Go Kurosawa (Kikagaku Moyo) Announces Solo Debut, ‘Soft Shakes’

In our opinion, one of the most consistent and exciting labels over the last decade has been Japan‘s Guruguru Brain. Focusing on “feel good sounds across Asia,” it was founded by members of the flagship band, Kikagaku Moyo. When multi-instrumentalist/producer Go Kurosawa started the group, he came in as a fan of psychedelic rock, and these exploratory excursions would become a trademark of the project until their indefinite hiatus began at the end of 2022. With minimal success in their home country, it was through the US psych scene and festivals like Levitation, Desert Daze, and Austin Psych Fest where they initially established their footing, before earning international acclaim for the group and the label, at large.

Best known as the band’s drummer/vocalist, Go is very much involved in the label’s operations. When I reached out with a request to photograph their final Seattle concert, it was Kurosawa who personally responded and put me on the list. Acts like Minami Deutsch, Mong Tong, Satomimagae, and Sundays & Cybele with their krautrock, experimental, acid-folk, electronic, and psych leanings have broadened the minds of so many Westerners about the amazing music being produced from Taipei to Tokyo. It would make sense if Go chose to dedicate himself more to the label than traveling the world performing in the band.

Fortunately, for those of us who miss hearing new music from Kurosawa, he has just announced his debut solo release. Titled Soft Shakes, the new LP is described as “pure psychedelic, as it is Go jamming by himself.” Adding that it is “best suited for dancing alone in your room, hanging outside, and doing something for the first time.“

Go offers the following statement about his debut:

 “It’s already been 3 years since Kikagaku Moyo stopped and I’m glad to be able to share what I’m doing musically with you all. Through the process I realised what I like about music is that you can go somewhere else with it, and I hope you can feel the same while listening to soft shakes. Thank you so much for listening & enjoying it!“

Pre-orders for Soft Shakes are currently open through the Guruguru Brain website and Bandcamp. For this release, the label has opted for the somewhat unorthodox approach of leading with physical media. Vinyl orders will begin shipping as early as next week, with a digital release not set to follow until September 5th.

You can check out the first single, “autowalk” below. If the rest of the album is anything like this, it could easily become one of our favorites of the year.