An encouraging trend in the world of music is artists taking full creative control of their projects. This is happening across the globe, and Japan’s Junichi Yano is my latest discovery of this kind.
By Graeme Smith
Access to technology has certainly helped. It’s enhanced an independent streak which sees artists tell us who they are by being involved in every part of the creation of a track from songwriting, production, mixing, mastering, and artwork.
You might think that in an overly saturated market that this is a bad thing – that we need more curation, not less – but I disagree. A proliferation of independent, DIY artists means that the all-encompassing algorithm and those chasing it don’t overwhelm alternative voices.
For his new single (his 33rd!), Sigh’s Puzzle (（ため息のパズル), Yano did it all, right down to the English-language lyric video. The result is something fiercely mould breaking. It’s cryptic, psychedelic pop with a refreshing rawness.
The vocals are beautifully expressive in the verse before becoming passionate and soaring in the chorus. The lyrics speak of the unfinished, missing puzzle pieces, goodbyes not said, melodies in progress, and emotions not settled, suggesting loss and heartbreak. It’s a stirring concept, and one that’s rarely explored this deeply through song. Sigh’s Puzzle is a refreshing alternative to the straightforward breakup track.
Musically, classic rock trades blows with modern pop, giving us a heady mix of the two. The track would fit nicely in the ‘70s yet somehow also feels right at home in 2026.
The accompanying lyric video is bright, animated and tells a story of its own, giving us a multi-dimensional work.
Every part of Sigh’s Puzzle feels intentional and well thought out. It’s clear that Yano is dedicated to his craft and his prolificness shows that dedication isn’t faltering. The fact that he is reaching outside Japan to meet an international audience through English lyrics means that we all get to enjoy what he’s doing. It’s not a commercial decision, but an artistic one. Yano has stories to tell which we can all relate to.
I’ll certainly be keeping a close eye on what he’s doing, and I hope you will too. His music is rich in imagery, emotion, and shows us a different view on life. To keep up to date with all he’s doing you can follow him on X, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube, and Instagram.
Sigh’s Puzzle is out now, and you can listen to it below.
Supported by Musosoup #SustainableCurator
