Main Image credit: NJ Hewitt @nj_Hewitt

Interview originally published Aug 14th 2023

Experimentation and diversifying sound is always a risk, especially when you can be at the mercy of purists but Japanese band Clarity have taken the plunge and the results? Absolute magic.

“I think I just combined Djent and City Pop”

Imagine a band member coming to you and saying those words. Clarity frontman Andy experienced just that. Instead of laughing it off, it slipped its way in as the missing piece of the puzzle for a band that was struggling with its identity.

You see, Clarity is very much a Japanese band. They are based in Tokyo and play in the scene but with a singer from Ireland, it set them apart. In their early days, they unashamedly set out to emulate the bands they loved but with member changes and growing as musicians, that was never the path they were destined to take.

It’s not that their previous music was not great. It is brilliant. If you have not had the chance to check out their 2020 release In The Light of Lies Pt 1 & 2, then you are missing out on some great post-hardcore, emo tracks. It is just when people grow, their art grows and that has bought Clarity to where they are now:

City pop meets metalcore.

Last month Clarity released their new single ‘True Romantic‘, which is produced and features guest vocals from Hansel Romero from nightlife.

City pop feels like it emanates from the lights of Tokyo. Combine that with Djent-sounding guitars (with a hint of almost mathcore) and vocals that rival some of the best emo-vocalists out there, then you have ‘True Romantic‘.

So in case you missed this incredible track, stream it here.
Or watch the video here: