EP Review: Ogikubo Station – Okinawan Love Songs

Ogikubo Station are comprised of Maura Weaver of Ohio punks Mixtapes and Asian Man Records founder Mike Park, aside from the obvious appeal of the coupling they are also the only band I’ve encountered that are named after a train station, although I suspect someone will prove me wrong on this. Ahead of their first ever UK headline tour dates later this month the duo are set to release Okinawan Love Songs on the 14th June 2019 via Asian Man Records, the EP follows up on the duo’s debut full length, We Can Pretend Like, that was released in the US late last year. The two members of Ogikubo Station might live in different states that are over 2000 miles apart but despite this logistical nightmare they have laid down an EP of glorious underground pop moments

Would I Break My Heart Enough For You kicks things off a bright, breezy and driven lovelorn number, there are obvious comparisons to Buzzcocks in the style of the songwriting and more than a hint of Magnapop and Alkaline Trio in the delivery, the latter quite possibly due to Dan Andriano delivering the bass lines, these comparisons are swiftly put to one side as Spend Some Time With Me veers gently into a more indie direction. The final track is an unexpected and suitably eccentric cover of Dr. Worm by They Might Be Giants that for me doesn’t seem to gel with the opening duo of self penned songs. With Okinawan Love Songs the duo have released an EP that should whet your appetite for their upcoming UK tour that kicks off just a few days after the release date, next stop Ogikubo Station. 

Ogikubo Station can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and you can also find Maura Weaver and Mike Park on Twitter. Okinawan Love Songs will be released on the 14th June and can be pre-ordered via Asian Man Records here