Last Updated on 2025-09-30 by a-indie
Two-piece band flip-flops, based between Hokkaido and Tokyo, has announced the release of their 5th album ‘catch me up’ on October 15.
This latest work further evolves the “far-east emo” concept established in their previous album, featuring alternative tunings on all tracks and incorporating songs that blend Japanese and English lyrics.
An exclusive preview held in the Discord community operated by BELONG Media / A-indie has generated excitement, with listeners who heard the new tracks early describing them as having “an atmosphere like a nostalgic summer afternoon.”
Additionally, a live performance has been confirmed for November 23 at Kichijoji daydream.
About flip-flops
flip-flops is known for their prolific output, having released 5 albums in the 3 years since they began activities in 2022, and has gained approximately 3,000 monthly listeners.
The “far-east emo” concept proclaimed in their previous album ‘the pure simulation, with no hesitation, no imitation’ positions their work as East Asian “emo” in contrast to the US-originated genre “midwest emo.”
New Album ‘catch me up’ Pushes “far-east emo” Further
This latest work ‘catch me up’ takes this concept even further, introducing unprecedented new approaches and aggressive arrangements. It is completed as a work that pours everything they are capable of at this point in time.
Lead Track “super close” Blends Japanese and English
While the previous album’s lyrics were mostly composed in English, this album’s lead track “super close” features lyrics that blend Japanese and English.
When reconsidering the meaning of expressing and sublimating a US-originated music genre in Japan, incorporating their native Japanese language felt like a natural choice.
This is intended to make the work more naturally accessible to domestic listeners compared to previous works, while simultaneously providing a fresh sound to those who don’t speak Japanese as their first language.
Exclusive Preview in Discord Community
BELONG Media / A-indie recently launched a Discord server and operates a community gathering approximately 40 listeners from Japan and abroad.
This work, which became the first exclusive preview within the Discord community, was conducted only for trusted members.
By utilizing a URL shortening service with trackable distribution links, they are building close relationships with fans while minimizing the risk of public leaks.
This time, an exclusive preview was held for the lead track “super close” and the album’s first track “polyblue” from ‘catch me up’.
Feedback from Community Members
Community members who listened to the exclusive preview shared the following comments:
“polyblue”: It’s like emo occasionally peeks at you from within the quietness…🤔 Before I knew it, I had played it many times🎧
“polyblue”: Another wonderful expression of guitar work. The instrumental lines leading to the vocals are playful and complement each other very well. I loved the way the guitar comes in during the chorus section, it immediately caught my attention! The vocals flow freely and gently, with much less processing than super close, which creates a more intimate feeling. I loved it!
“polyblue”: After hearing the intro, I predicted it would be another fast-paced song (I also thought it felt like “Kimi no Machi Made”), so I was surprised by the unexpected song style, yet the constantly looping guitar was very comfortable to listen to.
This range is so flip-flops!
Sound Evolution Through Alternative Tunings on All Tracks
A major characteristic of this work is that alternative tunings are used on all tracks.
Not only the lyrics and melodies but also the sound has undergone a major evolution, with the guitar and bass sounds, as well as the phrases, being even more refined than the previous album.
Release Details
5th Album ‘catch me up’
Release Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2024
Lead Single “super close”
Release Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2024
View on bandcamp
Live Information
flip-flops live 2025
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Venue: Kichijoji daydream
Doors: 15:30 Show: 16:00
With: Clovers High, Lana, Pono
Ticket: ¥2,500
Ticket Reservation: Click here🔗
Your “favorite” might become someone else’s “gateway”🎶 Join here⏩ https://discord.gg/fjzp9Hjt
Writer: Tomohiro Yabe (yabori)
Editor-in-Chief of BELONG Media/A-indie. Since 2010, has been writing for the music blog “Timeless Masterpieces,” which became the predecessor to BELONG.
After writing for “only in dreams,” hosted by Masafumi Gotoh, vocalist of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, studied Music Business at a music vocational school.
Has written articles about Japanese and international music for over 10 years.
Previously worked at a music CD rental shop with over 100,000 album titles, handling garage rock, psychedelic rock, and Japanese indie rock sections.
Utilizing these experiences, published 26 issues of the music magazine “BELONG Magazine” themed around “roots rock.”
Currently writes articles based on SEO strategies learned at a web production company. Hobby is watching “Kaiun! Nandemo Kantei-dan” (a Japanese antiques appraisal TV show).
All articles written so far can be found here
Twitter: @boriboriyabori
About BELONG Media/A-indie
BELONG Media is an indie music media outlet that started in 2012. We cover indie music from around the world, including Japan and overseas. In 2021, we appeared as a guest on J-WAVE’s “SONAR MUSIC.” In 2022, we launched “A-indie,” an English-language sister site focusing on Asian music.
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- Contact regarding this matter: BELONG Media/A-indie Email: [belongmagazine1967＠gmail.com](Please change “＠” to “@”)
- is a music media platform run by BELONG, a Japanese music organization. We publish music articles with a focus on indie music.