イェローマジックオーケストラ
Yellow Magic Orchestra

While reading about 2000s girl group Perfume, I found out the term "technopop" was used before in the 80s to describe a band named YMO. After looking them up, I wanted nothing else more than to make music like them. I started a garage band with my friends and even tried to cover one of their songs. In the end, I never got very close to my goal, but I'm thankful for the rabbit hole their music led me down. Solo albums, other bands, session musician work, producing, movie scores, collaborations— you could probably get a PhD in studying each of their influence on the music scene from 1970s Japan to the world of today.

Originally a one-time band brought together for one of Hosono's solo albums, they decided to keep working together and ended up producing lgendary album after legendary album. When creating an album each member brought their own strong, personal color to the table. Though this is what ultimately brought them to break up the band (the first time) after only about five years, it's also the reason they produced so music so varied, inventive, and groundbreaking. I remember spending hours on the internet wanting to find as much info on them as I could. Many years went by, then I started noticing more and more shout outs to YMO or the individual members. For no deserved reason I feel a little proud every time it happens.

Rest in peace, Takahashi. Rest in peace, Sakamoto. Please stay always in good health, Hosono.