Tokyo Karankoron

Tokyo Karankoron formed in 2013, a group of friends who wanted to play music that felt a little unusual. Their sound mixes traditional Japanese instruments like the shamisen with synthesizers and drum machines, which caught some attention in Japan's indie scene. The band includes Kazuki Hamada on vocals and shamisen, Rina Yokoyama on keyboards and vocals, Yoshiaki Konno on drums, and Shota Nakano on bass.

Their song "Spice" became something of an anthem for them after it appeared on their 2014 album of the same name. It's a good example of how they handle that blend of old and new elements without making it feel like a gimmick. They followed it with another album called "Odyssey" in 2016.

Some listeners found their approach too unconventional, and they've faced criticism from both traditionalists and more avant-garde crowds. They've kept at it anyway, playing with costumes and lyrics that can feel provocative, but mostly they seem interested in keeping things playful and a bit eccentric.