Grim – Message LP white vinyl LP (Urashima)

Grim is the solo endeavor of Jun Konagaya, emerging from the remnants of White Hospital, his iconic noise duo from the early 1980s alongside Tomosada Kuwahara. Spanning nearly three decades, Grim has navigated the realms of industrial music, power electronics, and noise. Positioned within the initial wave of Japanese noise, Konagaya distinguishes himself by drawing inspiration from sources beyond his immediate circle, channeling influences from acts like Whitehouse and SPK, as well as eclectic reference points such as the traditional folk music of Tibet.

The 1987 EP Message is a pivotal release within Grim's discography, part of a trio of works from the 1980s, alongside the full-length Folk Music (1986, Eskimo Records) and the EP Amaterasu (1985, Eskimo Records/G.A. Propaganda). While the preceding releases align with expectations for a seminal figure in Japanese noise, Message diverges onto a unique path. With its six songs, the EP ventures into pop and folk territories, evoking comparisons to Daniel Johnson, Syd Barrett, Sebadoh, and Tenniscoats. It unfolds like a stroll through an ancient fairy tale forest—hazy, magical, and slightly eerie. Dreamy and meandering, drawing from '60s psychedelia, DIY aesthetics, and folk influences, Grim's Message stands as a masterpiece of underground Japanese pop. It boldly advances while challenging the boundaries of its predominant scene. Following the original 1987 release, Konagaya explored diverse paths outside the sonic realm, later resuming a prolific career in more explicit noise territories. Message retained its status as a sought-after, rare artifact, offering a glimpse into the varied talents and moods underlying Konagaya's oeuvre.