muque

Overview

muque (pronounced "Muku") is a Japanese rock band formed in Fukuoka in May 2022. They began as a four-piece and now perform as a trio on the A.S.A.B label, working within J-POP and Japanese indie. Each member brings different musical roots, and the band is known for songs inspired by pop, R&B and rock. The name combines the French word "musique" with the Japanese word "muku" (innocence), reflecting a wish to keep making the music they want without being swayed by others.

Career

Before forming, the members played in separate bands. Bassist Lenon took the lead in approaching Asakura (vocals, guitar) and takachi (drums, track-making), whose talent he had noticed in their university light music club days, and the band formed in May 2022. In the early days they focused on songwriting rather than live shows.

• June 2022: One month after forming, they released their first single "escape" and drew attention in Fukuoka's music scene.
• December 2022: They released the six-track EP "tape", which was selected for Spotify's "RADAR: Early Noise" and "Kirakira Pop Japan" playlists.
• 2023: Live activity went into full swing from spring. They released "TIME" in June, "456" on November 1 and "Design" on November 22. On December 15 they held their first self-organized event, "muque presents PLAYPARK", at ADRIFT in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, alongside Kubota Kai and Mega Shinnosuke, among others.
• 2024: They released "456 (takachi Remix)" in February, "Bite you" in March and "desert." in May. The July single "nevermind" was used as an insert song in the drama "Subarashiki Kana, Sensei!". After "jabber" in September, their first full-length album "Dungeon" arrived in October, followed by a five-venue national tour. The album blends UK garage, 2-step, city pop and other styles.
• 2025: In January they began their first regular radio show, "muque Dungeon Radio", on FM Fukuoka (running until March 2026). They announced the ten-stop "MUQUE TOUR 2025 'RIDE ON!'" and released "cheers" (March), "The 1" (April), "DOPE!" (June), "Level up" (August) and "bestie" (December). Their popularity also grew in Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia. Bassist Lenon left the band at the end of 2025.
• 2026: The single "DARK GAME" was released in February.

Members

• Asakura: vocals, guitar; from Fukuoka. Mainly writes lyrics and melody lines.
• takachi: drums, track-making; from Fukuoka. Also handles production and arrangement.
• Kenichi: guitar; from Nagasaki. Initially a support member, he later joined officially. Live, he is known for hard rock and loud-leaning arrangements.

Musical style

Songs are built around takachi, a drummer who also produces and arranges, and Asakura, who handles top lines and lyrics. takachi's contemporary tracks draw on US, UK and Asian global beats, while Asakura's lyrical words and subtly Japanese-flavored melodies are the band's greatest appeal. Asakura's emotional vocals give the music its distinctive world.