Ume Gumi is an Indie Rock duo based in Japan consisting of Yukiko Gray on lead vocals and percussion and Richard Gray on secondary vocals and instrumentals. Their debut single “Haru” which translates to ‘Spring’ and ‘Ume Gumi’ which loosely translates to ‘plum group’ in Japanese vividly portrays the beauty of Spring in Japan using the sonic landscape of Japanese Indie Rock. The duo claims influence from lo-fi and vintage rock bands and is able to pay homage to these genres.
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The track is simple in terms of the elements it invites. A stripped-down verse and pre-chorus ingrain the sonic theme in the listener immediately while the chorus contrasts this with playful chords and energetic strings. Richard Gray’s vocals become more prominent in the chorus and the soft harmony between the two vocalists stands as a pleasant juxtaposition to the intense chorus. We witness more groove in the strings during the second verse leading in to the anthemic bridge. Humming the elaborate outro, “Haru” takes gives its listeners their own sweet time to wind down.
The bilingual song has but one English line that says “your colours shine bright”. The video song is heartwarming and provides further context about the largely Japanese lyrics. It captures the Ume Gumi walking through Kenrokuen garden, one of the three famous Japanese gardens and puts on display spring in Japan in all its charm, beauty and glory. The natural landscape, flowers, streams, water and fish make for a delicate visual spectacle.
Ume Gumi through its unmanicured self, embodies the best parts of non-English Indie Rock. They are just getting started and I look forward to seeing the interesting places they explore in their journey!
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