There is something quietly powerful happening in the music of Shake My Days. The Kyoto-based indie pop duo has been steadily building an international following with a sound that feels both nostalgic and completely of the moment. Their songs are gentle, emotionally open, and wrapped in melodies that linger long after the final note. It’s time to dive into their world and see what the music of this rising indie rock band is all about.
Photo: PALMTONE RECORDS
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Shake My Days is made up of Mitsuki, whose soft and expressive vocals are at the heart of their sound, and Showky Saezawa, who handles guitar, keyboards, songwriting, and production. Together, they create music that is easy to listen to but hard to forget. Their style draws from British indie rock, Japanese city pop, and classic pop structures. But more than any specific influence, their songs stand out because they feel personal. Their recent releases tell small stories with big feelings. “Cider At Dusk” is a perfect example. The track sounds like a summer evening that you do not want to end. It is bright and wistful at the same time, filled with shimmering guitar lines and a melody that feels like it is remembering something important. There is a youthful energy in the song, but also a quiet sadness, like someone looking back even as they move forward.
Their song “Rambling” takes a different approach. It is softer and slower, almost hesitant in its delivery. The lyrics feel like they were written in the middle of a conversation that never quite finished. It is about those moments that hang in the air, where something could have happened but didn’t. It has this nostalgic feel over it that reminds you of home.
In “Waiting At Triangle Park”, the band leans into imagery that feels familiar even if you have never been to the place they are singing about. The song paints a picture of someone waiting in a small-town park, unsure if the person they are waiting for will ever arrive. It is simple and tender, with a quiet kind of drama that plays out in silence and stillness rather than action.
Then there is “Without Knowing Anything?”, possibly their most emotionally raw song so far. It speaks to the space between people who care about each other but cannot quite connect. The lyrics are full of subtle pain and deep feeling. The guitar work is clean and understated, letting the emotion carry the song. It is a track that resonates because it refuses to over-explain. It just tells the truth.
Shake My Days has released two full albums so far, Isostasy and Solenoid, and they are currently preparing a third album which will serve as a curated introduction for international listeners. They have already begun to gain attention abroad, with their videos attracting tens of thousands of views in Europe and Latin America. Media outlets from France to Uganda have started to take notice, and it feels like only a matter of time before even more people discover what they are doing!
In a music world that often rewards the loudest voices, Shake My Days offers something different. Their songs are quiet, thoughtful, and emotionally grounded. They do not chase trends or try to be bigger than they are. Instead, they focus on writing music that feels real. For listeners who appreciate subtlety, storytelling, and the kind of songs that slowly work their way under your skin, this band is worth your time. Shake My Days might not shout for your attention, but once you let them in, their music stays with you.
AloJapan.com