Originally released in 2018, this Japan-born Filipino dream pop artist’s EP Unexpectedly has been reissued both on cassette and vinyl
By Josh Morente
“Please keep me in mind.”
To echo what she sings in her song, please keep Megumi Acorda in mind because she is just all-around lovely. Much like that of shoegaze giants My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and Ride, her music is littered with reverb-heavy and fuzz-driven guitars replete with nostalgic riffs. Then add a dreamy voice that goes neither too high nor too low, and you get her much lauded debut EP, Unexpectedly. Originally released in 2018, the EP has been reissued both on cassette and vinyl at the bookends of 2020.
SoundCloud has been a haven for up-and-coming artists who just want to let people know what they feel through their self-produced music. Megumi Acorda is no alien to that. The Japan-born Filipino artist started from releasing demos and covers on the popular music-sharing platform. What was originally a solo effort has now turned into a five-piece band formed with equally amazing musicians, who never outshine each other, but instead perfectly complement one another.
Telecaster in hand and a calming voice to boot, she’s been making waves throughout Asia and globally since 2015—what with an amazing shoegaze cover of a cover in the form of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ Crimson & Clover, as well as playing alongside Japan’s For Tracy Hide and Singapore’s Cosmic Child back in 2018.
SoundCloud has been a haven for up-and-coming artists who just want to let people know what they feel through their self-produced music. Megumi Acorda is no alien to that. The Japan-born Filipino artist started from releasing demos and covers on the popular music-sharing platform.
Sonic musings and effect pedals aside, how else could you describe her music? It’s a dream pop wonder that’s reminiscent of love once lost and never found, but leaves you feeling hopeful and optimistic for something. Ah yes, yearning.
Before the lockdown-ridden pandemic, one can catch her playing in dive bars scattered in Manila with acts such as The Last Great Auks, Identikit, and Supernova Scene.
If you wish to check her music out, everything is available online, including the freshly dropped lockdown live version of her EP. Just type “Megumi Acorda” on Spotify, Bandcamp, or Youtube. But here’s an insider tip: Where the hidden gems lie is her SoundCloud.
And the link to bandcamp: megumiacorda.bandcamp.com/.