SHIMONAKA is indebted to the style they helped develop, this album is far from a mere exercise in nostalgia.

SHIMONAKA was mixed by Takuro Okada, whose most recent album, Konoma, released through LA label Temporal Drift, was acclaimed by both critics and fans worldwide. Mastering was handled by LA-based engineer Dave Cooley. The album will be released via Thaian Records, the independent label founded by singer-songwriter Yuma Abe, a close collaborator and longtime creative counterpart of Shimonaka.

Shimonaka
SHIMONAKA
Tracklisting
Space Bath/

Private Jet
Coconut Groovin’
Rainy Harbor
Synthesized Reality
Sucker Punch
Aquarium Memory
Don’t Be (too) Sad
Jojo’s Heaven

Pre-order SHIMONAKA HERE