(This is a translation of my other post ミュージック. I often write my posts in both English and Japanese but it seems non-Japanese speakers don't notice that. Maybe this is a better format.)

I want to talk about some music I've been listening to recently. SWALLOW are a Japanese indie band. The first time I heard them was their song "AOKUMIJIKAIHARU" from Spotify's recommended. From that moment I've been a SWALLOW fan. Later, unrelatedly, I saw their song "Passport" on YouTube's recommended page. I was intrigued by the thumbnail that showed an injured goose in a painterly style, so I clicked, and lo and behold it was SWALLOW again. Almost all their songs are pretty emo but I think they're good. I especially like this lyric (at 2:53)

So I can keep sheltering this fading twilight

I flee the harshest morning sun and head into the West

(This translation is my own. Many Japanese words are multiple syllables, while English words are generally shorter with harder to pronounce syllables. This makes it especially difficult to translate songs while keeping them within the rhythm of the original lyrics and keeping ease of a vocalist's pronunciation in mind. Often additional words must be added which can change the meaning unintentionally. I'm not satisfied with this translation but it's good enough I think.)

Sometimes I wish I could become a migrating bird's dream. I would float amongst the clouds without a care, and run my hands through the steam clouds spewed from factory smokestacks. I feel I'm harboured by the darkness of depression. I feel I am running from the sunlight. That's the feeling I get from the song.

I've also been listening to Inoue Yousui's Make-up Shadow. The link goes to Yorushika's cover. That's simply because I like that version more. The singer is going into the "adult-like world" for the first time, and putting on a "face". I don't use makeup. I don't like wearing a mask, among other reasons. Also I rarely go out, so who would I be showing off to? Still, I've heard it's fun.

I'll also talk about some English bands I like. The Feeling are an English indie pop-rock band. I like their recent song "Eyes Open". Many years ago they were very popular but now they're mostly forgotten. Still, I believe their latest album, San Vito, is their best work. I want them to become more popular again. The main singer is gay, so their lyrics often talk about the fight to gain rights in society.

Finally, I'll talk about a band I just remembered about. They don't have any new music, but apparently they're working on their 5th album. CHVRCHES (pronounced like "churches") are a Scottish electronic pop band. My favourite song from their 4th album is How Not To Drown. When the singer says "drown" and "down" you can really hear the Scottish accent haha. Apparently CHVRCHES are popular even in Japan. The male singer on the song is Robert Smith of The Cure. He's a legend in the electronica scene.

What are you listening to recently? Could you introduce me to some new music?