I started collecting vinyl on the last day of 2020. After nearly a year of COVID pandemic lockdown, I sought mental solace through music, my “OG” hobby. I stopped collecting physical music albums when digital music media took flight, changing how we obtain music. In the past, it was impossible to hear the music of an album except from radio or through in-store sampling. Then as the Internet and digital music sharing became common, the consumers are able to listen to music on-demand just by searching them online, even downloading them. The incentive of purchasing CDs are close to zero.
Vinyl records give me a reason to own music albums again, because this unique medium makes music sound different. It’s not about sounding better than digital, but all about listening to the same music in a different perspective. And this mindset of organic music discovery and ownership have led me to artists and music that I would never have known.
How I Found Miyuki 美雪
I have this desire of collecting Japan-press Promo Sample records because they are the ultimate “first-press” edition given they are given to radio stations and media before the public sales. This is the surest way of knowing if the record is first press or 100th press, especially for titles that sold million copies. So I was browsing for “PROMO” keywords and then this album popped up, listed for 1000 yen. The cover design struck me, the title struck me. “Photo Randum”, the keyword to my second favourite hobby. I searched on YouTube to sample the tracks, and liked the style. Unlike the upbeat City Pop, this album delivers emotional ballads through the warm velvet and genuine voice.
Who is Miyuki 美雪
It is really hard to find info about her, because “Miyuki” is a very common name, and the other namesake, Miyuki Nakajima, is far more famous. A lot of search results are not related to her and there are no official artist website anywhere.
Eventually, I managed to find out that Miyuki real name is Saito Myu, currently a vocal trainer with Artist Campus which she founded. In the bio page, she clearly describes that she released the album “Photo Randum”. In 1999, she changed her stage name from “Miyuki” to “Myu”. As of Feb 2026, she remains active on Facebook.
Buying “Photo Randum” Took Me About A Year
When I saw the LP listing for sale at Record City, I didn’t think that anyone would buy it, so I wanted to wait until my year-end vacation and do an in-store pick-up and save on shipping. But a few weeks later, someone bought it. I tried searching for alternative buying sites and found many were listed on Japan Yahoo and Mercari auction sites but they do not support overseas users. I also could not find the record during my Japan vacation in 2025. I was practically giving up and asked myself why I bothered to go through all the trouble when I could easily listen to this album on YouTube and Spotify. Finally, Record City listed another copy (non-promo), and I ordered it promptly.
The Theme of “Photo Randum” Album
The album opens with “雨あがり” (Ame Agari), a reflective piece that sets the tone with gentle synth layers and a steady rhythm. It evokes the feeling of renewal after rainfall, a metaphor for emotional healing. Miyuki’s voice is tender yet assured, guiding the listener into her world of memories and fleeting encounters. This theme of recollection is central to Photo Randum, as suggested by its title: each track feels like a snapshot, a frozen moment in time captured through music.
The second track “想い出のフォト” (Omoide no Photo) serves as the emotional centerpiece. Built around a nostalgic melody, it explores the bittersweet nature of photographs – symbols of permanence that paradoxically remind us of impermanence. The production here is lush, with layered synth pads and subtle guitar flourishes that enhance the lyrical sentiment.
What makes Photo Randum compelling is its balance between accessibility and intimacy. Miyuki’s voice carries sincerity across every track, a hidden gem that rewards listeners with its blend of heartfelt ballads, seasonal storytelling, and cosmopolitan flair. Photo Randum is a beautifully crafted album that captures the essence of mid‑80s Japanese pop. With its mix of synth‑pop sophistication and lyrical intimacy, it stands as a reflective, nostalgic journey through love, memory, and time.
Tracklist
- 雨あがり (Ame Agari) – 5:07
- 想い出のフォト (Omoide no Photo) – 5:30
- Predire D’amour (愛の言葉) – 3:51
- ラバーズ・レーン (Lovers Lane) – 4:18
- 愛のせい (Ai no Sei) – 3:27
- 雪 (Yuki) – 5:25
- Christmas – 5:13
- 散歩道 (Sanpomichi) – 5:05
- タッチ・ミー (Touch Me) – 2:53
- 煙草売りのラプソディ (Tabako Uri no Rhapsody) – 3:46
Second Album 翔ぶのがこわい
Miyuki released a second and final album but I sampled it and didn’t like it. This album is too ballady and her songs are too similar in melodic lines, lacking in creative variety. Even though the PROMO copy is available, I decided not to buy it as I genuinely did not enjoy this album and didn’t want to buy it for its rarity.
