Yosuke Shimonaka - Shimonaka - Vinyl LP

2026

It’s an endless summer with this guitar.
A tropical sound arriving from beyond the horizon. A groove that makes you want to drive endlessly down the highway. This is the debut album *SHIMONAKA*—marking the metamorphosis of guitarist Yosuke Shimonaka—which has debuted at #1 (according to "Tokonatsu" research)!
Yosuke Shimonaka has toured the globe as the guitarist for the indie rock band DYGL and captivated audiences in never young beach through his dual-guitar interplay with Takuro Okada. This summer, he sets sail on a new sonic voyage as the enchanting guitar hero "SHIMONAKA."
"J-Fusion" and "Crossover" music evolved uniquely in Japan during the 70s and 80s. In recent years, that sound has crossed oceans, garnering enthusiastic support from young listeners worldwide. While this album inherits that musical DNA, it transcends mere nostalgia. Midsummer sunlight, urban nightscapes, tropical humidity, and the blend of melancholy and euphoria pouring from a car stereo—this is a new-generation tropical instrumental album that updates "the future envisioned in that era" with a 2026 sensibility. "SHIMONAKA’s" guitar brings the summer with it.
Forged on the front lines of rock bands rather than the jazz scene, Shimonaka’s guitar playing is light yet possesses a touch of raw intensity. "There are as many melodies as there are waves." Centered on this guitar sound, the performances of talented musicians—Yu Taniguchi (Key, Syn), toyo (Ba), So Ebihara (Dr), and Kazuhiko Masumura (Per)—interweave to create a supreme "Coconut Groove." Additionally, three tracks feature vocals by Amazons, a group that has long colored the Japanese pop scene with their brilliant vocal harmonies. Harmonies that drift through palm trees like a gentle breeze envelop the entire album in a radiant glow.
Whether you’re out for a drive with someone special or spending a night on your own, this sound has you covered. Let’s be clear: this is the kind of music that brings a smile to your face—the very thing we’ve been waiting for.
The mix was handled by musician Takuro Okada—whose album *Konoma*, released via the LA-based label Temporal Drift, has garnered attention from music fans worldwide—while the mastering was done by Dave Cooley, also based in LA. The album is released through Thaian Records, an independent label run by Yuma Abe, a close friend of Shimonaka.
Tuned to the rhythm of the sea breeze.
This exhilarating sound represents a new form of "Japanese Modern Music," perfectly in sync with the global resurgence of interest in Japanese music.
The vinyl edition is a strictly limited pressing, arriving in September—just as the lingering warmth of summer begins to fade. Yet, this sound isn’t confined to the summer months; it’s music that transcends the seasons, allowing you to keep riding the waves all year round.

Tracklist:

Side A
01. Private Jet
02. Coconut Groovin'
03. Rainy Harbor
04. Synthesized Reality

Side B
01. Sucker Punch
02. Aquarium Memory
03. Don't Be (too) Sad
04. Jojo's Heaven
All songs written by Yosuke Shimonaka