New Music Of The Day: Yokan System – Ipanema (Video Premiere)

“Dreaming music” is how singer/synth player Mai from Tokyo-based duo Yokan System describes her band’s songs. Debut album ‘Whispering’ came out on Ample Play last month, a thrilling, creeping electro record that was pretty worldwide in its influences – many reviews favourably compared it to Cocteau Twins and early Human League, while the band themselves (Mai is joined by Tsukasa on guitar and synths) cite Warpaint, Bjork and Blonde Redhead as influences. Personally, I think bits of ‘Whispering’ recall MIA and CSS’ melodic drive, while rhythmically it’s an absolute beast of an album, totally exciting – with hints of long forgotten cumbia classics like Pintura Roja’s ‘Jamas’ finding a way in too.

‘Ipanema’ is one of the standout tracks, and today we’re premiering the video, which is a literal wander through the backstreets of Tokyo. I visited the city a few years ago and what struck me was that away from the bright lights and Lost In Translation vibes of the main hubs, there’s a real grit to the place – bits of it look like Shane Meadows’ Somers Town. It’s this vibe which director Matt Schley has captured brilliantly here.

Check the video out below, and after the jump read on to hear what Matt has to say about the working with the band:

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Matt Schley: “I’ve known Mai and Tsukasa for many years now and I’m a big fan of Yokan System, so I was honoured when they asked me to make the video for ‘Ipanema’. They basically gave me free reign. The video was shot in Tokyo, but I tried to avoid a lot of the usual Tokyo clichés, opting for side streets. I picked the shots with the idea of “system” in mind: systems of how people move, interact with each other and their environment.”

Yokan System are looking likely to be back in Europe in the new year.

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