The HighLows’ 青春: A Raw, Unfiltered Punch to the Gut
Let’s get one thing straight—this ain’t your polished, overproduced rock album. The HighLows’ 青春 (Seishun), released in 2000 under Kitty Records, is a gritty, unapologetic dive into Japan’s alternative and indie rock scene. It’s messy, it’s loud, and damn, does it hit hard. If you’re looking for something safe or predictable, keep walking. This record will chew you up and spit you out.
First off, let’s talk about “魔羅 ’69” because holy hell, that track doesn’t mess around. From the opening riff, it grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. The guitar work? Razor-sharp. The vocals? Raw as fuck. You can feel every ounce of frustration and energy bleeding through the speakers. It’s not just a song—it’s an experience. I remember blasting this on repeat late at night, windows down, pissing off my neighbors. Worth it? Absolutely. That track sticks with you like a bad tattoo—ugly but unforgettable.
Then there’s the title track, “青春.” Man, this one hits different. It’s slower, sure, but don’t mistake that for softness. There’s a weight to it, like nostalgia wrapped in barbed wire. The lyrics are cryptic enough to make you think, but the emotion punches through without needing translation. Every time I hear it, I’m reminded of being young, dumb, and reckless—the kind of reckless that feels invincible until it doesn’t. It’s haunting, man. Haunting in the best way possible.
What makes 青春 stand out isn’t just its sound—it’s the attitude. These guys weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel; they were too busy smashing it to pieces. Alternative rock meets indie sensibilities, all filtered through a distinctly Japanese lens. Sure, some parts feel rough around the edges, but that’s what makes it real. It’s not perfect, but who wants perfect? Perfect is boring.
Here’s the kicker though—listening to this album now feels almost... prophetic. Like they knew back then what we’d need two decades later: music that doesn’t hold back, that reminds us life is messy and wild and worth fighting for. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it. Either way, 青春 isn’t just an album—it’s a gut punch you didn’t know you needed.
So yeah, crank it up. Piss off your neighbors. Let The HighLows remind you what real rock sounds like. And hey, if anyone asks why you’re headbanging to Japanese alt-rock from 2000, just tell ‘em: “It’s not noise—it’s art.”
