#quruli

Daft Punk & Quruli photographed by Junji Ishiguro for Snoozer magazine April, 2001

Amber Colored City, the Morning of Shanghai Crab

Amber Colored City, the Morning of Shanghai Crab is my favorite song of all-time.

What cemented that title perhaps lies in the unique Japanese sensibilities, specifically the use of “Shanghai Crab” as a literary device to convey affection and love. This is contrasted against melodic cadence and arrangement that reminds you of a metropolitan city rich in cultural idiosyncrasies distinct from Japan — but also out of time.

Amber Colored City means a lot to me on a personal level, and it grew a new layer — after I played LaD.

Ichiban strikes me as a happy-go-lucky person that strives to be strong for the people around him — whether they are deserving or not. But that also means he necessarily neglects or shoves his own feelings under the rug. It is a very tiring thing to do day after day and would eventually wear anyone down, even if that person is Ichiban. In my head canon (haha), I just want someone like Zhao to provide a space — both physically and figuratively — where Ichiban is comfortable enough to let go of the aforesaid burden and be true to himself.

Daft punk ads for Q magazine shot by Rick Guest (2001)