Tourist by Helsinki Lambda Club
On Helsinki Lambda Club’s Tourist
Lately, it’s felt like Helsinki Lambda Club has been searching for direction. Their activity this year has been nothing if not energetic—digital singles, a headlining tour, appearances at countless circuit events—but it’s hard to say those efforts led to any dramatic expansion. Still, I put their new mini-album Tourist, set for release this December, into my player.
And there it was: that unmistakable, friendly pop sensibility—Kaoru Hashimoto’s hook-filled melodies and the band’s lightly bouncing ensemble sound—that hasn’t lost a bit of shine. The lyrics are still packed with just the right amount of sting, leaving behind little emotional splinters like fish bones caught in your throat. You’ll also hear new sides of the band: the layered harmonies in track one, “Marie no Dress,” and the soulful groove with bold horn sections in track two, “PIZZASHAKE,” are just two examples.
This is, without question, an ideal mini-album. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a single weak track. Helsinki Lambda Club has never released a dud, and this time, all seven songs hit the mark.
Ironically, it might be their consistency that makes it harder to grasp what makes them stand out. When your average is this high, it’s easy for your strengths to blur together. But getting caught up in that is missing the point. Think about the bands at their roots—90s alternative and lo-fi heroes like Guided by Voices, Superchunk, or Sloan. None of them had giant chart-toppers, but through a steady stream of great songs, they’ve earned lasting respect from generations of indie listeners.
That’s the kind of band Helsinki Lambda Club is. And if that’s the case, there’s no need to hesitate. They’re still young, and time spent second-guessing would be a waste. Just keep making good music. Keep playing good shows. It sounds simple, but pulling it off over time is anything but easy. Still, I hope these three continue to do so with their signature nonchalance.
And if we borrow a line from their lyrics—
“There’s no final scene.”
—Text by Ryota Tanaka
Tracklist
| 1. | marimekko | 4:00 |
| 2. | PIZZASHAKE | 3:32 |
| 3. | Jokebox | 3:38 |
| 4. | Moving | 4:01 |
| 5. | Time,Time,Time (Album Mix) | 3:20 |
| 6. | Rock'n'roll Prankster | 4:26 |
| 7. | Gotta Do Something | 3:13 |
Credits
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Formed in 2013, Helsinki Lambda Club is a Japanese alternative rock band led by vocalist Kaoru Hashimoto. Blending 70s rock with modern indie pop, their sound fuses garage punk attitude with new wave and psychedelic spirit. With catchy melodies, playful lyrics, and genre-bending experimentation, their music moves freely across styles and borders.