Negoto - SOAK

As a group of childhood friends from Chiba who have been playing together as a band since they were 15, to be able to perform and find success with your best friends by your side must be a dream come true (I love my friends but unfortunately none of our talents or paths seem to match professionally). Without being forced to adopt a certain image or selected based on appeal like most idols, negoto have been true to themselves, writing all their own songs and placing emphasis on the music, not style.

SOAK is actually their 5th album since their major debut in 2010. They’ve honed their sound to dreamy electronic alt-pop, and with the touch of Nakano Masayuki of BOOM BOOM SATELLITES, SOAK has a very driving rhythm, and while its danceable it’s not quite dance music, it’s catchy electronic pop but without the sweetness. There’s a kind of melancholy and emotion in it that suits living in Japan in the modern age, with all the technology, artificiality, uncertainty and disconnect between people. Growing up in that environment, they sing about imaginary constructs - the world’s end, flying in the sky, space and underwater cities. In reality, I guess they’re still just four young women trying to navigate a world that doesn’t always make sense. Thankfully for them (and for us) they’re still living a dream.

Tracklist

1. DANCER IN THE HANABIRA

2. INSIDE OUTSIDE

3. WORLDEND

4. サタデーナイト

5. Fall Down

6. moon child

7. undone

8. ALL RIGHT

9. シリウス

10. 水中都市

11. 空も飛べるはず