In December 2023, their debut 7-inch single "Fukidashi" sold out immediately upon release. Last year they played shows overseas as well, and they've been hugely active at festivals and events all over — "Chappo," a band of two young musicians in their early twenties (Oto Fukuhara and Yuta Hosono) who brilliantly digest and elevate the history of the Kakubarhythm label, blowing a lovely fresh, modern breeze and looking set to become an important presence carrying the future of the Japanese music scene.
Their long-awaited debut, the 1st album "a one & a two," is set for release next month on 4/16, but first came the advance 7-inch single "Sonoato" on Friday 3/21.
Carrying over the mood of the previous "Fukidashi," "Sonoato" features acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, plus striking touches of banjo and glockenspiel, finished with nimble arrangements over pop-yet-avant melodies and rhythms shot through with their own overflowing, original sense of orientalism — somehow nostalgic yet fresh, modern, warm and deeply flavorful. Side B "ATOH" (sample 2), with its New Orleans gumbo second-line groove and wonderfully gritty entwining jazz guitar, is a gem in its own right. The sleeve illustration is an original piece drawn by Ginji Kinashi, inspired by the songs. (Original Japanese text by COMPUMA)