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Indie Rock: 74plug in - Tonight E.P (2016)

88 / 100
Dreamlike and tender, Tonight E.P is a two-track indie/post-rock lullaby that captures the quiet beauty of twilight. While the omission of half the original songs dulls its full potential, it's still weave a nostalgic spell—imperfect yet charming in its English delivery, and a hidden gem for fans of Japan’s indie scene.
74plug in serves as a small testament to the quality of minor Japanese bands, especially within the indie/post-rock sphere that's rich with relaxing and nostalgic summer vibes—though to my eyes, the cover actually evokes the dusk of an autumn evening. Still, that’s no issue, as both seasons offer a similar blend of tranquility and melancholy for me.

This EP was originally released on CD on July 13, 2014 via Potune Records, while a live recording uploaded on December 9, 2013 can be found on SoundCloud, including an additional track: “Bed (practice).” The Bandcamp version appeared later on May 28, 2016 via Kiiro Records. Unfortunately, it omits “Warm Water” and “108の煩悩,” which is a shame.

The two tracks on Tonight E.P feature clean guitar fingerpicking and synths that build a lush atmosphere, blending soft indie and post-rock tones. The gentle vocals of Miura Nai and Suyama Ryosuke strengthen the indie rock character while maintaining a dreamlike atmosphere, particularly on “Tonight.” Overall, their singing feels like a lullaby drifting in the twilight. A sip of hot coffee in silence can’t compare to this sleepy incantation.

Both songs stir up memories—music to daydream to, to drift into thoughts of the past, the present, and the uncertain future. Gosh, it almost makes me want to cry.

Even though I expected (and hoped for) lyrics in Japanese, they turned out to be in English. This led to some misheard lines and highlighted the common struggles Japanese singers have with English pronunciation. However, that imperfection gave the songs a unique charm. Still, I was disappointed to learn there were originally four songs on this EP, and the more prominent post-rock elements were actually found in the tracks that were left out.

Well, what can you do? At the very least, Kiiro Records deserves credit for spreading independent Japanese music—indie, shoegaze, alternative—that might’ve otherwise been buried if left stuck within the “region-lock mindset” of the Japanese scene. Thanks to them, I got to enjoy two beautiful tracks from 74plug in.

It might be a stretch to compare such a small band to Japan’s musical giants, but fans of Yui—especially her band Flower Flower—might find something to like here.

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