Crucial Track for 17 January 2026

"Asayake" by Casiopea

Share a song that captures the feeling of being completely content.

Asayake (Morning Glow) is from Casiopea's first live album, Mint Jams. It's a very relaxing fusion jazz track with a tropical vibe. It's cheesy in all the right ways and can't help but make me smile.

The funky guitar in the intro, the cowbell, lush synths and the bass all come together into something beautiful that can only be described as an amazing vibe. The guitar solos are insane with some Van Halen-y picking. The guitarist Issei Noro pulls all the stops in Asayake, that's for sure.

I first heard this when me and the wife were in quarantine during COVID. We spent a lot of time listening to random albums and mixtapes on youtube while playing yahtzee and when Casiopea's Mint Jams started playing, I knew I'd found my favourite band ever.

Six years later, we have so many memories around this album and I think Asayake is maybe the best song that encapsulates being content for me.