Yellow Magic Orchestra Cosmic Surfin' Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) is a Japanese electronic music band formed in Tokyo in 1978. The band consists of three members: Haruomi Hosono, Yukihiro Takahashi, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. YMO is considered one of the pioneers of electronic music and has had a significant impact on the genre. Cosmic Surfin' is one of the tracks from YMO's album "Solid State Survivor," released in 1979. This album marked a significant shift in the band's sound, incorporating more pop and rock elements while still maintaining their signature electronic style. Cosmic Surfin' is a vibrant and energetic track that showcases YMO's ability to blend various musical genres seamlessly.
A great title for another YMO classic. "Cosmic Surfin'" was a track on the band's very first album in 1978. Haruomi Hosono（細野晴臣）, Yukihiro Takahashi（高橋幸宏）and Ryuichi Sakamoto（坂本龍一） stretched their techno abilities, seeing how they infused into other genres. There was Martin Denny's exotica "Firecracker", Tatooine-and-old-movie-adventure-music "Simoon" and the Asian "Tong Poo" and "La Femme Chinoise". Then, there was YMO's tribute to 60s surf music.
One of these live performances was seen by an American A M Records executive, and by the end of 1978 they had an international record deal, prompting the three to shift from solo careers and session work to a popstar lifestyle as YMO note Sakamoto and Takahashi still maintained active solo careers for the entirety of YMO s existence, with Hosono starting up again in 1982. Shortly after Hosono s 1978 exotica-tinged album Paraiso credited to Harry Hosono and the Yellow Magic Band, which featured Sakamoto and Takahashi contributing as session musicians , they decided to use the name Yellow Magic Orchestra, parodying the faddish fascination with black magic in Japan at the time.
Cosmic Surfin' is a vibrant and energetic track that showcases YMO's ability to blend various musical genres seamlessly. The song features catchy melodies, driving beats, and experimental synthesizer sounds. It has a futuristic and spacey feel, with elements of disco and new wave mixed in.
Kayo Kyoku Plus
I've been a fan of Japanese popular music for 40 years, and have managed to collect a lot of material during that time. So I decided I wanted to talk about Showa Era music with like-minded fans. My particular era is the 70s and 80s (thus the "kayo kyoku"). The plus part includes a number of songs and artists from the last 30 years and also the early kayo. So, let's talk about New Music, aidoru, City Pop and enka.
The lyrics of Cosmic Surfin' are minimalistic and repetitive, enhancing the overall hypnotic and trance-like atmosphere of the song. The track's title and lyrics, combined with its spacey sound, evoke imagery of cosmic exploration and surfing through the depths of the universe. Yellow Magic Orchestra's influence on electronic music cannot be overstated. They were one of the first bands to embrace and experiment with synthesizers, drum machines, and other electronic instruments. Their innovative use of these technologies laid the groundwork for the development of various electronic music genres, including techno, house, and hip-hop. In addition to their contributions to music, YMO also had a significant impact on popular culture, influencing fashion, visual art, and even video games. Their futuristic aesthetic and sound resonated with audiences around the world and continues to inspire artists to this day. Cosmic Surfin' is just one example of YMO's vast discography, which includes many other groundbreaking tracks. Their music remains timeless and continues to captivate listeners of all ages. YMO's legacy in the world of electronic music is secure, and they will always be remembered as pioneers and innovators in the genre..
Reviews for "Yellow Magic Orchestra's Cosmic Surfin: A Sonic Journey Through Space"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Yellow Magic Orchestra Cosmic Surfin" to be a disappointing album. The songs lacked any depth or originality, and the repetitive electronic beats felt monotonous after a few tracks. The overall sound was bland and forgettable, making it hard to distinguish one song from another. I was expecting something more innovative and exciting from a band with such a reputation, but unfortunately, this album fell flat.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Yellow Magic Orchestra Cosmic Surfin" was a complete waste of my time and money. The album is filled with random, bizarre noises that made it sound more like a poorly executed experimental project rather than a cohesive musical endeavor. The songs lacked structure and melody, and I couldn't find myself enjoying any of them. The album tried too hard to be avant-garde and ended up being an unbearable listening experience.
3. Alex - 2 stars - As a longtime fan of Yellow Magic Orchestra, I was highly disappointed with "Cosmic Surfin." While their earlier works had an infectious energy and creativity, this album fell short in comparison. The tracks felt uninspired and lacked the catchy hooks and intricate arrangements that I loved about their previous albums. The whole album felt like a rushed production with no real direction. I hope the band will return to their roots and deliver something more engaging and memorable in the future.
4. Emily - 3 stars - "Yellow Magic Orchestra Cosmic Surfin" didn't captivate me like their previous albums did. While there were a few standout tracks that showcased the band's talent for blending electronic and traditional music, the majority of the album felt repetitive and lacked the innovation that I expected from them. It didn't have the same impact or freshness that their earlier releases had, making it a forgettable addition to their discography.