
Nihon No Wave Vol. 1
Various
- 7"
- 2 x LP
- Label
- Mecanica
- Expected release
- 12 September 2025
Japan’s electronic music scene has always stood out as uniquely distinctive. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a wave of underground projects, bands, and independent labels—primarily based in Tokyo and Osaka—began crafting their own sound. Inspired by the post-punk, new wave, and experimental movements emerging from Europe and North America, these artists embraced a DIY ethic, using whatever technology they had access to in order to forge something entirely their own.
This movement, often referred to as the "Nippon-wave" scene, remained largely hidden from the outside world. Many of its releases—on cassette tapes, flexi-discs, and privately pressed vinyl—were never distributed beyond Japan’s borders, making them rare treasures for the few who managed to discover them. “Nihon No Wave” presents a selection of these long-overlooked recordings, making them accessible to listeners beyond Japan for the first time.
This re-issue is limited to 500 copies and comes on a double vinyl set, accompanied by a bonus 7” featuring four additional tracks. It also includes printed inner sleeves and an insert with photos and credits, all housed in a deluxe silk-screened and sewn synthetic paper jacket.