Aruku Around cover

Aruku Around

Sakanaction · 2010

28 min · 4 tracks · J-pop

A vibrant blend of electronic beats and indie rock textures, infused with a distinctly Japanese pop sensibility.

Top tracks — play these first

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    アルクアラウンド — The title track exemplifies the album's energetic fusion of electronic music and rock, serving as a perfect introduction to Sakanaction's sound evolution.
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    スプーンと汗 — This track features intricate rhythms and an infectious melody that encapsulates the band's distinctive approach to songwriting and arrangement.
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    ネイティブダンサー (rei harakami へっぽこre-arrange) — Offering a reimagined take on one of their earlier tracks, this version highlights the band's growth while paying homage to their roots within the electronic genre.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks full cohesion due to its varied track styles.

What we noticed

  • The first track opens with a driving electronic beat that sets a high energy level, which is maintained through the second track before shifting to a more subdued arrangement in the third.
  • Each of the first three tracks incorporates layered instrumentation, with prominent guitar lines and synths complementing the vocals.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Established Sakanaction's reputation in the J-pop landscape with its innovative sound.
Themes
neon-lit nightlife· dance floor connections
Career context
Released on January 13, 2010, Aruku Around marked Sakanaction's third studio album, following their acclaimed release Documentaly in 2008. At this point in their career, the band had begun to solidify their reputation for blending various genres, including J-pop and electro, setting the stage for their mainstream breakthrough.
Stylistic neighbors
Cornelius· Kyary Pamyu Pamyu· Nujabes

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 アルクアラウンド 4:26
  • 2 スプーンと汗 3:19
  • 3 ネイティブダンサー (rei harakami へっぽこre-arrange) 6:13
  • 4 "FISH ALIVE chapter 2" 1 sequence by 3 songs - SAKANAQUARIUM 2009 @SAPPORO (ネイティブダンサー〜セントレイ〜アドベンチャー) 14:10

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata