New Series | Nao Asakura's MUSIC PLAYLIST Vol. 1: 5 Songs to Listen to on an Autumn Camp

New Series | Nao Asakura's MUSIC PLAYLIST Vol. 1

5 Songs to Listen to on an Autumn Camp

With the autumn foliage season here, it's a wonderful time for outdoor activities and camping. Many of you might be planning a trip with friends, family, or colleagues. With the variety of convenient portable speakers available these days, bringing your favorite tunes can surely liven things up! For those wondering "What should I play?", we'll introduce recommended songs for different scenes.

Text by Nao Asakura

Perfect for Autumn Camping: 5 Forest Soundscapes for Nature Lovers

10:00 AM
Everyone piles into the car and heads for the campsite! While driving—

Tycho - "Montana"

Tycho, a trio based in San Francisco, has likely graced your ears in Japan through their long-selling album "DIVE" and their performances at TAICO CLUB in '13 and '16. Described as "chillwave" or "dream pop," Tycho's music is the perfect soundtrack for a drive, gazing at the passing scenery. It's ideal not for the city, but for the winding mountain roads as you approach the campsite, creating a gentle, lyrical atmosphere.

1:00 PM
Arrive at the campsite. With a celebratory beer in hand, while setting up the tents—

Networks - "Ab-rah"

Networks is an electric band trio from Japan, featuring keyboard, guitar, and drums. While their sound systems shine in clubs and live houses, making them seem suited for more intimate venues, their music is also incredibly invigorating in open-air settings. "Ab-rah" is a live favorite, with its cascading notes stimulating the mind and body, perfect for staying active. It's sure to make cooking feel more energetic.

4:00 PM
Starting to get hungry, so it's time to prepare for the evening barbecue. While chopping plenty of vegetables and meat—

no entry - "Waking"

no entry, a six-piece band, has performed at numerous festivals and events in remote and outdoor locations, including Fuji Rock last year. They create organic sounds with a variety of instruments, captivating fans of jam, reggae, and dance music. "Waking" is one of their signature tracks that energizes live audiences, with its upbeat rhythm and euphoric vocals that make you want to move. It's perfect for getting into the cooking groove.

9:00 PM
The climax of the camp: the campfire. Gazing at the flickering flames with someone special—

The Album Leaf - "The Light"

The Album Leaf, an American post-rock artist, released their first full album in six years, "Between Waves," this past August and is set to tour Japan in February. They captivated electronic music fans at the legendary METAMORPHOSE '08 festival with the power of their instrumental performances and their commanding stage presence. "The Light," along with "Window" from their previous album, is a deeply moving masterpiece that resonates with Japanese sensibilities. It's perfect for a quiet, reflective listen on a serene camping night.

The next morning, 6:00 AM
Second day of camping. In the early morning mountains, listening to the sounds of birds, insects, and the babbling brook—

Alejandro Franov - "La Poblacion"

Alejandro Franov, a leading figure in Argentinian ambient music, is even called the "fairy of sound." Much like Ryuichi Sakamoto in Japan, he is a highly acclaimed musician. Throughout his extensive career, he has released music in various styles. "La Poblacion" is the perfect track for morning yoga. Listening to the album "CHAMPAQUI" with your eyes closed will make you feel as if you are immersed in nature. Of course, listening to it in real nature will offer an even more spiritual experience.

Nao Asakura
Born in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo. After graduating from university, she worked in advertising sales for the fashion magazine "marie claire," at a record company, and as an editor for a women's magazine before becoming a freelancer after childbirth. She is involved in editing, writing, and PR. She writes primarily about culture, food, and travel, and handles PR for electronic music. During her student years, she traveled to 28 countries and hitchhiked across Japan.