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While the overdriven sounds of grunge or shoegaze may have been driven toward classic rock radio in favor of other sounds or genres, that alt-rock miasma certainly has its share of admirers the world over. Case in point: Hitsujibungaku, a heavily amplified trio from Tokyo who, aside from the lyrics, have a sound that wouldn't have seemed out of place on Sub Pop or Matador in the 1990s.

The band was founded in 2011 by singer/guitarist Moeka Shiotsuka when she was still in high school. ("Hitsujibungaku" translates to "sheep language," a reference to indie J-rock band Sleeping Rag Sheep and Moeka's love of writing meaningful lyrics.) The oft-changing lineup soon started to take shape in 2015, when long-haired drummer Hiroa Fukuda joined the band. Bassist Yurika Kasai joined in 2017, having been a fan since both of them shared a bill at a local festival.

Hitsujibungaku's debut EP, Tonneru Wo Nuketara, ("after passing through the tunnel") was released that same year and featured the catchy single "Step," which was also included on 2018's Dear Youth, their first proper full-length. Subsequent singles and EPs like "1999," A Short Trip to the Orange-Chocolate-House (2018), and Kirameki (2019) found the band honing their melodic style further, crafting hooks that certainly could have fit on Western college radio. After the release of their second album, 2020's Powers, the trio enjoyed a classic Japanese musical rite of passage: their first theme song for an anime series, "Hikaru Toki," which opened the 2021 historical epic series The Heike Story. The song later appeared on the group's third album, 2022's Our Hope.

When Hitsujibungaku released 12 Hugs (Like Butterflies) in 2023 -- which featured another anime theme ("More Than Words," an original from the fantasy series Jujutsu Kaisen) -- it was easy to notice an even greater shift into the sonic aesthetics of '90s alternative. The guitar tones were grungier, but it was all offset by appealing melodies and harmonies. The band stayed busy into 2024, even with the temporary hiatus of drummer Hiroa. In a humorous full-circle moment, the group issued a cover of "Life's a Treat," the theme to the British animated series Shaun the Sheep, as well as another well-received anime theme ("Burning," from the series Oshi no Ko). ~ Mike Duquette