Jyocho Explained

Background:group_or_band
Jyocho
Years Active:2016–present
Label:Topshelf Records
Current Members:
  • Daijiro Nakagawa (vocals, guitar)
  • Netako Nekota (vocals, keyboards)
  • Sindee (bass)
  • Yuuki Hayashi (flute)
  • Kojiro Yamazaki (drums)
Past Members:
  • Rionos (vocals)
  • Hatch (drums)

is a Japanese progressive and math rock band.

History

Following the disbandment of Daijiro Nakagawa's previous band Uchu Conbini, he initially began Jyocho as a solo project with support from other musicians. He eventually decided to work with them more closely and include them in a band. Nakagawa intended the group to have their debut performance in 2016 at the Canadian tour of Next Music from Tokyo, where he had previously appeared with Uchu Conbini. However, vocalist Rionos was unwilling to perform. The band eventually performed in October 2017 with the vocalist Nekota Netako.

In January 2023, the band's song "As the Gods Say" was featured as the opening theme of and appeared on an extended play (EP) of the same title. The song "Guide and Devote", from the EP of the same title, featured as the closing theme of the second season of Banished from the Hero's Party in Janaury 2024.

Reception

Akiho Minami, writing for, described a 2019 live performance by the band as "intense" and at times akin to "madness". However, she appreciated the high level of technical proficiency displayed by the players, ultimately concluding that the band had a promising career ahead of them. The band's 2022 album Let's Promise to Be Happy was acclaimed by Anime News Network reviewer Nicholas Dupree, who appreciated Nakagawa's skill for guitar riffs as well as the overall "atmosphere" provided by the other performers. He also higlighted the record's "contemplative and melancholy" themes, commending the band's execution of the tone, which he described as "subtle but precise".