Jun Parker – Embracement (2022)
Drawing on the influence of City Pop, Jun Parker brings the retro feel of Tokyo to a modern Australian viewpoint. In his single ‘Embracement’, he merges J-pop tones with acid jazz, soft rock and retro vibes for a melancholic walk through our minds. If you are looking for a new style of music to get addicted to, Parker may just have the sound you want with his funky nostalgia.
Part of a new retro-modern musical movement, Parker has you dancing to his rhythm while mapping out memories, emotions and the point where culture and language meet. When he first arrived in Australia, he brought with him a collection of vintage Japanese music that formed the foundation of his sound. Now, part of the Neo City Pop movement, he is bringing a modern appreciation for this style.
The jazzy vibes of ‘Embracement’ has you lightly bouncing to the music. There is a really bright and happy touch to the melody that fills your senses with glittering lights and kaleidoscopic swirls. You can hear the foundation of City Pop throughout the melody, but there is a modern edge to the piano line that brings something new to the sound. There are a lot of elements packed in the melody that leave you having a blast while you listen. The instrumentation flows together masterfully, while allowing each instrument to make its presence known. There is a funky bounce that remains throughout the single that you can’t help but move around to. The light and bright flow of the music carries you through the single and lays out a glittering mental path for you to follow.
As the music gets you gently vibing to the rhythm, Watabe’s vocals enter like a light breeze that ruffles your clothing as you walk through a city. While the vocals are in Japanese, the vocal delivery transcends any language barrier. You can feel the emotions and experiences that have been infused into each word. They effortlessly take you on a journey through past and present, while considering the happiness and sadness that memories can bring. Even if you don’t speak the language, you may find yourself wanting to sing along before the end of the track. While there is a bright touch to the vocals, you can feel the first strains of melancholy inching out of the undertones. The use of Japanese lyrics enhances the overall City Pop feel of the track.
Through the bright instrumentation and addictive vocals of ‘Embracement’, Jun Parker takes us on a city walk through past and present, tinged with melancholy. The music is a wonderfully infectious combination of elements that allow the instruments to shine, while merging together. The vocals are bright and emotive as they transcend the language barrier many feel with the Japanese lyrics.
Find out more about Jun Parker on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
