On 9 January the Japanese band Yorushika (ヨルシカ) streamed a rare live performance, and last Friday they released their first concert video as a preview of this broadcast's DVD release, Previous Life, scheduled for 26 May, 2021.
Fish swimming gracefully in the background, faces concealed by shadows, a modest dress, bare feet, and a voice which soars passionately with each note, complemented by the addition of string instruments to the more traditional rock sound of guitars, bass, drums and piano make for a stunningly ethereal experience. The two songs featured in the video are Flower And Badger Game (花人局) from their latest EP Creation (創作), released on 27 January this year, and Spring Thief ( 春泥棒) from their album Plagiarism (盗作) released in July last year. The sound is gentle while Suis' voice is powerfully emotive, with effortless transitions between high and low notes. N-buna, the mastermind behind Yorushika's songs, is content to support her on electric guitar from the shadows. The two of them prove without a shade of doubt that less is more - leaving the public to enjoy the music without the distraction of seeing their faces (their identity is still a secret) enhances it in more than one way, simultaneously providing a mystery to tantalise the imagination and a means of focusing more intensely on the sound.
If you're interested in learning more about this mysterious band, watch this space, as a more detailed introduction will be coming soon!
