Nagoya EP | Foodman And Nikki Nair
The city of Nagoya, Japan, has struggled with its reputation, exemplified by a viral 2016 headline calling it “The most boring city in Japan.” However, this perception couldn’t be further from the truth, especially when you look at its thriving, underground experimental music scene. Nagoya is home to innovative artists like woopheadclrms, CVN, and, most notably, the electronic music maestro Foodman (Takahide Higuchi). For years, Foodman has been drawing inspiration directly from his hometown, transforming its seemingly “hum-drum life”—from public baths to rest-stop set lunches—into some of the century’s most fascinating electronic sounds.
Everyday Surrealism: Foodman’s New EPs
Foodman’s magical ability to morph the mundane into the surreal is on full display in his two newest EPs. The collaborative effort, Nagoya EP, created with electronic artist Nikki Nair following Nair’s visit to the Aichi city, perfectly captures this theme. One track is directly inspired by Nair losing his glasses in a sento (public bathhouse), conveying the feeling of stumbling through steam and chatter with pitch-bended sounds and woozy synth splashes. The track “Deep Miso,” which nods to a local delicacy, offers a more hypnotic, chipper rhythm. Conversely, Foodman’s solo EP, Nameraka, sets more boundaries by being created entirely on a single Electribe. This trio of zippier, high-speed club cuts—often clocking in at 150 BPM—is a showcase for Foodman at his fastest, providing an out-of-body energy via relentless, tumbling beats. While Nagoya EP celebrates city staples as fantastical concepts, Nameraka focuses on the kinetic rush of the late-night scene.
Beyond the Beat: Japan’s Diverse New Releases
While Foodman holds the electronic spotlight, the energy from Japan’s creative scene is broad and relentless. The garage-rock outfit osoroshia kakumei, a 2025 standout, keeps the fuzz flowing with a raw, punchy energy on their latest release. Meanwhile, the duo 2beef leans into its strengths with big, churning shoegaze numbers, submerging vocals under layers of feedback. Even the “city pop” revival is evolving. The semi-super-group Guiba continues to release a steady stream of albums, although their latest, Maiwai, has sanded off the initial Tokyo-underground edge in favor of what might be described as “pleasant” marimba-glazed grooves. This diverse output—from the frenetic sketches of hachigatsu_news to the surreal hip-hop imagery of rirugiliyangugili—confirms that the Japanese music landscape is richer and more varied than ever.
Tune into the Japanese Underground
The music coming out of Japan today is proof that innovation is happening everywhere, especially in overlooked places like Nagoya. Foodman is leading the charge, using his city’s atmosphere to create electronic music that is both deeply personal and universally surreal. Whether you are drawn to the woozy, collaborative soundscape of the Nagoya EP or the relentless club pace of Nameraka, these releases demand attention. Coupled with the raw rock of osoroshia kakumei and the evolving sounds of the city-pop-influenced Guiba, the message is clear: the Japanese music underground is exceptionally rich. Ignore the tired headlines and tune into the creativity radiating from Nagoya and beyond. The next wave of essential music is waiting for you.
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