CICADA

CICADA sounds like the intersection of a high-end jazz lounge and a rain-drenched Tokyo alleyway. Their music is defined by a lush, nocturnal elegance, where trip-hop beats meet sophisticated neo-soul arrangements. The production is polished yet intimate, often featuring a prominent, melodic bassline that anchors ethereal synth washes and delicate guitar flickers. It is the sound of the city after the crowds have dispersed, leaving only the hum of neon signs and the rhythm of the night.

What truly sets them apart is the vocal delivery of Akiko Jo, whose breathy, almost whispered tones float above the intricate instrumentation. Unlike the darker, grittier trip-hop of the Bristol scene, CICADA leans into a more melodic, J-pop-influenced sensibility without sacrificing the genre's characteristic moodiness. They utilize syncopated rhythms and jazz-inflected chord progressions to create a sense of constant, fluid motion, like water flowing through a concrete landscape.

Start with the album 'BED ROOM' to experience their most cohesive late-night vision. It perfectly captures the transition from the intimacy of a private space to the vast, lonely expanse of the urban environment. If you prefer a slightly more energetic, color-splashed sound, 'Loud Colors' showcases their ability to blend their moody foundations with vibrant, danceable grooves.