After a short delay due to production issues, indigo la End’s highly anticipated album Michita Murasaki was released June 24. Michita Murasaki showcases the latest evolution of the band and demonstrates 16 years of experience with prowess. From start to finish, the album feels soft, calming, and nostalgic. Compared to their previous album, MOLTING AND DANCING, Michita Murasaki comes off slow and melancholy. However, after multiple listens, the genius behind the tracks really starts to reveal itself.
A deep dive into “Michita Murasaki”
Michita Murasaki opens with Natsume (夏目), with the twinkling clean guitars indigo la End is known for. Natsume starts the album off slow. As the closing of the track draws near, the energy ramps up, leading to powerful moments. When the energy comes to a conclusion, the short instrumental section that finishes the track sounds evocative of a group of friends’ high school band, only with indigo la End’s exceptional high-quality production.
Whirlpool (ワールプール) is one of the high moments of the album. Released as a single, Whirlpool encompasses a lot of what indigo la End has to offer. The chorus of the track is so memorable as Enon Kawatani’s vocals glide over Eitaro Sato’s drums. Although the chorus drums are much simpler than what fans come to expect from indigo la End, they demonstrate the band’s diverse composition skills. The slow verses hold all the complexity of this track, and the contrast with the choruses is definitely felt and appreciated.
The unity of piano, acoustic, and electric guitars in Watashi no Kuse wo Yurushite (私の癖を許して) is beautiful. Showcasing this unity best are the soft verses, which construct a heartfelt soundscape that feels like diving into the past. The culmination of emotions built up in the verses leads into the typical indigo la End-style choruses. Despite the softer sound, Watashi no Kuse wo Yurushite preserves indigo la End’s fun and groovy ideas.
A shoegaze sound is heard in Noroi wa Itsu Made (呪いはいつまで), with washed-out reverb consuming the rhythm guitar. The lead guitar, on the other hand, comes in so many flavors, including raw cleans and rough distortion, and, in one moment, it even sounds like a retro synth. The melodies throughout this track are really some of the best on the album and will stay with you for days to come.
Kagerou (陽炎) begins with soft, nostalgic synths behind calm rhythms provided by drums and bass. As the guitars enter, the full scale of the composition is unleashed. Kagerou surprises you with a rap section and a passionate guitar solo with that retro-sounding guitar tone heard previously.
As the first single released for Michita Murasaki, Kagura (カグラ) is one of the most action-packed tracks on the album. Contrary to the majority of the album, which embraces softer soundscapes, Kagura unleashes chaos in a way only indigo la End could. The music video below aligns with the chaotic music.
Dekiyashinai (できやしない) feels like a callback to the ending of the opening track Natsume. Those moments where the composition is simple and reminiscent of high school bands ooze with nostalgia. There are still moments where indigo la End’s signature sound breaks through the composition, but the track as a whole leans into that more simplistic approach.
Filled with angst, Shiranai Umi (知らない海) covers a hard rock side to indigo la End. If there was ever an indigo la End track to headbang to, this would be it. The guitar riffs are so fun. Ranging from heavy rock riffs to fun and bouncy leads, the guitar work in Shiranai Umi is something to be admired. Although the track may not be as complex as previous tracks on the Michita Murasaki, the energy felt is incomparable. Those moments where Enon yells the phrase “Get back at you” come with so much power.
The entire band demonstrates excellent rhythm in Zigzag, Takataka Neat (ジグザグタカタカニー). Rhythmic expression is heard from the very beginning as a walking bass line leads into an uplifting groove, which only becomes stronger as instruments are added. Enon Kawatani repeating the song title mirrors the funky guitar riff and stays in your head longer than warranted. Providing a moment to enjoy indigo la End’s compositional virtuosity, the final instrumental section showcases the band’s unity.
Michita Murasaki comes to a close with Flaner la nuit and Koi no Oko (恋の底). Flaner la nuit is a short instrumental packaged with some calming ambience. indigo la End translates the French title as “Drifting the Night”, and this is exactly what the track feels like. As the track plays, you can’t help but think of beautiful, calming nighttime imagery.
The final track, Koi no Oko, keeps this calming aesthetic and amplifies it, leading to one of the most powerful tracks featured on Michita Murasaki. Koi no Oko‘s beautiful composition transcends words. Every member of the band performs in perfect harmony to create such a passion-filled experience. A tear jerking guitar solo performed by Curtis Osada closes the album. As the guitar solo fades out, ambient pads take over briefly before the silence and realization of the album’s end.
Overall thoughts
Michita Murasaki once again showcases indigo la End surpassing their own limits. The latest evolution of the band heard covers a slower and calmer sound overall. As always, the band members showcase nothing more than perfection and mastery of their craft. The dual guitar parts are one of indigo la End’s defining characteristics, and in Michita Murasaki, both Enon Kawatani and Curtis Osada showcase a virtuosic approach to guitar composition. Powerful rhythms put forth by Ryosuke Gocho on bass and Eitaro Sato on drums are masterful and completely elevate all tracks and provide that all essential groove.
Michita Murasaki is influenced by all the same places heard in previous albums, expanding indigo la End’s discography with ever more high-quality tracks with the signature sound fans have grown accustomed to. Despite this, the album feels fresh but is accompanied by a strong feeling of nostalgia. Whether this nostalgic feeling is intentional or not, it is greatly appreciated and definitely makes for some very emotional moments throughout the album.
Every style of indigo la End track is found on Michita Murasaki, not a minute of the album is wasted, always delivering what’s needed in each and every track. The tracklist comes with so many powerful moments; this especially felt in the ending track, Koi no Oko, which was immensely emotional and potentially one of the best album closers of 2026.
The album Michita Murasaki is available both digitally on major streaming services and physically in various editions. The regular edition comes with all 11 tracks. However, for more dedicated fans, limited first press variants A and B are available, containing a Blu-ray disc of indigo la End’s 15th anniversary Budokan concert titled Yoru no Ai and a photobook. A separate limited edition is also available, which, in addition to the album, comes with a scarf, a pouch, and a photobook. All details are available below.
- Natsume夏目
- Whirlpoolワールプール
- Watashi no Kuse o Yurushite私の癖を許して
- Norui wa Itsu Made呪いはいつまで
- Kagerou陽炎
- Kaguraカグラ
- Dekiyashinaiできやしない
- Shiranai Umi知らない海
- Zigzag, Takataka neatジグザグタカタカニー
- Flâner la nuitFlâner la nuit
- Koi no Oko恋の底
- Natsume夏目
- Whirlpoolワールプール
- Watashi no Kuse o Yurushite私の癖を許して
- Norui wa Itsu Made呪いはいつまで
- Kagerou陽炎
- Kaguraカグラ
- Dekiyashinaiできやしない
- Shiranai Umi知らない海
- Zigzag, Takataka neatジグザグタカタカニー
- Flâner la nuitFlâner la nuit
- Koi no Oko恋の底
- Original pouch
- Scarf
- Photobook
- Natsume夏目
- Whirlpoolワールプール
- Watashi no Kuse o Yurushite私の癖を許して
- Norui wa Itsu Made呪いはいつまで
- Kagerou陽炎
- Kaguraカグラ
- Dekiyashinaiできやしない
- Shiranai Umi知らない海
- Zigzag, Takataka neatジグザグタカタカニー
- Flâner la nuitFlâner la nuit
- Koi no Oko恋の底
- indigo la End 15th Anniversary Special Series #Final Budokan performance "Yoru no Ai"※indigo la End 15th Anniversary Special Series #Final 武道館公演「夜の藍」
- Photobook
- Natsume夏目
- Whirlpoolワールプール
- Watashi no Kuse o Yurushite私の癖を許して
- Norui wa Itsu Made呪いはいつまで
- Kagerou陽炎
- Kaguraカグラ
- Dekiyashinaiできやしない
- Shiranai Umi知らない海
- Zigzag, Takataka neatジグザグタカタカニー
- Flâner la nuitFlâner la nuit
- Koi no Oko恋の底
- indigo la End 15th Anniversary Special Series #Final Budokan performance "Yoru no Ai"※indigo la End 15th Anniversary Special Series #Final 武道館公演「夜の藍」
- Photobook