One of the biggest names in contemporary Japanese rock, Kenji Furuya's Dragon Ash has made a name for itself by incorporating strong elements of punk, hip-hop, and more into its music.

2005's Rio de Emocion continued this (and had a minor hit with a track on The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift soundtrack), and goes deeper into modern hip-hop, but also adds in Spanish elements throughout.

Guitars are used not necessarily in an acoustic, Mexican style, but also in a modern electronica format with the right chord structures.

The result is driving, demanding music that pulls the listener in.