It was quiet for a while around Tokyo-based three-member tribal-psych band KUUNATIC. Last summer, the three women were still touring Europe, but lately, they’ve mostly been sharing monthly playlists featuring musical recommendations from the trio. This changed on 17 July, when the trio announced that we can look forward to KUUNATIC’s second album, which will be the follow-up to Gate of Klüna.
Interestingly, the recording of the new album will take place in Europe, starting in October. In addition, the band revealed that they have planned a show in Belgium, namely on 23 October at KulturA. in Liège. This will be the only show the trio will play this year after recording the new album, making it an immediately special gig.
Consisting of Fumie Kikuchi on keys and vocals, Yuko Araki on drums and vocals and Shoko Yoshida on bass and vocals, the musicians come from quite distinct musical and cultural backgrounds. They combine several musical genres to convey their bizarre universe, including dub music, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, traditional Japanese music, Latin music, and music from horror films. They transport listeners to their ceremonial otherworldly planet with the help of three female vocalists.
Of their first album Gate of Klüna (2021) is said that it tells the story of the imaginary planet Kuurandia (also the title of their first EP), how it began, evolved and was explored. When the new album will be released will be announced at a later date, but it will be interesting how KUUNATIC’s journey to explore and develop their musical universe continues.
