Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2013
Japan’s longest-named band, Arakajime Kimerareta Koibitotachi E (roughly “For Star-crossed Lovers”) is touring its new album Document. The theme of the disc is “departure,” and it sees the Tokyo group moving away from its roots in dub toward ecstatic instrumental rave music not so far in spirit from the music of Seiichi Yamamoto’s Rovo. But “Arakoi,” as they are affectionately called, have always been first and foremost a live band, a fact attested to by the large crowds that regularly turn out for their shows.
