There are a handful of ultra-popular Japanese artists whose music I’ve just never connected with. Up until Hachikō, Fujii Kaze was one of those artists. I’ve enjoyed a song here and there, but never to the point where I stopped in my tracks to realize how awesome he could be as an artist. Hachikō is the first single from his upcoming album and I hope the rest of the project sounds as exciting as this.
Hachikō makes a very strong case for the merits of a 4+ minute song. This running time gives it space to unfurl with a measured pace that sees its sonic elements build upon each other in a well-woven tapestry. By the time the song has finished its first chorus, many TikTok ready singles would already be over and forgotten. Hachikō is built around a catchy vocal rhythm that opens the track and carries through the bulk of the melodies that follow. Disco strings soon join the fray alongside brilliant waves of synth that give the song a celestial texture.
From here, Hachikō blossoms into a series of gorgeous refrains buoyed by a layered vocal arrangement that makes the song feel grand and thrilling even as its tempo remains measured. There’s just such a sense of completeness and intention behind a song like this, which is so refreshing within an industry that often favors quick hits and fast fashion. Hachikō feels like a big moment in the way the first single from a long-awaited album should. I’m glad it’s already a well-deserved hit in Japan.
Hooks
9
Production
9
Longevity
9
Bias
9
RATING
9