Blue

Blue, released in 1994, is the debut studio album by the Japanese rock band Plastic Tree. Emerging during the height of the visual kei movement, the album reflects the genre's characteristic blend of melancholy alternative rock, atmospheric post-punk influences, and introspective lyricism. It was produced at a time when the band was establishing their unique sonic identity, characterized by Ryutaro Arimura's distinctively emotive vocals and the intricate guitar melodies that would define their later discography.

The album was designed to capture a sense of fragile, ethereal longing, a theme that would become central to the band's aesthetic throughout their career. The visual presentation and musical composition were received as a promising start for the group, marking their transition from the underground club scene to a wider audience. While it is often viewed as a formative piece of their early work, it established the blueprints for the band’s thematic focus on human isolation and emotional depth.