Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) is a pioneering electronic music group from Japan, formed in 1978. Comprising of Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yukihiro Takahashi, YMO's innovative sound and use of synthesizers played a significant role in shaping the electronic and synth-pop genres. YMO's music combined elements of pop, jazz, and traditional Japanese music with the latest electronic instruments and technology of the time. They popularized the use of synthesizers and drum machines and introduced a fresh, futuristic sound to the music scene. YMO's music was infectious, catchy, and often experimental, pushing the boundaries of what was possible with electronic instruments at that time. One of YMO's most notable songs is "Rydeen," which features a driving beat and captivating melodies.
This 10" mini-album is a collaboration with the sketch comedy group Snakeman Show. Don't worry though, it's mostly in English. What you get is a series of slighty weirder songs (including a truly bizarre cover of "Tighten Up") interspersed with comedy sketches that are actually quite funny. I think Takahashi is mostly in charge here, given the similarities to his solo LP Murdered by the Music. Not exactly a place to start, but I have a real fondness for this album. I'm not really sure how to describe the humor here - it's very self-deprecating but more nonsensical and bizarre than anything. Maybe worth getting for the cover alone, which I've seen parodied many times in Japanese media (you kinda get the implication here). The entire thing seems like a parody of Western attitudes towards Japanese people. You may know of a band called Plastics which also dabbled in this kind of thing.
The massive success of this album convinced the band to stick around a while, though they soon dropped the jazz and exotica tendencies to do something a bit more New Wave and Kraftwerk-like. This is similar to the impact and connections of the members of The Velvet Underground, and as well will see, they had a huge influence of the emerging electronic subgenres.
One of YMO's most notable songs is "Rydeen," which features a driving beat and captivating melodies. The song showcases their ability to create energetic, danceable tracks that still maintain a melodic and harmonically interesting sound. Another popular track is "Yellow Magic (Tong Poo)," which has a more subdued and atmospheric feel but still displays YMO's signature electronic sound.
The Yellow Magic Orchestra Extended Universe
I love the Yellow Magic Orchestra but it was only recently that I took a deep dive into the catalogue and discovered a rich and nuanced musical microcosmos around their three members. There are similar guides on here that are very good, I like JAMOOL's Yellow Magic Orchestra + solo and related albums most and used it as a template. However I have decided for a different approach in such that I go from most YMO-related to least YMO-related.
Also, this list is not comprehensive, which would be insane to do, but rather collects the most essential listens.
Vol. 1: Yellow Magic Orchestra | Next: Pinback ᐅ
ADVERTISEMENTThe Yellow Magic Orchestra was founded in 1977 by Haruomi Hosono as a vehicle to create synth-based exotica music to lampoon Asian clishé in the west. The music however became extremely commercially succesful so they quickly turned into a proper synth pop band when there were not many synth pop bands.
All three members have had careers before the project (and after even more so). YMO hence should be considered a supergroup, but as you will quickly see YMO defies easy categorization. I think YMO was more the center of a complex, interconnected world of different musical projects, which I from now on will refer to as the "Yellow Magic Orchestra Extended Universe". This is similar to the impact and connections of the members of The Velvet Underground, and as well will see, they had a huge influence of the emerging electronic subgenres.
Due to their style and influence, they were called the "Japanese Kraftwerk" which is very true but also a comparison that needs more analysis. They wanted to be the Japanese Kraftwerk but "less German", as they themselves put it. While the Germans were efficient, minimal, coldly artificial, even dystopian and posing as robots, YMO had more complex arrangements, weirder sounds, and a jubliant vibe around them, presenting a very different interpretation of the synth pop idiom. Like, imagine Kraftwerk doing a song like Firecracker, Kimi ni Mune Kyun, or Rydeen, that would insane.
And as much as I love Kraftwerk - Sakamoto, Hosono, and Takahashi were muuuuuch better musicians, like, it's not even a contest. Also, the core duo of Schneider and Hütter mostly stuck to themselves, while the YMO musicians were involved in a huge number projects, which I hereby attempt to bring into a meaningful categorization. So, as a summary, I think I narrowly prefer Kraftwerk to YMO due to my German bias, but if you take all related projects into account, and you absolutely should, YMO blows Kraftwerk out of the water as the greatest synth pop band of all time.
Have fun, because, I had, since the YMO extended universe is W I L D, as you will see soon.
All three members have had careers before the project (and after even more so). YMO hence should be considered a supergroup, but as you will quickly see YMO defies easy categorization. I think YMO was more the center of a complex, interconnected world of different musical projects, which I from now on will refer to as the "Yellow Magic Orchestra Extended Universe". This is similar to the impact and connections of the members of The Velvet Underground, and as well will see, they had a huge influence of the emerging electronic subgenres.
Due to their style and influence, they were called the "Japanese Kraftwerk" which is very true but also a comparison that needs more analysis. They wanted to be the Japanese Kraftwerk but "less German", as they themselves put it. While the Germans were efficient, minimal, coldly artificial, even dystopian and posing as robots, YMO had more complex arrangements, weirder sounds, and a jubliant vibe around them, presenting a very different interpretation of the synth pop idiom. Like, imagine Kraftwerk doing a song like Firecracker, Kimi ni Mune Kyun, or Rydeen, that would insane.
And as much as I love Kraftwerk - Sakamoto, Hosono, and Takahashi were muuuuuch better musicians, like, it's not even a contest. Also, the core duo of Schneider and Hütter mostly stuck to themselves, while the YMO musicians were involved in a huge number projects, which I hereby attempt to bring into a meaningful categorization. So, as a summary, I think I narrowly prefer Kraftwerk to YMO due to my German bias, but if you take all related projects into account, and you absolutely should, YMO blows Kraftwerk out of the water as the greatest synth pop band of all time.
Have fun, because, I had, since the YMO extended universe is W I L D, as you will see soon.
YMO's influence on the music industry cannot be overstated. They inspired and influenced countless artists and bands, both in Japan and internationally. Their use of synthesizers and electronic instruments paved the way for the synth-pop movement of the 1980s and beyond. Even though YMO disbanded in 1984, their music continues to be celebrated and revered by fans and musicians alike. Their legacy as pioneers of electronic music and their innovative compositions ensure that their influence will be felt for years to come. In conclusion, Yellow Magic Orchestra's music is a captivating blend of pop, jazz, and electronic music. Their pioneering use of synthesizers and electronic instruments helped shape the sound of the 1980s and beyond. YMO's legacy as innovators and their catchy, experimental compositions make them an essential part of music history..
Reviews for "Yellow Magic Orchestra vs. Kraftwerk: A Clash of Electronic Music Titans"
1. John - 2/5 - I found "Yellow Magic Orchestra" to be quite underwhelming. The tracks lacked depth and variety, and I found myself bored after a few songs. The repetitive electronic beats became monotonous, and I couldn't connect with the music on an emotional level. Overall, it felt like a forgettable listening experience for me, and I struggled to see the appeal that many others seem to find in this album.
2. Emily - 3/5 - While I appreciate the experimental nature of "Yellow Magic Orchestra," I couldn't fully enjoy it. The eccentric blend of synthesizers and electronic sounds felt too chaotic and disorganized for my taste. Some tracks had potential, but they were often overshadowed by the cacophony of sounds that clashed throughout the album. It felt like an album aimed at a niche audience, and unfortunately, I didn't fit into that category.
3. David - 2/5 - "Yellow Magic Orchestra" failed to resonate with me. The futuristic and robotic vibe of the album felt cold and detached, making it difficult for me to engage with the music. The lack of familiarity in the soundscapes also made it hard for me to connect emotionally. It felt like an album made for a specific taste, but unfortunately, it wasn't mine. I found myself searching for something more relatable and accessible, which left me disappointed in the overall experience.