Keitaro Ujiie (Japanese: 氏家 慶太郎), known professionally as Snail’s House (also under the alias Ujico*), has carved a distinctive niche in contemporary electronic music with his colorful, predominantly instrumental works that embody the “kawaii” aesthetic. Emerging from Tokyo, Japan in the mid-2010s, Snail’s House blends future bass, chiptune, and jazz-inspired harmonies to create soundscapes that are both whimsical and emotionally resonant. His tracks—characterized by sparkling synthesizers, delicate piano lines, and intricate rhythms—invite listeners into a world of playful nostalgia. This article highlights ten of Snail’s House’s standout instrumental pieces, including selections from his breakthrough album Ordinary Songs (2015), showcasing his innovative contribution to the development of kawaii future bass.
Ordinary Songs (2015): Finding Beauty in the Everyday
Released on March 29, 2015, the album Ordinary Songs established Snail’s House as a promising voice in electronic music. The opening track, “Thinkin’ of u.”, introduces dreamy synth pads and a relaxed tempo, setting a reflective yet uplifting tone. “Cocoa” evokes warmth and comfort through nostalgic melodies layered over gentle beats, while “[Snowlight]” captures a serene, wintry atmosphere with delicate piano textures. The upbeat “La La La...” enchants listeners with playful synth flourishes, and “fuka fuka ofuton” closes the record with a bedtime-like softness, embodying the album’s theme of finding magic in ordinary moments.
There is currently nothing to observe...
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There is currently nothing to observe...
Lyrics are unavailable.
There is currently nothing to observe...
Lyrics are unavailable.
These pieces, originally distributed on Bandcamp and SoundCloud, helped Ujiie gain recognition in online music circles, where his ability to craft emotionally rich instrumentals without vocal reliance distinguished him from other producers of the time.
Beyond Ordinary Songs: Viral Hits and Expanding Horizons
Snail’s House’s influence extended far beyond his early works. The 2016 follow-up, Ordinary Songs 2, included “Hot Milk”, a fan favorite that combines cozy melodies with rhythmic electronic beats—often cited as one of his quintessential “comfort tracks.”
In 2017, he reached a wider global audience with “Pixel Galaxy”, a chiptune-inspired track whose kaleidoscopic synths created a sense of digital adventure. Its popularity soared on YouTube, amassing over 100 million views and cementing Snail’s House’s reputation internationally.
Other highlights from his expanding catalog include “Twinklestar” from Snailchan Adventure (2018), notable for its intricate melodic layering; “Grape Soda” from L’été (2018), which radiates a summery, carefree spirit; “détour” from Petit Départ (2017), showcasing a mellow, jazz-tinged approach that contrasts with his brighter works; and “Ma Chouchoute” from Imaginarium (2020), offering an ambient, piano-driven soundscape that reflects his versatility beyond high-energy kawaii bass.
There is currently nothing to observe...
Lyrics are unavailable.
Most recently, Snail’s House has continued to evolve with albums like Lumi (2023) and ujbeats : summer (2025), further exploring instrumental palettes that merge electronic experimentation with emotional intimacy.
The Emotional Language of Instrumentals
What sets Snail’s House apart is his ability to communicate complex emotions without words. While many electronic artists rely on vocals or lyrical samples, Ujiie often favors melodic storytelling through synths, percussion, and harmonic shifts. This makes his music especially appealing to audiences seeking soundtracks for studying, gaming, or moments of reflection—contexts where lyrics might distract from immersion.
The kawaii future bass aesthetic, pioneered in part by his works, balances bright, childlike energy with subtle melancholy, offering listeners both comfort and escapism. His tracks demonstrate that music does not require words to tell a story, and that joy, nostalgia, or calm can be conveyed purely through sound design.
Conclusion
Snail’s House remains a central figure in kawaii future bass, not merely for his stylistic charm but for his sustained innovation in instrumental electronic music. From the cozy simplicity of Ordinary Songs (2015) to the vibrant expansiveness of later works like Lumi (2023), his catalog is a treasure trove of sonic delight. Tracks such as “Pixel Galaxy”, “Cocoa”, and “Hot Milk” provide ideal entry points into his enchanting world, offering both long-time fans and new listeners an invitation to find joy in the extraordinary hidden within the everyday.
- Snail’s House (Keitaro Ujiie or in Japanese: 氏家 慶太郎) is a Japanese electronic producer blending kawaii future bass, chiptune, and jazz.
- His instrumental tracks emphasize whimsical, nostalgic, and emotionally resonant soundscapes.
- Released March 29, 2015, distributed via Bandcamp and SoundCloud.
- Tracks like “Thinkin’ of u.”, “Cocoa”, “[Snowlight]”, “La La La...”, and “fuka fuka ofuton” highlight emotional storytelling without vocals.
- The album established Snail’s House as a rising voice in electronic music.
- Ordinary Songs 2 (2016) introduced fan favorite “Hot Milk.”
- “Pixel Galaxy” (2017) became viral with over 100 million YouTube views.
- Later works include “Twinklestar” (Snailchan Adventure, 2018), “Grape Soda” (L’été, 2018), and “Ma Chouchoute” (Imaginarium, 2020).
- Recent albums like Lumi (2023) and ujbeats : summer (2025) show continued innovation.
- Instrumental storytelling through synths, piano, and rhythm rather than lyrics.
- Kawaii future bass combines playful brightness with subtle melancholy.
- Music often used for studying, gaming, and reflective listening.
- Snail’s House remains a leading figure in kawaii future bass.
- His catalog—from Ordinary Songs to Lumi—offers immersive, joyful soundscapes.
- Recommended entry points: “Thinkin’ of u.,” “[Snowlight],” and “détour.”
Introduction
Ordinary Songs (2015)
Beyond Ordinary Songs
Musical Style
Conclusion
