Formed in June 2020 in Tokyo, RetroRiron (レトロリロン) has quickly risen from an indie act to one of Japan’s most promising new bands. With viral hits like “Restart?” on Spotify’s Viral Chart and the long-running YouTube favorite “Shinya 6ji”, their music has captured the emotions of a generation navigating uncertainty. By 2025, they had performed at major festivals like COUNTDOWN JAPAN, sold out live house tours across the country, and announced their major debut with Polydor Records (Universal Music Japan). At the heart of their success lies a unique blend of “genreless” sound and lyrics rooted in the philosophy of living not for “tomorrow,” but for “today.”
Members
RetroRiron’s identity is inseparable from the diverse backgrounds of its four members:
- Suzune (涼音) – Vocals & Guitar
Originally a solo singer-songwriter and recording engineer, Suzune brings deeply personal, introspective lyrics and a soulful voice to the band. Influenced by John Mayer’s acoustic style and artists like Nagisa Kuroki, her songwriting often begins as an impulsive outpouring, later shaped collaboratively with the band. - Taiki Nagayama (永山タイキ) – Drums
With a background in jazz drumming, Nagayama provides both precision and drive. His entry into the band was spontaneous — he once drunkenly asked Suzune to form a band and barely remembered the next day. His rhythmic complexity and live interplay with Suzune inject RetroRiron’s shows with dynamic energy. - miri – Keyboards
Classically trained in piano and orchestration, miri adds unpredictable depth to the band’s sound. From flowing piano solos to horn arrangements, her background in classical and orchestral composition brings grandeur and versatility, ensuring that no two RetroRiron songs sound alike. - Kazuaki Iinuma (飯沼一暁) – Bass
A former classical pianist who switched to bass in high school, Iinuma originally joined the band as a fan of Suzune. His groovy, elastic bass lines form the backbone of RetroRiron’s danceable rhythms. His dedication is evident in his co-development of a custom five-string bass with HISTORY, proving his pursuit of both technical craft and expressive sound.
Together, these four musicians create a sonic “hot pot” — sometimes chaotic, but ultimately powerful in its fusion.
Lyrics and Philosophy – Living for “Today”
RetroRiron’s guiding concept is simple yet radical: “Live today, not tomorrow.” In a music landscape crowded with songs about dreams and hope, RetroRiron insists that despair in the present cannot be erased by distant ideals. Their lyrics embrace resignation, social struggle, and inner conflict, but their arrangements transform this darkness into catharsis.
The trilogy of EPs reflects this evolving philosophy:
- Inner Dialog explores self-conversation.
- Lonely Paradox questions how to face society after that inner dialogue.
- Another Diversity contemplates how to live authentically within community.
This progression mirrors Suzune’s personal growth and the band’s journey from initial imbalance to a unified, yet still diverse, identity.
The Sound – A Genreless Fusion
Although often called a “pop band,” RetroRiron defies categorization. Their live sets may shift from ragtime to city pop, from funk rock to fusion jazz, often within a single performance. The darkness of Suzune’s lyrics collides with bright, pop-infused arrangements shaped freely by her bandmates. This deliberate contrast embodies their message: life is resignation and struggle, but also joy and forward momentum.
Examples include the syncopated drum-and-bass drive of “Countdown Rag” and the buoyant groove of “Headliner”, where Iinuma’s bass leads a danceable rhythm. These songs demonstrate how their eclectic roots blend seamlessly into accessible yet layered pop.
Live Performances – Building a Community of “TOMODACHI”
RetroRiron’s concerts are more than reproductions of studio recordings — they are shared experiences. Stages are often decorated like living rooms, complete with bookshelves and plants, inviting fans into their intimate world. Between songs, members engage in candid, humorous talk sessions, showing their unpolished selves.
Most notably, they call their fans “TOMODACHI” (friends). While the word carries a playful irony — Suzune once admitted, “I don’t have friends, so it’s ironic to use that word” — it has been embraced by fans, turning live venues into communal spaces where loneliness dissolves into collective energy. In these spaces, call-and-response and sing-alongs are not gimmicks but vital ways for fans to embody the music’s message: to take one step forward, together, today.
Recognition and Major Debut
RetroRiron’s career trajectory is proof of their staying power. “Restart?” appeared in Spotify’s Early Noise 2022 chart, and “Shinya 6ji” achieved long-term resonance online and on USEN airplay. They ranked in Nippon TV’s Buzz Rhythm 02: Artists to Buzz in 2024, were spotlighted in MUSICA, and in 2025 were chosen for Spotify RADAR: Early Noise 2025.
Their major debut with Polydor Records (Universal Music Japan) was announced at a packed EX Theater Roppongi show in April 2025. This move is not just about scaling up, but about realizing Suzune’s vision: leading RetroRiron and their TOMODACHI to the arena stage.
Conclusion – The New Face of Japanese Pop
RetroRiron’s rise shows that authenticity, diversity, and empathy can carve a place in Japan’s competitive pop scene. By weaving together disparate musical roots and refusing to sugarcoat the darkness of modern life, they deliver music that is both relatable and liberating. Their message is not about distant dreams but about survival, support, and shared presence in the here and now.
With a major label debut underway, RetroRiron stands ready to become not just a band, but a movement — the voice of a generation living “today.”
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