#shunkan

It’s been five long years since Shunkan’s last release, but Marina Sakimoto’s back with a new label and a new collaborator (Grammy award winning producer Alex Newport), for an album catching us up on her past. The album “reflects on fleeting friendships that echoed her adolescence, coming to terms with an unwinding love, and wandering through the streets of LA in search of herself.” “Hellbound” jumpstarts the album with a punch from the 2000s. Distorted guitars and throbbing bass over eerie, but sweet vocals. “It’s a big thing coming, Big thing coming, Look around, We’re hellbound.” Here’s the video:   

 Next up, “Sidekick,” is a sonic ballad with soaring guitars. Track 3, “INALYNAF,” (Ineedaloveryouneedafriend) is a swinging’ rocker that you can bet will bring the crowd to an all-out sing along. “Frogtown” is a punch in the face rocker that could’ve been written by The Breeders, but concludes with an Icona Pop reference(?) to “I (We) Love It.” “Usual Suspects” is a snarling attack complete with punch piano and swirling guitar solos with diaristic lyrics. “The heater is broken for another week. So, these cases are getting colder as we speak. They’ve been mailing these letters cut out and glued on. With the lyrics of my favorite song: ‘Where have all the cowboys gone?’” Track 6 “I Did My Part Today,” is a slow, repetitive, and yet, beautiful song that comes off as mantra-like with its quick, monotone vocal delivery. “Arm’s Length” is another sonic number filled this time with hypnotic keyboards to crank in the car full blast this summer with the top down. It’s another one you’ll want to sing along to at the top of your lungs! “Talk Is Cheap” slows the mood down a bit, but really cool, ethereal vocals and music highlight a song that builds and builds until the chorus. “Prettier” is the longest track on the album complete a throbbing bass, soaring vocals, and swirling guitars. More heartfelt lyrics tell it all, “I could be prettier, But I wouldn’t be me, I hate myself enough, To like my company.” The album ends with “Gilligan’s Island.” “Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…” No, it’s not the theme song, but more like a bedroom pop song with beautiful keyboards, spacy guitars, and a chorus that kicks. Kamikaze Girl is a great return for Shunkan. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another five years. Welcome back, Marina! ERIC EGGLESON

(Photo credit: Rae Mystic)