Notes on Taiwanese Indie Music
Since leaving Taiwan, I’ve delved into the island’s indie music scene, taking recommendations mainly from PTT (Taiwan’s Reddit equivalent), my friend Yang Lee, and the Spotify algorithm. The selections I’ve listed below are eclectic, ranging from siren-like female vocals over jazz piano to poppy, guitar-heavy satire of Japanese magical girl anime. Taiwan’s alternative scene is not merely derivative of Japan’s, the West’s, or anywhere else’s—the music is creative and unique, reminding me of the enormity and potential of what’s still out there to discover.
Note: Translations are mine. Search for songs using the Chinese name if available. I made a Spotify playlist with every song in this reflection, plus many more.
Hello Nico
Hello Nico is not a loud band, but their songs are no less powerful because of it. The lyrics take the form of recollections, looking doubtfully at past decisions. Their lead singer’s soft voice makes for good “sad” music, but they have lots of optimistic music that is at least as good. Selections:
Flower/Hua 花 is a slow, apologetic contemplation of what could have been, had the speaker not unintentionally hurt Hua (a pet name for the subject). Spotify, YouTube
Unfamiliar Room, Unfamiliar Afternoon 陌生的房間陌生的下午 describes the pain of naively continuing an unreciprocated love. Spotify, YouTube
Facing Yourself 面向自己 exemplifies “breathiness” in Taiwanese music (which is popular in the Japanese scene) and intelligently uses myriad color and light-based metaphors to describe the uniqueness of the speaker’s romantic interest. Spotify, YouTube
Iruka Porisu (aka Dolphin Police, イルカポリス, 海豚刑警)
Iruka Porisu’s 2019 album Call Me When Night Go Blue is one of my favorites of 2023. Songs effortlessly mesh the lead singer Wuyue’s (伍悅) siren-like voice, intense guitar solos, and unconventional instruments such as a kid’s piano. Their music, lyrics, social media profiles, and videos embody youth—irreverent, chaotic, and joyful—and remind me to enjoy mine while it lasts. Check out their music videos, which I’ve linked below.
Selections:
Lights of Anping 安平之光 describes blithely riding a Vespa around Anping, Tainan (a city in the south of Taiwan), away from depressing Taipei. Spotify, Youtube
Tell Me I Was in Your Dream 當ㄋ沉睡ㄉ時候告訴婐ㄋ夢到ㄌ婐 is an enthralling song about love and longing in a relationship with a pessimist. Spotify, YouTube, YouTube acoustic
Young Folks Die Late (original song title is in English) is full of harmonic tension and discusses the previous night’s sexual partner for misunderstanding the speaker. Spotify, YouTube
Badminton Youth 羽球少年 describes the speaker’s romantic frustrations with men, women, and the available partners in her environment, especially those available on Tinder. Spotify, YouTube
Elephant Gym (大象體操)
Within my first month in Taiwan, shortly after discovering Elephant Gym on PTT, I saw them perform at an annual memorial concert that raises awareness for the 228 Incident, an anti-government uprising in 1948 that was violently suppressed by the Chiang Kai-shek regime. Recently, they’ve skyrocketed in popularity in the West and have even been selected as the cover image for Spotify’s global math rock playlist. The trio expertly combines melodies with polyrhythms on guitar, base, and drums, and sometimes even adds in female vocals. Words rarely appear on tracks, and when they do, they are sparing. Hence, I have omitted descriptions of lyrics for this artist.
They’re currently on their World Tour. If anyone is interested in seeing the Los Angeles or San Francisco shows, I have tickets to both.
Selections:
Sweet John (甜約翰)
Sweet John makes love songs that are introverted in character and content. The music is largely absent of the hysteria and bold proclamations typical of the genre, an interviewer noted in early 2020. Their lyrics instead provide a more realistic treatment of feelings like the anxiety inherent to an ambiguous relationship and of falling out of love in a relationship.
Selections:
The Chance of Rainfall 降雨機率 has gotten universal acclaim from everyone I’ve shown it to thus far. “Why can’t Americans make more songs like this?” was my dad’s reaction. Its jazz-inspired instrumentals are as strong as its duet vocals and makes a great introduction to this genre. Spotify, YouTube
Safety Limit 安全範圍 weaves dramatic guitar riffs and drum rhythms together with a violin part and the singers’ more delicate voices. Spotify, YouTube
Spark Fades 容易被厭倦的時刻 ponders the longevity of the speaker’s relationship with his significant other. It begins simply with vocals and piano but gradually evolves into an intense guitar and drum-driven climax. Spotify, YouTube