photo: Daniel Whiston
I first saw Future Shinjuku at Hockley Hustle last year at Wax Bar and they blew me away. I was a bit gutted to find out that they were a new band and therefore didn’t have any music out in the ether for me to gnaw on. But, as they say, good things come to those who wait. So I waited. And waited. When suddenly, a Facebook notification. Future Shinjuku Red Dot EP Launch at JamCafe, it said. The happiness, it swirled around in my brain juices.
To kick things off, Hey! Quadrophonic were supporting. Along with all the colour found in their music’s bounce, and the lead singer’s blinding Bowie get-up, something filthy lay underneath, grinding away. And shit, it was good – funky vibes a plenty as the four-piece jammed their socks off. Their last tune 1984 was particularly enjoyable, along with the musical eyeball communication between bassist and drummer. I love it when band members do that – you’re not sure if they want to make sweet, melodic love, or punch each other in the face. Maybe a bit of both.
Anyway, Future Shinjuku describe themselves as futuristic, progressive, psychedelic pop. Drums, guitar, bass and keyboard, guitarist on the mic. Vocals are used carefully – more to amplify the deliciously refined-yet-gritty instrumental than as the focus – sometimes in ranted, cathartically repeated lines like Get Out My Mind. For me, the band shine most when they leave you hanging by a thread, on a looming whirlwind of an atmospheric beat, and then smash you in the face.
The beauty is found in the subtleties of their sound, those little moments that make one shoulder jolt upwards involuntarily. Red Dot, White Flag has got the simplest, sexiest bassline I’ve heard in ages – intense, dark, and focused. Their tunes come with flashes of Brand New, Stone Roses, Nirvana, and a blend of genres – emo/alt rock, nineties Britpop, indie, post-punk – and it all rolls together to create music perfect for stooping your head to, smoke billowing from inside your cheeks.
Hopefully we’ll be seeing these lads about on the circuit more now they’ve got their EP out. Be sure to give them a listen on their website and keep your eyeballs peeled. I’ll be well surprised if they don’t blow up. Figuratively, of course.
Future Shinjuku launched Red Dot EP at JamCafe on Friday 29 January 2016.
Future Shinjuku website
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
