REVIEW

Debut EP from a shoegaze/post-rock band based in Gunma, Japan, puleflor.

I first discovered them in July 2021 through a self-organized show by their hometown peers, fish in water project. Listening to the demo of “utopia” immediately drew me in: Akane, the vocalist/guitarist, delivers a fragile, translucent voice, while the music evokes “night” and “winter” with its melancholic sensibility. The delicate, crystalline instrumentation and vast soundscapes reminded me of early Kinoko Teikoku and Sigur Rós, leaving a strong impression—especially knowing the band members were around 20 years old at the time.

A standout track is #3 “Nocture”. While relatively up-tempo, its poignant melody tugs at the heart. The outro shifts into a waltz, leaving a lingering sense of depth. In live shows, it’s often paired with slower, building tracks, amplifying the contrast of stillness and motion, light and shadow, making the performance even more captivating. Following “Nocture” with the band’s ultimate cleansing anthem “utopia” was almost divine—truly transcendent. Fans of melancholic music should definitely check this EP.

*Note: On streaming services, “Nocture” appears as track #2.