TOGAWA, JUN kyokuto ian shouka YLR-22006

An Avant-Pop Masterpiece: The Jun Togawa Unit’s “Kyokuto Ian Shouka”
There are few artists in the history of Japanese music as singular and uncompromising as Jun Togawa. A true avant-garde icon, her work has consistently challenged conventions and explored the outer limits of pop music. A powerful example of her unique vision is the 1985 album, “Kyokuto Ian Shouka” (Far Eastern Comfort Songs), released under the name Jun Togawa Unit on the legendary Yen Records label with the catalog number YLR-22006.

This album is not a typical solo effort but a collaboration, with the “Unit” consisting of Togawa and her musical partners, Yoichiro Yoshikawa and Yoshifumi Iio. Together, they crafted a sound that is both deeply experimental and strangely accessible. The record is a fascinating and eclectic blend of styles, mixing the sophisticated synth-pop sound that Yen Records was famous for with traditional Japanese folk melodies, Okinawan music, and even a cover of her own elementary school anthem.

Togawa’s performance on the album is, as always, a tour de force. Her vocal range is astonishing, shifting in an instant from childlike innocence to powerful operatic cries and raw, emotional intensity. The album’s themes are just as varied, touching on subjects from the lighthearted to the profoundly dark. She described the album’s central theme simply as “blood,” a hint at the raw, visceral, and human feeling that runs through these incredibly diverse songs.

“Kyokuto Ian Shouka” is a landmark album in the landscape of 80s Japanese avant-pop. It’s a challenging, rewarding, and deeply original work from an artist who refuses to be categorized. For any listener interested in the more adventurous side of Japanese music, this album is an absolutely essential and unforgettable experience. You can find this iconic piece of Japanese musical history in our store or on our website.