Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2010

P-Vine

Overseas indie rockers go slack-jawed at the musical prowess of acoustic pop wunderkind Shugo Tokumaru, and his fifth album, Port Entropy, is a good indication why. Beginning with the tinkly intro “Platform,” Tokumaru spins quirky tales of elevators and drive-thrus on instruments ranging from the glockenspiel to the harpsichord—all of which he plays himself. Though he has a tendency to stray into twee chamber-pop territory (and a voice remarkably close to Cornelius’), he can bring a smile to even the most jaded of lips when he’s in his upbeat, Beatles-influenced melodic vein (“Tracking Elevator,” “Rum Hee”). Don’t even think about trying to get tickets to Tokumaru’s June 6 Liquidroom “one-man live”—it’s been sold-out for weeks. Instead, console yourself by catching him the previous day at Taico Club or at one of the other summer festivals.

“Taico Club”
All-night electronic music festival with Autechre, Mice Parade, Matthew Dear and others. June 5, time TBA, ¥11,000 (adv). Kodama no Mori, Nagano Prefecture. http://taicoclub.com

Shugo Tokumaru
Experimental pop wunderkind tours his new album. June 6, 7pm, ¥2,800. Liquidroom, Ebisu. Tel: Smash 03-3444-6751.