The Appeal of Sakanaction

Music has a mysterious power.

It stays by your side when you are sad.

It gives you a push when you are happy.

And sometimes, it unearths emotions you didn't even know you had.

One of the bands that continues to create such music is Sakanaction.

In this article, I would like to carefully discuss the appeal of the band Sakanaction.

As an aside, I became a fan of Sakanaction because when I met Mr. Yamaguchi of Sakanaction at Yamaguchi Ube Airport, he was incredibly kind and professional.
He was genuinely a good person.

The fusion of rock and dance music

Many people who listen to Sakanaction for the first time

"Is this rock?"

might think.

The guitar rings out.

The bass groans.

The drums resonate.

It is certainly a band sound.

However, at the same time, electronic sounds and synthesizers are used boldly.

There are also strong elements of club music and techno.

It is a rock band, yet it is also dance music.

This unique musicality is Sakanaction's greatest characteristic.

Even though the songs are intense, they are somehow calm.

Even though the songs are quiet, they make your body sway.

You can experience such a mysterious sensation.

The talent that is Ichiro Yamaguchi

When talking about Sakanaction, one cannot leave out

Ichiro Yamaguchi.

He is a presence that is essential.

He is the vocalist, lyricist, and composer.

He is the central figure who creates Sakanaction's worldview.

There is a distinct characteristic to the lyrics he writes.

They are by no means just difficult words.

Rather, he carefully picks up emotions found in everyday life.

Loneliness.

Anxiety.

Impatience.

Hope.

He expresses emotions that everyone has felt using unique language.

That is precisely why listeners,

“This is about me,”

are able to think.

The lyrics are literary.

The appeal of Sakanaction also lies in their lyrics.

They are not just simple love songs.

They are not just simple cheering songs either.

They have a lingering effect, much like a piece of literature.

For example,

Yoru no Odoriko

and

Identity

when you listen to songs like these,

it feels like there is a clear story, yet the interpretation changes depending on the listener.

That is why I never get tired of listening to them, no matter how many times I do.

The way I feel about them changes as I get older.

This is a characteristic shared by excellent literary works.

Music you want to listen to in the middle of the night

Sakanaction's music

suits

the 'night'.

Midnight.

Streetlights.

Quiet roads.

A room where you cannot sleep.

It goes perfectly with that kind of scenery.

For example,

Night Fishing Is Good

even the song title suggests as much.

The atmosphere of the night.

Loneliness.

Silence.

And a little bit of hope.

They are skilled at expressing such emotions through music.

When listening with earphones late at night, you can get lost in a world of your own.

The live performances are overwhelming.

Sakanaction is also highly acclaimed for their live shows.

They do not just play songs.

Lighting.

Visuals.

Staging.

They create the entire space as a work of art.

Sometimes it feels like you are viewing an art museum exhibit or watching a movie.

It is a music concert, yet it is a comprehensive art form.

It is a stage that suits such words.

Just by watching their live concert footage, you can feel the strength of their dedication.

A band that faces the times

Sakanaction has always faced the times.

Changes in the music industry.

The spread of the internet.

The values of the social media era.

They are active while sensitively absorbing the atmosphere of modern society.

That is why they are supported by the younger generation as well.

At the same time, long-time fans do not leave.

Continuing to change without losing their essence.

That is not an easy thing to do.

Not hiding their inner weaknesses

Ichiro Yamaguchi has also made public his own struggles and mental health issues.

Many people demand perfection from successful individuals.

However, he did not hide his weaknesses.

That is likely why so many people empathized with him.

It is not because they are strong people that they are respected.

People are moved by the sight of someone trying to move forward while carrying their weaknesses.

That humanity is also strongly reflected in Sakanaction's music.

If you are listening for the first time

For those interested in Sakanaction,

• Shin Takarajima

• Identity

• Yoru no Odoriko

• Aruku Around

• Tabun, Kaze.

are songs I would recommend.

All of these are masterpieces packed with the essence of Sakanaction.

Summary

Sakanaction is not just a rock band.

They fuse rock and electronic music,

weave literary lyrics,

and continue to depict the loneliness and hope of modern people.

Their music is flashy yet delicate.

It seems complex yet is accessible.

It feels dark yet encourages you to look forward.

They possess such a mysterious charm.

If you have never listened to them, please try putting on your headphones at night just once.

Their music will surely quietly illuminate the unspoken emotions within you.