While less heralded than Beijing, Shanghai boasts a robust and eclectic music scene. Despite the city's constant influx and exodus of people, this year has offered a boon of releases from remixed metal to straight-up Mandopop and everything in between. Discover your new favorite local band in this chronological five-part series.
The Machinery of Other Skeletons: Beyonder/Static Fades/57471C F4D3Z
Released: Dec 23/July 10/Sep 14
Buy the album: Bandcamp
Follow: Facebook
Style: Metal/Metal (remixed)
Over the years, Ivan Belcic has been a staple in the city's music community. When his much-missed death-pop duo Death to Giants broke up a couple years ago, Belcic picked up the mic and started this heavy metal quintet. In under two years, they have released two original EPs of nasty riffs, including this summer's Static Fades. The group has also reached out to staples in the city's electronic underground like Nahash, MIIA and DJ Caution for remixed versions collected on Beyonder and 57571C F4D3Z.
The Other: 1983/Burno Inferno Live
Released: Dec 29/May 18
Buy the album: Bandcamp
Follow: Douban
Style: Noise
It's been a fantastic year for the city's noise scene with the experimental-rockers kicking things off with their 1983 EP. The duo of Ray Dam Nenn and Adam bury driving basslines under distorted guitars, garbled vocals and otherworldly synths to create glacial menace. On Burning Inferno Live, they bring their sound to life capturing one of their shows at Inferno, which since reopening has served as a vital venue for the city's younger and noisier acts.
Mr. Trouble: Nice
Released: Dec 31
Buy the album: Soundcloud, Douban
Style: Hip hop
Released on New Year's Eve, Nice may be the best full-length Shanghai album this year (so far). The self-described "nerd" has dropped this 21-track opus highlighting his impresive rap and production skills. Unabashedly melodic, Mr. Trouble talks tough on single '羊头肉' (see below), goes smooth on '你嫌命太长' and roars over the electronic pings he had built up over five minutes of 'Roses (Raw).' An exciting addition to China's hip hop scene, which has quietly enjoyed a reinvigorating couple of years.
No VPN? Watch on Youku.
Hamacide + ChaCha: 30 Hours
Released: Jan 2
Buy the album: Bandcamp
Follow: Hamacide (Facebook, Douban) and ChaCha (Facebook, Douban)
Style: Chillwave
Two years in the making, the two Subculture Shanghai favorites have linked up for this ethereal EP. Now based in Tokyo, Hamacide has produced his most chill beats allowing AM444's ChaCha to coo over tracks like 'Annie Gun' and '期待相遇 [Qídài Xiāngyù].' It was a busy year for the Guizhou born singer, who indulged her more wilder side on AM444's Dark Show, but more on that later.
SNH48: Give Me Five!
Released: Jan 15
Buy the album: Xiami
Follow the band: Facebook, official website
Style: Pop
This idol group is part of AKB48's pop monolith and the second sister-group to exist outside of Japan while following creator Yasushi Akimoto's concept of "idols you can meet." With members constanly replenishing every year through fan voiting, this itineration of SNH48 has enjoyed a strong year with performances at Strawberry Music Festival and at Shanghai Grand Stage. They've released a slew of EPs starting with the bubbly 'Give Me Five!' Sneer at them all you want, but there aren't too many Mando-pop groups that serve as their own band, as this live performance shows.
No VPN? Watch on Youku.
Torturing Nurse: All Bastards +
Released: Jan 19
Buy the album: Bandcamp
Style: Noise
And now for something completely different. For over a decade, Junky and friends have been on an odyssey to create the harshest noise possible. Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore is a fan (although the Shanghai group is less than impressed) and they linked up with the UK-based Cruel Nature Recordings for this cassette release. They've been playing regularly at Inferno and did a split release with Apparatus 1 for the new Shanghai label Bipolar Records.
Various Artists: We Are Shanghai IV
Released: Jan 21
Buy the album: Bandcamp
Follow: Bandcamp
Style: Compilation
Shanghai doesn't have too many rock traditions, but you can count on this compilation being released near the end of January accompanied with a raucous live show comprised of local favorites. Designed to provide a snapshot of the city's music scene, artists are invited to submit a track for inclusion. This edition is the biggest yet, spilling over 42 tracks ranging from hardcore (Running Red Lights) to rock opera (The Illumin8ers). For more, check out organizers Ivan Belcic and Michael Herd's 5 Things on how to get started on the music scene.
For more Sounds of Shanghai, check out: Part Two, Part Three, Part Four and Part Five.
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