Just Before Noon

Madam Nanpo, a Tokyo based duo, makes their debut with the EP Shogo Mae. Blending elements of pop, rock, ambient, jazz, and more through their own distinctive musical lens, they transform diverse influences into richly psychedelic soundscapes. Created entirely through home recording, this striking collection marks the arrival of one of Japan's most exciting emerging indie acts.

The EP features Yogensha, where shimmering guitar textures and layered arrangements capture the exhilaration and nostalgia of a midsummer haze. Sorekara stands out with its pulsing low end and ethereal digital saxophone woven throughout the track. The title song Shogo Mae combines nostalgic piano melodies with an uncanny atmosphere, completing a body of work defined by intricate psychedelic sound design and Madam Nanpo's unmistakable artistic vision.

The lyrics, written in a fable like and dreamlike style, balance humor with an underlying sense of unease. The artwork is by painter Clarice Cai and depicts Ja no Yu, a historic bathhouse in Hinohara Village, with a subtle Satan motif known as Red Dragon appearing beyond the window.