Self-described “Tokyo Neo Gazer” outfit The Floatings were supposed to be releasing their debut full-length Flowering today, but last week announced that “Due to production circumstances, the release of our 1st Album “Flowering” will be postponed” to a date TBA. This was disappointing as the band had done quite a good job of building anticipation with their first few singles, the last of which – last August’s “夏再来/The Girl and The Heron” – will also be appearing on the record, whenever it drops.

But to make up for it, somewhat, the first two songs from the record were released as a single today. They already shared the second of them, “Lily”, as a demo version on their Bandcamp last September, and the finished album version was already released as a music video a month ago. They also shared the behind-the-scenes pics of the video shoot in an Instagram post at the same time, so not really trying to keep this tune under wraps.

And as a get-to-know-the-band, there’s a short interview with them as a bio on their Apple Music page. Google Translate is your friend. And on the topic of influences, their Instagram has hosted a few sweet covers of such lately, with stripped down versions of songs by Kinoko Teikoku and Hitsujibungaku on offer. File under: RIYL.

Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail.

現体制での活動開始前夜、slowdive来日公演をメンバーで観に行った時。各々の持ち寄った音楽的ルーツに依る漠然としたサウンドイメージに、一つ大きな基軸が生まれ、目指す方向性が固まった。

What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums on Apple Music, and why? Why did you choose these three albums in particular?

ART-SCHOOL, BOYS DON’T CRY

破滅的な演奏と美しい歌詞のバランスが、張り詰めた独自の世界観を作り出しているから。

Kinoko Teikoku, フェイクワールドワンダーランド

国産シューゲイザーの傑作としてだけでなく、メジャーとアンダーグラウンドの垣根を超えた、いつ聴き返しても普遍的に響く作品だから。

Slowdive, everything is alive

活動の基軸を形作ったアルバムだから。