SAKUSEN 53 DELIVERS TRIUMPHANT FREAKOUT-POP ANTHEMS

Celebrating two new tracks from Osaka’s mystical messenger

It feels like Sakusen 53 was dropped into our dimension from elsewhere. A mystical messenger sent to deliver the supernatural via song and dance.

Although it’s only a matter of time til the leading alternative music tastemakers come knocking, she’s already adored within Osaka, Japan’s vibrant left-field / electronic / singer-songwriter circles. 

Beloved for her strange and electrifying stage presence, Sakusen 53 performances are at once spastic and subdued. Fantastical and grounded. Grimy and ethereal.

This depth and range is beautifully showcased in the electronic-pop artist’s two dazzling new tracks.

After meeting through staple Osaka noise-duo HYPER GAL, as well as connecting at several shows, Sakusen 53 and I collaborated on a rainy season rooftop photoshoot last June. 

On that day, the air was thick, gray, and sentimental, creating the perfect backdrop to capture portraits of the layered artist.

While this series has remained in the archives over the past year, it now sees the light of day in celebration of her recent 2-track release. 

On the surface “3.141592653589793238462643383” is a noisy, aggressive, and bizarre electronic composition. 

But through the veil of squeals, distortion, and grime, lies a dynamic and seductive pop track.

The song is enthralling from start to finish:

  • Beginning with the trance-inducing vocals in the verse

  • Then moving into the dirty, hasty electric guitar-led chorus

  • Followed by the bridge’s heartfelt vocal delivery 

  • And ending with a reserved, dropped out chorus smoothly transitioning into an anthemic burst

The second of the two tracks dives down its own whimsical rabbit hole.

“Fashion Delay” (officially written in Japanese Katakana: ファッションディレイ) is another dynamic display of songwriting and sound production, featuring a magnificent and intense swirl of:

  • Meditative mantra-like verses

  • Erratic, urgent drums 

  • Pulsing, trance-inducing bass

  • Frantic and sorrowful-but-spirited vocals

Driven by an overwhelming sense of desperation, the song moves like water- smoothly and intentionally molding itself to the energy of each section.

All of this culminates in a jubilant and raucous final chorus, followed by a brief synth outro that gives the listener a moment to process. 

From this realm or another, wherever Sakusen 53 came from, I’m glad she arrived. 

And with this recent release, it’s even more clear that Sakusen 53 is a star.

-Andy 


Note: Sakusen 53’s official artist name is written using the Japanese Kanji- 作戦53

Andrew Armstrong