Mary's Secret Box

Mary's Secret Box formed in Kyoto, Japan in 1994 around vocalist Yuuki Ozaki and guitarist Junya Maruoka. Their sound mixed atmospheric rock with dreamy electronica and haunting vocals, which made them a bit hard to categorize early on. They kept at it, playing shows and gradually building a following.

In 2002, the single "Painted On Your Face" broke through for them. The song's ethereal melody and introspective lyrics connected with listeners and helped establish the band. Their debut album was called "My Little Sweet," and later releases like "Sound of Mind" and "The Signs" incorporated elements of post-rock and ambient music.

In 2005, guitarist Junya Maruoka was arrested for drug possession. The band apologized publicly and decided to continue without him, with Ozaki remaining as the central creative force. They've collaborated with other artists, including composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, which added different textures to their work. Songs like "Suicide Playground" and "Absinto" show their range within that atmospheric, mood-driven style.