A song that makes me feel anxious
Long Song of New Century by Asian Kung-Fu Generation is a song that will hold a special place in my heart. I would say both the lyrics and the melody as well as the official MV explores this existential dread and loneliness everyone faces.
The first time I played the song, the repeated drum beats and the electric guitar sound made me very uncomfortable and anxious. But I feel it is very much intentional and it is supposed to nuance you and make you feel this dread. Even the way Gotoh-san (the vocalist) sings makes me feel somewhat heavy.
Then, the melody totally changes midway turning into somewhat hopeful as if you're moving towards something. It was 😽 (chef-kiss *).
AKG's songs always felt like poems to me. They are the only Japanese band I can sing along well because each word is very clearly and separately pronounced.
If you love Japanese songs and haven't listened to it, give it a try. It's a very good song.