Is a band of 2 talented New Yorkers. Consist of Yuki Chikudate (I love love love her name so much) as leading vocals/keyboardist & James Hanna in guitar/vocals along with their 2 other members. Originally named Sportfuck, the band changed their name to Asobi Seksu (American pronunciation for ‘Play Sex’ in Japanese) and released their debut full-length album in 2004.  They continuously stand on Shoegaze/Trance Pop/Noise Pop/Indie Pop genre and sing in 2 languages between Japanese & English. As I’m a huge-fan of Shoegaze, I actually had began my asobi seksu-addiction since 2006 when they released their Citrus album. My first song was Strawberries then followed by much more atmospheric Walk on The Moon and up-beat Asobi Masho, both from their first album as Asobi Seksu, Asobi Seksu.

First time i had my ears on them, i just can’t help but to fall immediately. Asobi Seksu is fun, sexy and just utterly hard to forget. Yuki’s translucent voice might remind us of other Japanese bands out there but this ambiance sure leave it’s own signature. Their sound has been said to drawn influence from the shoegazing movement of the late 1980s to early 1990s, which was coined to describe the textured and effects-heavy sound of alternative rock in that era. Though full with sad and melodramatic lyrics, the sound’s fun and all candy. What’s unique is we’ll never find songtitle’s word inside the lyrics. They always kinda put on title that fit the song’s ambiance and theme instead of cutting it from the lyrics. Listen to it once and you’ll definitely crave for another!

Some critics said that Asobi Seksu has changed its music from shoegaze to a more mellow dream pop sound, but their lyric stay as strong as before and Yuki’s voice still giving the same mythical atmosphere. I always mention them as thin air in a cloudy day but hell you wont forget that ambiance for long.

Up till now, Asobi Seksu had released 6 albums and 1 EP under the name Sportfuck along with 8 Singles and 3 Side-albums. I recommend all although my favorite stays on Asobi Seksu, Citrus & Stay Awake/Then He Kissed Me.

Their full discography can be found via their MySpace Page, while their up close & personal may get into your daily through Asobi Seksu’s Facebook & Twitter

Listen To:
Me & Mary
Mizu Asobi
Walk on The Moon

Full Albums download can be found at musikmate, if the link still work :p