Unthinking "E"

~ LAAPS 021 ~ [SEQ.03 - LP21]

artist : Tomotsugu Nakamura
 album : Nothing Left Behind
duration : 41.06 mn
 date : July 21st, 2022

edition :
-  vinyl : limited to 300 copies / marble ultra-clear + violet LP / hand numbered 
- cd : limited to 200 copies / hand numbered + handcrafted, sealed

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pre-order : June 27th, 2022 / official release : July 21st, 2022
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All songs written and produced by Tomotsugu Nakamura.
Recorded between Nov 2020 and Sep 2021.

Mastered by Taylor Deupree
Artwork by Russel Burden
Design by Sprflxgrfzm

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Links :
https://laaps-records.com/
https://tomotsugu.bandcamp.com/

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℗ & © 2 0 2 2 - L A A P S - L A A P S 021

Tomotsugu Nakamura - Poolside

FLAU w/ Federico Madeddu Giuntoli - 28/10/2022

FLAU - 25/11/2022

Marking the 5th year anniversary of his seminal debut album, Hiroshima-based artist Meitei announces his Kwaidan Anniversary Japan Tour beginning from 22nd July in Tokyo, with more dates to be added. This is the first time the ghostly masterpieces from Kwaidan are being played live in a thematic-specific show. 

A collaboration between 2 Singaporean labels – KITCHEN. LABEL (Kofu I & II) Evening Chants (Kwaidan), the anniversary also sees the highly anticipated special 5th Anniversary Edition of Kwaidan with 2 unreleased bonus tracks. This will come in the long out-of-print vinyl format, with obi strip, 8-panel insert, new colour variant and the first ever CD version. 

In 2018, Meitei shook the ambient world with the release of his debut album “Kwaidan”, a transposition of Japanese folklore into intricate compositions, capturing what he would coin as the “lost Japanese mood”. The album almost instantly received critical acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork, where it was included in their Best Experimental Albums of 2018, Bandcamp, calling it “different than some of the ambient music that has been coming from Japan in recent years”, The Wire and more. Outside of press, he has also received nods from the likes of Rosalía and has collaborated with contemporaries Anthony Naples, DJ Python, Tourist, Chitose Hajime and more. 
Cementing his name in the ambient and experimental world, Meitei has since continued to cultivate devoted fans globally, with monumental follow-up albums as part of his unique musical canon – Komachi, Kofu I and Kofu II, showcasing his immense musicianship in building a unique sonic world of his own. 

Mastered by Taylor Deupree, Kwaidan’s 5th Anniversary Edition will be released with 2 bonus tracks on a smoke haze variant LP, CD and digital formats, released via KITCHEN. LABEL and Evening Chants.

Meitei - Sankai (Kwaidan, 2023)

Meitei's "Heiwa": A Musical Exploration of Hiroshima's Non-Verbal Realm

Meitei, an acclaimed artist from Hiroshima Prefecture, unveils his latest composition, "Heiwa." Inspired by his upbringing and the profound impact of peace education, Meitei takes listeners on a captivating sonic journey through the history and emotions of Hiroshima.

Timed to coincide with the anniversary of the devastating atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, “Heiwa" is an unconventional composition, depicting the tragedy and resilience of Hiroshima's people. Meitei's music transcends language and symbolism, capturing the intangible aspects of his experiences. The result is an ambient soundscape that embodies his personal understanding of Hiroshima's non-verbal realm.

Unlike traditional peace-themed music prevalent in Hiroshima, Meitei offers a unique perspective on the city from his own vantage point. While recognizing the importance of preserving musical qualities and history, he ventures into the internal realms of the human senses. Through his music, Meitei conveys unspoken emotions and the sensory value of objects, redefining his interpretation of "ambient". Meitei's approach to “Heiwa” embraces individual expression and serves as a powerful conduit for his personal longing for peace while graphically representing the scars inflicted upon Hiroshima.

Within this composition, listeners will encounter a melancholic tone reminiscent of the ashen atmosphere that once permeated the city. Meitei skillfully infuses a tangible materiality into the melodic lines, symbolizing the lingering scent of a city scorched and burned. These elements amalgamate into a captivating auditory experience that carries an unmistakable sense of presence. By intertwining historical awareness and personal interpretation, Meitei invites listeners to explore the non-verbal realms of human emotion and sensory perception.

"Heiwa" is available for streaming on major platforms on 6 August, 2023. The track is the first single of Meitei's upcoming album, "Kofū III," slated for release in Autumn 2023 via KITCHEN. LABEL.

Meitei - Heiwa

"nature dreams, sings, of the moments of absolute clarity – alignments in the universe coinciding with the individual experience of living creatures. the subconscious web between all things, briefly brought to the fore. made luminous in a flash of benevolent light."
 
Known as Singapore’s “ambient boy,” Kin Leonn is ready to captivate his audience anew with his upcoming release, mirror in the gleam. Following his previous albums, Commune (2018) and Faraway Vicinity with Hiroshi Ebina (2020), Kin Leonn has left his mark with his production collaboration with Yeule on her album softscars, remixes for Moderat and Yunè Pinku, and his contribution to the original score of The Breaking Ice, a Cannes Film Festival 2023 Un Certain Regard selection, directed by Anthony Chen.
 
In his second full-length album, Kin Leonn delves into a semiotic approach to sonic storytelling. mirror in the gleam is a collection of mysteriously significant events and their metaphorical sentiments, crafting a unique empathetic folklore that offers solace in the face of modern-day disconnection. Each track serves as a musical ode to those moments of profound clarity that remind us what it truly means to be alive.
 
Breaking free from a fixed palette of instruments, Kin Leonn embraces a fluidity that seamlessly blends organic expressions with electronic textures throughout the album. Prioritizing mood and storytelling over technicality, he embarks on an ambient world-building journey where nature plays a pivotal role. Whether through field recordings, found sounds, or the mimicry of natural behavior through instrumentation, the album is grounded in the intimacy of the environment. 
 
Despite its ethereal qualities, mirror in the gleam is designed to resonate deeply with listeners, evoking a sense of familiarity reminiscent of a past existence or a vivid exploration of our current hyper-reality. Kin Leonn’s musical craftsmanship invites audiences to embark on self-discovery through sound.
 
Available on LP, CD and digital formats, Kin Leonn releases mirror in the gleam on 27 October 2023 (LP edition arriving in November 2023) via KITCHEN. LABEL. Stephan Mattieu mastered this record at Schwebung Mastering in Germany.

Kin Leonn - ghost strata (mirror in the gleam, 2023)

Hailing from Hiroshima, Meitei, unveils the final chapter of his transformative Kofū trilogy. “Kofū III” marks the apex of a musical journey that began in 2020, unraveling an introspective exploration of the artist's psyche while delving deep into the essence of Japanese culture. This latest release invites listeners into the innermost sanctums of Meitei's existence — a passage filled with serenity, self-discovery, and the triumphant conquest of personal demons.

Meitei's journey has been deeply intertwined with his surroundings. His move from bustling Kyoto to the tranquil rural town of Onomichi in Hiroshima wasn't just a change of location but a profound shift in his life. Navigating through the ebbs and flows of mental well-being, Meitei found solace in the quiet, low-key energy of Onomichi, where he began creating his distinctive brand of "ambient" music dedicated to resurrecting ‘lost Japanese moods’.

"Kofū III" is not just a collection of songs; it's a window into Meitei's mind, where he reflects on ‘the Japanese mental landscape,’ as experienced during the period of his return to his hometown. This album stands as a testament to Meitei's evolution, from his tentative inner quest to a state of deep healing.

"Kofū” and its precursor, "Kwaidan,” germinated in the solitude of Onomichi, embodying the mysterious, vanishing essence of Japan that Meitei unearthed in the shadows of his hometown. With "Kofū III," this exploration reaches its zenith, weaving musical landscapes that transcend temporal bounds. Each track vividly paints bygone eras and vignettes, all while drawing on the rich tapestry of Japanese literature and mindscapes.

Meitei introduces listeners to the tranquil Hiroshima countryside in 'Reimei,' while 'Hiroshima' reflects upon the city's transformation. It explores Meitei's intricate relationship with the city and contemplates the ever-changing visage of contemporary Japanese progress.

Within the sonic fabric of "Kofū III," "Shisei" brings listeners to Japan's past, when tattoos bore the name "Shisei." Fueled by Junichiro Tanizaki's "Shisei" narratives, the song paints a sensual tale of a tattooed man adorning a woman with a spider tattoo.

Meitei's authenticity shines through in "Kofū III," where complex emotions metamorphose into a kaleidoscopic fusion of lo-fi bliss. In "Yume-jūya," Meitei recounts a peculiar dream and the lingering anxiety it left behind. Also, inspired by the famous Japanese writer Soseki Natsume's "Yume-jūya," Meitei's interpretation offers his own perspective on this comical and bizarre tale.

"Edogawa Ranpo" stands as a mind-bending loop track that pays homage to the genius of the lesser-known Japanese author Edogawa Ranpo, a pioneer of the mysterious and bizarre. This experimental piece melds folklore, electronic rapture, and distortion, echoing Meitei's fascination with Ranpo's work since his elementary school days.

At the core of "Kofū III" lies "Heiwa," originally titled "1945," encapsulating Meitei's profound reflection on peace education in his hometown and the weighty significance of acknowledging historical tragedies. Its renaming as "Peace" symbolizes his personal odyssey towards understanding and reconciliation.

As Meitei concludes his Kofū trilogy, global listeners are invited to embark on this voyage to unearth the hidden treasures of Japanese culture and the depths of the human soul. "Kofū III" is a meditation on the intangible threads that bind us to our past - a portal to Japan's veiled history, capturing the essence of Japan's elusive spirit through the enigmatic landscapes of Meitei's inner terrains.

"Kofū III" is slated for release on December 1, 2023, in 180g LP, CD, and digital formats via KITCHEN. LABEL. Both LP and CD format are presented in a debossed sleeve with obi strip and include an accompanying 32-page booklet. This album is mastered by Chihei Hatakeyama in Tokyo, Japan.

Meitei - Yume-jūya (Kofū III, 2023)

Splashes

It began with ‘Kwaidan’, a simmering study on the lost art of Japanese ghost story-telling. Then there was‘Komachi’, baptized in the earthly winds and static that define its comforting sonics.

On ‘Kofū’, Meitei masterfully closes his trilogy of lost Japanese moods with an engaging interrogation of artforms and aesthetics as a provocation — or, as fashioned in the album’s subtitle, a “satire of old Japanese aesthetics”. Each entry’s distinct flavour hasearned Meitei acclaim for conjuring a bygone culture through his transportive form of ambient music. ‘Kofū’ arrives as a deconstruction of this approach. His first release with KITCHEN. LABEL, Meitei has quietly defied expectations set by his previous two albums, while continuing to challenge modern notions of Japanese sounds.

Once again, Meitei resumes his focus on a Japan that has long ceased to be. This time, ‘Kofū’ is deliberately playful in bridging a sensibility that connects this imagined past to the present. Fractured piano chords are the first to greet you on ‘Kintsugi’ before they make way for a spectral elegance that parades the haunted mask of Kwaidan on ‘Man'yō’. 

But like an ambient soothsayer schooled in the art of the 808s, Meitei quickly drives ‘Kofū’ with propulsion on ‘Oiran I’, which shares a sibling in Side B track ‘Oiran II’. On both songs, he builds tension served up by flickering hip-hop rhythms — achieved by carefully processing old drum and metal sounds — with a subversive spirit unforeseen in any of his work thus far.

Dissecting vocal recordings to the point of incomprehensibility, Meitei aims for something stirring beyond- words — not unlike J Dilla and his mountain of cut-up soul samples, or The Caretaker with decaying 78s. He abides by a principle attributed to the master Hayao Miyazaki: “Beyond logic speaks of human nature”.

‘Kofū’ allows full immersion into fragments of the past without the trappings of nostalgia. The tracklist is denoted by prominent (and unseen) figures of this history. Tracks ‘Sadayakko’ and ‘Otojirō’ are named after renowned entertainers from the Meiji era, while ‘Nyōbō’ is dedicated to a long-suffering line of working class women within a patriarchal Japanese society. The sounds of ‘Oiran’, sharing the name of the title bestowed upon courtesans, were sparked after learning about the treatment of red light district workers within this era. It paints a grim picture of baidoku (also known as syphilis) and its ravage spread.

These stories cloud the overall mood of ‘Kofū’, but Meitei takes a Mizoguchi-like approach to mould that unimaginable pain with tenderness. ‘Oiran 1’’s hidden subtitle is Hana, and ‘Oiran II’ is Shiokaze. As Meitei explains, “Hana means gorgeous and glorious. Shiokaze is the sea breeze — for her life.” Tracks like ‘Urameshi-ya’ and ‘Gen'ei’ provide a meditative space amidst the turbulence, while ‘Shōnen’ takes a turn for the cinematic. The eight-minute odyssey is engulfed by shadowy voice loops, mixed best for a headphone experience in a solitary setting.

Meitei bids farewell to an expedition first sparked by a passion for a long-forgotten cultural past. ‘Kofū’ is a definitive conclusion with an open invitation to listeners from Japan and beyond — encouraging continued appreciation of this sacred part of history, wholly untethered from the world at large.

‘Kofū’ will be released on LP, CD and across all digital formats via KITCHEN. LABEL. Chihei Hatakeyama mastered this recording in Tokyo, Japan.

Release Date:
CD, Digital - 25 Sep 2020
LP - 30 Oct 2020

Ⓟ & © 2020 KITCHEN. LABEL

Meitei - Shōnen (Kofū, 2020)

Remixed by @LoraineJames

LISTEN https://smarturl.it/Cuushe-WAKENRemixes​
Pre-Order WAKEN Remixes https://flau.bandcamp.com/album/waken...​
Artwork by Yoko Kuno

Following her uplifting return with the 2020 album WAKEN, today Mayuko Hitotsuyanagi aka Cuushe announces the release of WAKEN Remixes, a full album of new interpretations and remixes from a notable cross-section of her friends, peers, and notable electronic artists. The album is set for release March 10th on FLAU.

Cuushe - Drip (Loraine James Remix)

Hong Kong Community Radio
Limited uploads, please check our website for complete upload

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FLAU - 25/11/2022

HKCR

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