Japanese Rock Sensation Radwimps Dish on Manila, Anime, and New Music
Esquire Philippines got the chance to chat virtually with Japanese rock juggernauts Radwimps ahead of the release of their upcoming full-length record Anew, with the band expressing their desire to blend genres and to experiment with more sonic possibilities for the next generation of music.
With a career spanning more than two decades, the band broke into the global mainstream with the now-iconic Makoto Shinkai Japanese anime film Your Name (2016) or Kimi No Na Wa in Japanese. The band continued this orchestral-centric production work throughout other Shinkai films such as Weathering with You, and the most recent Suzume (2022). These are films known for their jaw-dropping images and tear-jerking musical scores via the recognizable piano melodies prompting instant recall value.
“Well, I think the production of Kimi no Na, which Mr. Shinkai talked about, definitely had a huge impact on us," Yusuke Taneda, the band’s bassist and producer said during the virtual interview. "I think that's where we were able to use the computer more deeply. I think that's where we were able to learn a lot more about instruments."
“That's what I feel," he added. "I wonder what's going to happen in the future. New music is always being born.”
Taneda said that he is currently into bands and artists that use electronic tools such as synthesizers, and other gizmos that could make environmental sounds into viable song elements.
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“Music that can no longer be categorized by genre is also being born,” the bassist says. “I want to be sensitive to those things. I'm always looking forward to what kind of music the new generation will make.”
If you ask any anime fan or even someone who doesn’t even watch the medium often, hearing the first few notes of the songs “Sparkle” or “Nandemonaiya” off the smash-hit Shinkai film Your Name would immediately transport them back into the film, which also has incredible replay value.
“I think anime has had a big impact on me. When I was born in Japan, I learned how to express my emotions in a very sympathetic way,” Yojiro Noda, the band’s frontman, vocalist, and pianist said. “As a Japanese person, I learned how to express my emotions.”
The Tokyo-born Noda lived in the US from ages six to 10 and cites Western bands such as Radiohead and Oasis as early influences in his music. Current musical favorites and influences of his include neo-folk icon Sufjan Stevens, and the guitar wizard and overall musical genius Michael “Mk.gee” Gordon.
And just like most Japanese people, anime was part of his growing up, is unlikely to leave his life anytime soon, and will continue to shape how he expresses himself.
His go-to anime recommendation was a surprise to us: the cute and endearing slice of life anime series Skip and Loafer.
Anime as a medium, which usually consists of thought-provoking Japanese cartoons, helped Noda hone his ability to process emotions and how to channel that into Radwimps’ projects.
“I learned how to express my emotions in a very Japanese way. I learned how to express my emotions in a very sympathetic way,” the singer said. “Not just Shinkai anime, but in general, Japanese anime has a lot of emotions that are expressed in very Japanese ways, with some being very over-expressive and others being very reserved.”
Radwimps will release their 12-track LP Anew next week, which will feature “Meidai” the theme song for Nippon TV’s News Zero and Tamamono, a drama series from NHK.
“Meidai” is much heavier in tone compared to the band’s more somber and melodic orchestral cuts from their Shinkai ventures, as the newest track is even progressive and guitar-centric. Onda uses his voice like a piano in this tune with arpeggiated vocal melodies in a fast-paced indie rock-style sound.
“Tamamono,” on the other hand, still draws from the orchestral and string elements from the band’s Shinkai ventures but are fused with the funky bass lines and rhythm electric guitar stabs, among other high-speed melodic runs.
It has been two decades since the Japanese rock outfit’s debut. Their last project was the soundtrack for latest Shinkai film Suzume, which saw the band collaborate with famed composer Kazuma Jinnouchi. The partnership yielded a fan-favorite track, “Grand Escape,” with guest vocals from actress and singer Toko Miura.
We first got into Radwimps’ alluring sound via the acclaimed Your Name soundtrack and their subsequent record Human Bloom (2016). “Confession,” from that album and “Iindesuka” are quintessential pieces of Japanese rock and great entryways to the Japanese music scene to the uninitiated.
Maybe an underrated track from the band’s catalogue is “By My Side,” a B-side of the 2006 album Setsunarensa.
“By My Side” is also Onda wearing his Radiohead-era influences on his sleeve both vocally and in his songwriting, really leaning into that melancholic and introspective atmosphere.
“Ms. Phenomenal” is another track that showcases how transitioning to a more piano-based production style shaped the band’s ability to tap into that vulnerability. The track was from the 2022 drama and tearjerker The Last 10 Years (2022) starring Japanese A-listers Nana Komatsu and Kentaro Sakaguchi.
The insane energy at the Radwimps Manila show last year
“It was amazing. I still remember the shape of the venue," Onda said about their first Manila show last year at the Araneta Coliseum in May last year. "There were 10,000 people up there. It was my first time. I still remember the overwhelming energy. Everyone was screaming and singing.”
On Yusuke’s end, he said he dabbled in learning a few Tagalog phrases and expressions for the show, much to the delight of the Filipino crowd.
The world-famous Big Dome was a packed house as Radwimps showcased total mastery of their respective instruments and showmanship honed over two decades.
“They were all standing up, singing along, and every minute we thought, why weren't we here before now?” the bassist said.
