Am 17. Mai erscheint die lakonisch “IN” betitelte neue EP der japanischen Sängerin, Producerin und Multiinstrumentalistin Ai Kakihira auf Gearbox Records. “Originally from Nagasaki Prefecture and now currently living in Tokyo, Ai Kakihira’s sound is a unique psychedelic blend, skillfully incorporating elements of chillwave, disco, soul, techno, global music, and dream pop” heißt es über die vielfältigen Einflüsse der Musikerin. “With delicate vocals and melodies sung in her native Japanese language, Kakihira’s music is full of dense yet intricate dynamic arrangements.

[...] With so many trailblazing artists coming out of Tokyo – and indeed, Japan – at the moment, it’s no surprise that Kakihira is compelled to cross so many genres and boundaries. As an artist that refuses to be pigeonholed at every turn, “IN” sees Kakihira continue to beguile listeners whilst propelling her sound into new musical territory with a surreal and inimitable intensity”. Der Song “Korizu ni Shinjite Iidesuka” ist bereits als Single erhältlich, zu seiner rasanten, technoiden Entgrenztheit heißt es: “Combining saw-toothed rhythms with warped psych-inflected synth lines that dance and weave around her glitchy vocal lines.

However, none of this comes at the expense of good songwriting, there may be no limit to the multifaceted electronic instrumentation of the track, Kakihira’s vocals come forward as a hook-heavy, melodic beacon to guide listeners through her labyrinthine compositions”. Glitchige Elektronik, jazzige Passagen und immer wieder ein cinematisch-ambienter, soundtrackartiger Einschlag prägen die restlichen Stücke der EP. “IN” erscheint digital, eine weitere EP ist bereits in Vorbereitung.

Foto: Daisuke Murakami