Sailorwave by Macross 82-99 (Review)

Originally released back in 2013, Macross 82 – 99’s debut album has recently been re-released on CD and cassette by Hong Kong’s Neoncity Records. So now’s a great time to dive back into the enigmatic producer’s future funk. Pulling together disparate threads of jazz, hip-hop, and electronica, with a large dose of anime aesthetic (which should be obvious, given his name), Macross 82 – 99 crafts an inviting sonic world.

Like so much music often filed under “vaporwave,” Sailorwave’s ten songs can seem rather kitschy and disposable at first, but that’s part of the charm. There’s a muzak quality to much of Sailorwave, but the idea is that it’s the sort of muzak you’d hear while strolling along the SDF-1’s promenade alongside Rick Hunter, Lisa Hayes, and Lynn Minmei. There’s a fantastical element to Macross 82 – 99’s music, one that conjures up an interesting alternate sonic dimension where Veritechs are real.

But even if you don’t care about vaporwave aesthetic, or don’t know the difference between Robotech and Macross, there’s the simple fact that Sailorwave really is quite funky. Don’t be surprised to find your head a-bobbing and body a-swaying in time with “NEW DAWN“ ‘s slap bass, “木野 まこと“ ‘s trilling lounge piano, or “水野 亜美AMY“ ‘s jittery guitar.