Mouse On The Keys live in KL

Mouse On The Keys play math rock – but there’s a bit more to it than that. Japan, for one reason or the other, has a thriving, vibrant math rock scene; or rather, it’s a breeding ground for experimental, instrumental bands whose art and aesthetic have aligned with the math rock movement. Think LITE, Toe and Tricot, the masters and mistresses of math rock. It’s unfortunate that, dare we say it, the genre has a characterless tint to it; its work has no firm grip on non-fans new to the world of precision, speed and volume, who regard it as boring, background music. Yet the Japanese, with their craft of pop-leaning, carefully chaotic chords, are good at making math rock less abstract, more accessible.

Founded in 2006, the Tokyo-based trio of Mouse On The Keys – made of two former members of the Japanese underground post-rock act Nine Days Wonder, Akira Kawasaki and Atsushi Kiyota, as well as Daisuke Niitome, drummer – challenges categorisation. With elements of electronic, funk, jazz and post-rock, they provide for a distinct, delirious sound, built by pianos, keyboards and drums. Mouse On The Keys are a percussion powerhouse, all acute angularity, dissonant, layered rhythms and melodies: the result is more pleasing than provocative, with the forceful, forthright elements complementing each other instead of clashing with one another. Loud/quiet, start/ stop; the moments of delicate, flourishing exquisiteness are countered and contrasted with a high-octane blend of beats.

This month, they return to Kuala Lumpur for a sophomore show in support of their new album ‘The Flowers of Romance’, released under the Toe-owned record label Machu Picchu. With backing from trumpeter Daisuke Sasaki and saxophonist Jun Nemoto, expect an atmospheric, immersive audio and visual experience.