[YMO] Revisiting the classic songs of YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA!

SEE–THROUGHYellow Magic Orchestra

【HR】SEE-THOUGH – YMO

This work is the B-side of the single “Kageki na Shukujo,” released in July 1983, and it was also included on the album “Service” that December.

The sophisticated techno sound crafted by Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yukihiro Takahashi, combined with mature, sensual lyrics, creates a uniquely danceable world that’s truly appealing.

The live album “After Service” features an even groovier performance, making it a track you’ll want to play on a nighttime drive or when you’re feeling a bit stylish.

It’s a cool classic that captures the atmosphere of the discos of the time.

Be a SupermanYellow Magic Orchestra

YMO – Be A Superman

It’s a classic track that expresses the modern person’s ambivalent feelings—admiring Superman-like strength yet wanting to do nothing—through a minimal beat.

Released as a single in August 1993, it was included on the album TECHNODON, which reunited the group ten years after their “disbandment.” Due to rights issues at the time, they operated under a name marked with overlapping Xs, but their production style remained intact: Ryuichi Sakamoto and Yukihiro Takahashi on the track with Haruomi Hosono adding bass.

Their signature playfulness is also on full display, including a sampled “gomen” (“sorry”) that came from a mistake during recording.

River of HopeYellow Magic Orchestra

[HD] EXPECTING RIVERS – Rivers of Hope – YMO

A hidden late-period YMO gem that layers the motif of a “river” over dreams drifting through a starless night sky and the mingled anxiety and hope of groping through the darkness.

Yukihiro Takahashi’s romantic lyrics and melody interweave exquisitely with Ryuichi Sakamoto’s slightly off-kilter phrases, resulting in a bittersweet yet beautiful technopop track.

Included on the album Naughty Boys, released in May 1983, it also holds a key place in that it was the first song recorded for the sessions.

In September of the same year, it was released as the B-side to Kimi ni Mune Kyun (Ishin Denshin).

Tong PooYellow Magic Orchestra

Yellow Magic Orchestra – Tong Poo (1978)

This piece, which Ryuichi Sakamoto is said to have written with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra in mind, has an exotic atmosphere that feels intriguingly mysterious.

Yukihiro Takahashi’s tight drumming and Haruomi Hosono’s undulating bass feel fantastic! It’s recommended even for YMO beginners.

camouflageYellow Magic Orchestra

Camouflage – Yellow Magic Orchestra

This is a track included on YMO’s fifth single “Mass” and their fifth album “BGM.” Both releases feature the same take, and it’s a song that Haruomi Hosono called the best take on “BGM.” The low-pitched voice throughout the track has a mysteriously eerie quality, and before you know it, you find yourself replaying it over and over.

Citizens of SilenceYellow Magic Orchestra

Citizens Of Science – YMO

A track from their fourth album “X∞Multiplies,” released in 1980.

Overall, it has a strikingly mechanical, sharp sonic image, yet the raw, lifelike tone of the guitar that emerges within it is irresistibly appealing.

The multi-layered vocals create a curious sense of exhilaration in this song.

LightYellow Magic Orchestra

YMO – Light in Darkness HD

It’s a track included on the album “Technodelic” that offers a lot of interesting sound-related elements.

For example, the hi-hats are sampled from a human voice, and they also sampled the sound of hitting an oil can.

I’ve heard there was even a request for the bass line to be done in the style of Chuck Rainey.