My growing knowledge of Kirinji（キリンジ）is still an ongoing project. Although it is currently just Takaki Horigome（堀込高樹）minding the store, I remember when it was a full-fledged band not too long ago with some spacy upbeat delights and then much further back at the entry point of the 21st century, when it was simply the duo consisting of Takaki and his brother Yasuyuki（堀込泰行）giving out some of the most wonderful soulful ballads such as "Aliens".
Of course, I'm a huge fan of Kirinji, no matter the era and style of their music, and so is fellow contributor HRLE92. We communicated recently and he's been rather busy with his own academic pursuits but he was able to let me know of one of his favourites by the Horigomes, and that is the first song on their 8th single "Drifter/Taiyo to Venus"（太陽とヴィーナス...The Sun and Venus）, released in July 2001, not too long after "Aliens".
Written, composed and arranged by the Horigomes along with Keiichi Tomita's（冨田恵一）help on arrangement, "Drifter" starts off with a piano rhythm that feels like it's introducing a couple of old buddies in a retirement home going over old times, and then it slips into that familiar smooth blanket-swaddling Kirinji and Tomita balladry from their early years. From the title, I had initially assumed that it was about a lonely soul going through life, never sticking around one place or one person for long before moving on, but then looking at the lyrics, I realized that it was about a couple trying their best to hold onto each other during tempting turbulent times.
Reaching No. 43 on Oricon, the single's two main songs also ended up on Kirinji's November 2001 album "Fine".
To anyone visitors if you enjoyed J-Canuck's post and the music selection and you want to know more about Kirinji but you for some reason can not find information about the Band in you language then here is a little something:
ReplyDelete**KIRINJI (キリンジ)** is a Japanese pop group that originally started as a duo composed of brothers **Takaki Horigome (堀込高樹)** and **Yasuyuki Horigome (堀込泰行)**. They are known for their sophisticated blend of pop, soul, jazz, and funk, featuring intricate chord progressions and nuanced songwriting.
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## Formation and Early Years
- **Formation**: KIRINJI was formed in 1996, and they quickly gained attention on the Japanese indie scene with their smooth, melodic style.
- **Major Debut**: In 1998, they made their major-label debut and began building a dedicated fan base thanks to radio-friendly tracks and their signature laid-back yet musically rich arrangements.
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## Musical Characteristics
- **Genre Fusion**: KIRINJI’s music often fuses pop with elements of jazz, soul, and funk, resulting in tracks with complex harmonies and rhythmic layers.
- **Sophisticated Sound**: Their songs are frequently praised for their refined composition and arrangement, marrying accessible melodies with a more experimental, musically intricate approach.
- **Lyricism**: The lyrical themes commonly revolve around everyday life, relationships, and introspective reflections, all delivered in smooth vocals.
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## Notable Developments
- **Brother Duo to Expanded Band**: In 2013, Yasuyuki Horigome left to pursue a solo career under the name “Horigome Yasuyuki.” Takaki Horigome continued under the KIRINJI name, transforming it into a larger band setup with new members.
- **Ongoing Projects**: Since then, KIRINJI has continued to release new music, collaborating with various artists and evolving their sound while retaining their core jazz-influenced style.
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## Selected Discography
- **“Kick no Oni” (キックの鬼)** (1998) – An early track showcasing their melodic pop approach.
- **“Aliens” (エイリアンズ)** (2000) – One of their most iconic songs, beloved for its dreamy, wistful vibe.
- **“Killer Tune”** (2002) – A catchy pop single that helped bring them wider recognition.
- **“Seven”** (2014) – An album released after the transition from duo to band, featuring new members and fresh stylistic directions.
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### Why They Stand Out
KIRINJI’s ability to fuse various genres under a “city pop” umbrella and produce polished, mellow tracks has won them a loyal following over the years. Whether as a brotherly duo or a multi-member ensemble, they remain a staple of the contemporary Japanese pop landscape, admired for musical depth, creativity, and their gentle, sophisticated sound.
Thanks for the primer on Kirinji, Brian. :)
DeleteAND, Thank you for creating this blog that has become the biggest encyclopedia of Japanese music on the internet! (at least that I am aware of).
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