Japanese band Billyrrom throw it back and keep it smooth with “Mirror Ball”

Billyrrom are a new Japanese band on the scene, who released their single “Mirror Ball” at the beginning of October. I could talk all about who they are and stuff and eventually, I will. But for now at least, why do that when you could just listen to one of their songs and have that tell you enough of what you need to know about this group?

These vibes? Yes bitch. I really like how you can hear the throwback elements of Billyrrom’s sound, yet they still have that energy of a young, current Japanese band. It’s really cool.

I know it’s never gonna happen, but I really want BoA on a remix of this. The whole sound and vibe of this song is right up her alley.

Billyrrom - Mirror Ball | Universal Music

Billyrrom is a six-piece band from Tokyo who have been active since 2020. I am so curious to hear what the first couple of years for this band was like. Because, what was it like to be a new band in the year of Kumi KOVID!? Billyrrom is made up of vocalist Rin, DJ Yuta Haara, guitarist and lyricist Rin, bassist Taiseiwatabiki, drummer Shunsuke and keyboardist Leno. Despite releasing music for the past 6 years, only this year were they signed to a major label — with “Mirror Ball” marking their third single release under Universal Sigma, the same label that Fujii Kaze is signed to. And “Mirror Ball” is a good reflection of their general sound — which touches on soul, funk and disco.

Billyrrom - Mirror Ball | Universal Music

The Shōwa Kayo Boom is real. And I think it’s really cool that we’re seeing newer artists (and some established artists too) really latching onto it, and that city pop and kayōkyoku are making comebacks in Japan. It feels like a rare instance where a Japanese style of music is growing in popularity within Japan at the same time it’s experiencing a surge in popularity globally, which is feeding back into the popularity of it in Japan. You see it reflected in things like entire city pop sections in record stores, hiked up prices of certain albums (Takako Mamiya’s Love Trip), record labels re-releasing albums (Mariya Takeuchi’s Variety and Tomoko Aran’s Fuyü-Kükan), artists being hit-up to record themes for popular franchises (Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Onomatope Island” for Pokemon), artists going back on tours with North American dates (Anri and Taeko Onuki) and other artists being invited to Tiny Desks (EPO).

Billyrrom - Mirror Ball | Universal Music

Billyrrom’s debut album P‘i’ctus was released at the end of October and I will be reviewing it. Lawd, knows when that review will drop. Maybe in 2028. But it will.