New Transmissions: The Seamless Journeys of Inuuro

Photo by: Oskar Bråten

It starts with meditative tones, a synth that rolls in to set the mood... then the drum beats arrive, letting you know the journey has truly begun. Listening to Inuuro’s "Tokyo 88" is a masterclass in the slow build. It’s amazing that two minutes can pass and you feel like the song is just getting started, yet you've enjoyed every second of the atmospheric buildup. A foundational synth tone establishes a solid base, while other sounds are layered on top to color in a vivid mental picture. The track is a journey, and Inuuro have a unique formula for creating massive soundscapes that you never get lost in.

The World of Neo-Tokyo

That journey is intentional, and for "Tokyo 88," it’s a very specific one. The track is a direct homage to a landmark of 80s Japanese culture.

“This track is deeply inspired by Akira,” Alex from Inuuro explains, “and we wanted a name that captured the spirit of Neo Tokyo. Tokyo 88 felt like the perfect fit, referencing the year the film was released.” The goal was to create more than just an atmosphere, but a narrative to step into. The patient, two-minute build-up was a creative gamble. “Tracks like this don’t often allow for slow, expansive builds since people tend to skip straight to ‘the good parts’,” he says, “but we wanted to layer in enough FX and soundscape elements to enhance the cyberpunk feel and strengthen the narrative.”

The Journey from Chillwave

Inuuro’s path to the synthwave scene was a natural evolution, deeply rooted in a related genre. While acknowledging Home – Resonance as a common entry point for many, Alex gives a lot of credit to chillwave pioneers for shaping their sound.

“We’d also give a shoutout to Tycho and other artists more closely tied to chillwave, who really opened that door for us,” he says. This blend of influences is what makes their sound so unique—it’s a seamless variety that feels both familiar and new.

A Journey Between Friends

The project began as a group of friends hanging out back in 2012, even taking their name from an NPC in a video game they all played together. That sense of connection remains the most rewarding part of their journey. Beyond big moments like playing support for Odesza, Alex says, “music has given us the chance to stay connected as friends—and that might be the greatest reward of all.”

That human connection is what you feel in the music. It's a style that is both moving and relaxing at the same time; it can have you tapping your foot while also slowly contemplating existence. With a crazy backlog of material, Inuuro plan to release a single every month for the rest of the year and have a new synthwave piece called Change planned for early 2026. It’s clear this sonic journey is just getting started.

Listen and Follow

Hear "Tokyo 88" on the Signal Palms: Transmissions playlist and keep up with Inuuro's journey by following them on Social Media.