REVIEW

The debut EP from Sapporo-based alternative rock band Otomekaiga.

Following their 2023 full-length debut, which showcased pastoral melodies unfolding through slow, post-rock–inspired structures, this EP marks a clear evolution toward a more hybrid and exploratory sound. By incorporating a wider range of influences, the band further refines the distinctive crossover that once drew attention: a striking fusion of 1970s Japanese yojohan folk sensibilities and roaring post-rock dynamics.

While the band does not explicitly identify as shoegaze, the intoxicated beauty created by their walls of sound and the faintly sorrowful, delicate vocals resonate deeply with shoegaze and dream pop listeners.
“Sayonara o Oshiete” stands out as a personal highlight, its slowcore-like heaviness planting an inescapable melancholy in the listener’s heart. “Yoru ga Akenai” is equally impressive, reworking a Takao Kisugi–level melancholic melody through post- to math-rock–influenced arrangements.

All five tracks are remarkably strong, making this EP a consistently engaging listen from start to finish. Given their sonic compatibility, a future show with Denkyu would be ideal. To those in the know—please consider this pairing seriously.