Shoganai - Shoganai

Labels: Solipsistic/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 04 Dec 2024

Tracklist:

1. Lighthouses

2. Names and Dates in Concrete

3. Carving

4. Paradise

5. How I Know You're Gone

Today has been a wild ride for me (in a good way). Nothing has really changed except for hitting a major adulting milestone and the feeling of freedom that comes with it. Hopefully, that freedom will allow me more time to write but I'm not overpromising. I am though going to write about the debut EP from Texan screamo band Shoganai. 

Having first been released digitally by Shoganai themselves in December 2024, it was soon released on tape in January 2025 via US DIY label Solipsistic. Zegema Beach Records then picked it up for their own tape pressing in late July, which is where I heard about the band. It's always cool to hear a new band for the first time but it's also cool to see that they're planning for the future, as their Instagram handle is @shogan.ai, so you know some AI Stan's gonna come along at some point and offer them a fortune for the account (and I don't blame them if they accept it too!).

I’ll be honest; I think I overdid it by trying to force myself to write over the last few months, which led to me writing less. Maybe less is more, but I’m going to carry on regardless. I’m drawn to Shoganai’s debut EP straight away as opener ‘Lighthouses’ begins with atmospheric and majestic instrumentation before stop/start mathy post-hardcore takes hold. It is violent at times but it’s nowhere near being labelled emoviolence.

’Names and Dates in Concrete’ goes further into math territory and honestly, it couldn’t be delivered in a more perfect way. I think it’s that extra experimental approach that sets Shoganai apart from other screamo bands I’ve listened to recently, especially when they quickly move into chunky metalcore sounds later on.

There’s a more immediate feel to ‘Carving’, where Shoganai break out the metalcore influences to greater effect, all while remaining true to the mixture of elements that they’re carving out. So far this EP is excellent and I’m not just saying that for effect. Even with it’s immediacy at times, it doesn’t seem rushed.

The chugging, panic-laden riffs of ‘Paradise’ match both the percussion and vocals perfectly during what is the shortest song on the EP. Even when they break into a full-on mathcore stomp, there’s no faulting how good Shoganai are musically. EP closer ‘How I Know You’re Gone’ hangs around long enough to glisten in the autumn air while being warm enough in tone to cut through it.

It’s Guy Fawkes night here in the UK and with fireworks going off as I write, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than sitting here in cosy surroundings as this EP wraps itself around me like a warm embrace. Excellent and essential.

You can stream and purchase this EP digitally from Shoganai below:-

Shoganai Instagram - @shogan.ai

Tape copies are still available to purchase from Zegema Beach Records below:-

ZBR CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/shoganai

ZBR USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/shoganai

Solipsistic Instagram - @xsolipsisticx

Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social