REVIEW

Debut album from Tokyo-based three-piece indie rock band Yukiguni, named after one of Yasunari Kawabata’s most famous novels.

Their greatest strength lies in their beautifully restrained melodies, imbued with a strong sense of wabi-sabi. Drawing from post-rock, slowcore, shoegaze, and folk, the band weaves a deeply lyrical soundscape that almost demands to be paired with images of snow. Delicate arpeggios and a clear yet fragile vocal delivery further reinforce that wintry impression.

As the album unfolds, vivid scenes emerge one after another: snow dazzling in the morning sun, flakes drifting softly from a leaden sky, blizzards raging across desolate plains, and vast, blinding-white fields stretching endlessly into the distance. Across 15 tracks and just over an hour of runtime, the album builds an immersive world that seems intent on capturing every facet of “Yukiguni” in sound.

According to a radio interview, the band isn’t consciously aiming for any specific genre or referencing particular artists. Instead, they focus on expressing their own personal longing for the idea of “snow country” through the sounds they love. Personally, I can’t help but hear traces of influences such as Spitz, Kinoko Teikoku, or Hitsujibungaku, alongside an undercurrent of icy tension reminiscent of Whirr or Kauan. That chill alone should make this album resonate strongly with fans of shoegaze and post-rock—myself very much included.

My standout track is #1 “Hontō no Seijaku (True Silence).” I love how it moves from a subdued, gently sung opening into the darkest moment on the album. The only drawback is that it ends far too quickly; I can’t help wishing a longer version existed somewhere.

Because the album plays out like a single, continuous narrative, I strongly recommend listening to it in track order at least once. Highlights include the dynamic contrast of #6 “Stella” → #7 “Yūdachi,” the haunting beauty of #8 “Shōshitsuten,” and the dramatic progression of #9 “Mayonaka.” Taken together, it’s almost overwhelming how many strong songs are packed into a debut release—so much so that their next album feels a little intimidating to anticipate.

Beyond the music itself, their DIY ethos also deserves praise. From music videos and merchandise to running their own label, they handle everything independently—and they’ve even mentioned wanting to release other bands’ music in the future. Surprisingly, they’ve also been making smart use of ChatGPT along the way.

The members are currently university students in the middle of job hunting, but they made one thing very clear on the radio: continuing the band is non-negotiable. With that kind of conviction already in place, the future for Yukiguni looks incredibly promising.