The Band Apart (JP)

One of the standout indie bands in Japan, the band apart has been labeled on the Japanese scene as "musician's musicians" and with good reason. The group fuses elements from punk, bossa nova, jazz and electronica into a catchy yet sophisticated package. Their style features rhythmically complex interplay between the guitarists that is reminiscent of The Minutemen, supplemented by a bassline and percussion that lay down an active, jazzy groove. Despite these lofty pretensions, the band remains readily accessible with solid hooks and vocalist Arai’s smooth, English-only delivery.