“Johatsu” by Mango Cat – A Song Feature

     The tempo and rhythm of “Johatsu” create a sense of forward movement, perhaps a purposeful walk along a tropical beach. The urgency behind the movement varies, but the travel is continuous. There isn’t a hint that the song is about the end of life, until attention is turned to the lyrics – “Every time we say goodnight  // There's a small chance it is the last one // I don't want to say goodbye.” Mango Cat explains that “Johatsu" is Japanese for “evaporated people" and:

  “The song is about the acceptance of death, and coming to terms with mortality. In the short time span of their first meeting, both Bailey and Sean’s dogs passed away, and then Sean’s grandma died. This is a song to celebrate all of them. We love and miss you guys.”

     Like the rhythm, the vocalization of “Johatsu” is straightforward. The vocals convey the acceptance of death, until the final 25 seconds, when one layer of the vocals reveals a level of woe. Mango Cat is a Dream Pop/Indie Rock duo consisting of Sean Brutus and Bailey Crone. Sean provides the lead vocals in “Johatsu,” but the song would not be as attractive without Bailey’s voice. She is described as “a multi-instrumentalist and a lover of all things reverb.”

     The credits for “Johatsu” identify Sean Brutus and Bailey Crone as co-writers. Sean contributed the lyrics and acoustic guitar. Bailey played guitar, bass and percussion. The saxophone belongs to Scott Box. Mango Cat is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Mango Cat will be releasing a single from their upcoming LP self-titled "Mango Cat" every 3 weeks.

      “Johatsu” by Mango Cat

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mangocatband/

Bandcamp: https://mangocat.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “Johatsu” by Mango Cat

I could climb forever into mountains made of diamonds

I am seeing such a brightness in our ocean colored irises

I wonder who the man or woman was who lit the fire

First a spark across the desert

Now it's climbing ever higher, honey

Flames go dancing on her skin

I can't ever understand

Johatsu are hiding out

The world's the world and we're just in it

Flames go dancing on her skin

I can't ever understand

Lava flows through trailer parks

We all were signed up for this dance

Anytime the clock ticks off a measure she is going

There are always rays of sunlight pouring down into the mourning

Every time we say goodnight

There's a small chance it is the last one

I don't want to say goodbye

I love my time tucked in your lasso, lovely

Flames go dancing on her skin

I can't ever understand

Johatsu are hiding out

The world's the world and we're just in it

Flames go dancing on her skin

I can't ever understand

Lava flows through trailer parks

We all were signed up for this dance

Flames go dancing on her skin

I can't ever understand

Johatsu are hiding out

The world's the world and we're just in it

Flames go dancing on her skin

I can't ever understand

Lava flows through trailer parks

We all were signed up for this dance

Flames go dancing on her skin

I can't ever understand

Johatsu are hiding out

The world's the world and we're just in it

Flames go dancing on her skin

I can't ever understand

Lava flows through trailer parks

We all were signed up for this dance