Yuuki Yamaguchi – Atmosphere EP (2018)

Ceramic

Yuuki Yamaguchi

• House 
• Electronic music 
• Deep house
• Crossover
• Ethno-house 
• Avant-house

Comment: by listening to this 3-notch outing by a Japanese artist, Yuuki Yamaguchi I thought about the possibility to write a review about a house music release. In fact, how much house or drum and bass reviews could you meet today. No, I am not supposed to think of it as an example of boring music but its functionality might predominate over its other qualities more or less deliberately. First of all, it is the synonym of dance music and at a lesser extent, to create a pleasant state of mind (one of the strengths of house music is to build up sultry ambiances). Of course, there have been around many artists whose purpose are being to undermine the aforementioned intentions and outputs. First of all, I could remember for artists under the legendary German imprint Thinner, and Akufen. The Japanese artist's issue being released on Ceramic Records is a tight blend of national motives (which frequently are warped into an appealingly acidic form) and vibrant rhythms. By considering the titles of these tracks (Atmosphere, Distortion, to Nature) one can perceive the artist's drive to move further from within the borders of the aforementioned styles. One can hear the birds are singing, slightly pulsating drones provide an alternative to the more fragmented beats, smithereens-alike sounds used to pop out here and there. To create house music seems not to be his ultimate goal but exploiting it as a platform to reach new heights.

MOnOnOmOnOOtO – 架空の洞 (2014)

 Ceramic

• Indietronica 
• Art pop 
• Electronic 
• Alternative 
• Ethnotronica 
• IDM 
• Drone

Comment: this set of 6 compositions is based predominantly on rhythmic backbones, veering away from programmed angular cadences to more soothing exquisite rhythms to tabla and other ethnic drum induced percussions. Frequently the artsy rhythmic configurations are accompanied by dreamy droning, arousing electronic effects and more atmospheric, lofty electronica. One can enjoy a playful borderline between volatile shades and more visible structures. The subtle issue is a part of the Japanese imprint Ceramic Records.

Eknoh – Moi! Kuukauden Valaat (2015)

Ceramic

• Plinkerpop 
• Art pop 
• Electronic music 
• Post-IDM 
• Indietronica
• Alternative pop

Comment: Eknoh is Hal Honke, and vice versa, whose 5-track issue is a part of the discography of the Japanese imprint Ceramicrecords. Because of having had no contact with the artist before listening to this issue I thought firstly it is an album by a Finn due to the Finnish title (Hi! Monthly Whales). I also thought of it as an issue coming out from the 00s under such labels either as Petite & Jolie, Error! Lo-Fi Recordings, 23 Seconds, Aerotone, or No-Source. However, it is a decent alternative, electronic pop issue with acidic grooves, brisk changes between the chords, some catchy melodies and lead motives, and sprawling yet exquisite orchestrations. I would like to call it an example of post-IDM (or IDM pop).

Crashing Down From The Gravity - CDFTG2 (2013)

Ceramic

/Digital hardcore, Breakcore, Alternative dance, Techno, Hi-NRG, Aggrotech, Hardstyle, EBM/

Comment: by listening to this 5-bar issue one can say it is a contemporary, harsh dance album of digital era. It is full of hirsute and rigid synth progressions and rhythmic structures, respectively. Rhythmically it used to extend from hardstyle and EBM to drum and bass and hellektro explorations to calmer techno pads. In a word, energetically it is loaded with overwhelming static and poignant noises atop and beneath, on the right and left side. Those sonic blocks and bits used to fluctuate between getting out of focus and arrive at there again. Because of being replete with incessantly changeable rhythmic and harmonic fabric it needs remarkably more attention to touch its proper core. If one does it then she/he could perceive its greatness. The issue is a part of the Japanese imprint Ceramic Records.

Mononomoooto - 架空の洞 (2014)

Ceramic

/Electronic, Mood music, Abstract, Experimentalism/

Comment: I am a little confused by listening to this handful of tracks. In fact, I feel I am not able to describe it, to envelope it, to catch it, to pin it. Of course, I hear lots of sounds pouring out of there but what is the genuine intention of these sounds for me is quite puzzling to explain. However, I perceive quite simplistic, amateurish rhythms which are either adorned with subtle drones or softened chords or half spaced-out synth progressions above thereby providing powerful and poignant contrast for me. At tmes The point of mine is this is a quite mysterious issue for me maybe it would be better not to deconstruct it. Just listen to the sequence and combinations of the sounds represented over there. The result of it does not dependent on the subjective opinion of a critic it does live its own life.

Teddy Bear –Euphoria (2013)

Ceramic

/House, Club dance, Electronic pop/

Comment: indeed, Teddy Bear`s 2-track issue deserves its title and resonates with the sensual cover print because of swaying somewhere in between filter-heavy house music and elements wafting out of the club dance room. More concretely, with regard to filtered sounds it chimes truly in an oneiric way being counterbalanced with thumping bass frequencies and deliberately repeated vocal sample bits which soon will be distilled to emerge in a more chart-oriented way. However, this issue can also be considered to be a part of the chillwave movement saturated with sonorous breezes and mellifluous sound progressions. Excellent work by any means. The issue is a part of the Japanese label Ceramic Records. 

郁 - Fireworks (2013)

Ceramic Records

• Modern classical
• IDM
• Glitchtronica
• Crossover
• Pianotronica

Outstanding tracks:

Fireworks

Pulsation