[YMO] Revisiting the classic songs of YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA!
YMO, Yellow Magic Orchestra, laid the foundation for Japan’s techno and electro scene.
In this article, we introduce their classic tracks that helped establish technopop.
The three members were influential musicians leading the music scene even before forming YMO.
They loved trying new things, viewing live performances as a place to present finished works and studio recording as a place for new challenges, pouring the most love into recording.
Now, enjoy YMO’s songs that were ahead of their time and became a social phenomenon.
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[YMO] Looking Back on YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA's Masterpieces! (41–50)
LightYellow Magic Orchestra
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.
Pockets full of rainbowsYellow Magic Orchestra
Yellow Magic Orchestra is a music group recognized worldwide.
Needless to say, they are the pioneers who laid the foundation for Japanese techno.
They have many classic tracks, but the one I especially recommend is Pocket ni Niji ga Ippai (Pockets Full of Rainbows).
As you might expect from a group with strong instrumental roots, even though this piece has many vocal parts, the vocals themselves are very understated.
There are no complex vocal lines, and the range is extremely narrow, making it an excellent song in terms of singability.
Shin Buyō (New Dance)Yellow Magic Orchestra
This piece is inspired by Indonesian male-voice chorus “Kecak.” With all excess stripped away, it has a minimal sound; the loops and the Kecak aesthetic feel like they could transport listeners somewhere else, making it a track you could dance to all night.
telepathy; tacit understanding (literally: ‘heart-to-heart communication’)Yellow Magic Orchestra
Yellow Magic Orchestra, affectionately known as YMO, is a band that has had an immeasurable impact on the Japanese music scene since its formation in 1978.
They employ a style in which the lead vocalist changes depending on the song.
Among them, drummer Yukihiro Takahashi often took the lead vocals, making YMO one of the bands known for having Japan’s most famous singing drummer.
Many listeners have surely been captivated by his vocal work—delivered with a languid air—while maintaining a precise beat.
Gray stairsYellow Magic Orchestra
It’s a song included on the album Technodelic, and Haruomi Hosono, who does the vocals, is said to have imitated George Harrison’s singing style.
I think it’s the way the intro chords are constructed and the exquisite choice of synth tones.
Haruomi Hosono later self-covered it in his solo work as well.