Char

Ask someone for a Char song and “Smoky” will often come first. His debut already contains another fully formed statement: “Shinin' You Shinin' Day.” The sweet opening sets up the contrast. Even at 21, Char could bring a sharp, crossover instinct into a song without letting it swallow the melody.

Rock remained his foundation, and “Kagero” makes that case with a funky guitar line that feels like looking toward the setting sun from a Tokyo street in the seventies. For a freer, more open groove, turn to “Asa.” This is a debut that lets his confidence announce itself in several languages at once.