REVIEW: Moskitoo - Mitosis

8.25 out of 10

Find it here. 

'Mitosis' is my first experience with Moskitoo's sound. Although I am a bit behind, (I believe) this is only Sanae's (Moskitoo) second official full length since her debut in 2007 (She's kept herself quite busy with lots of side projects). Like most Experimental-Electronic/Dream Pop (J-Pop) sounds that I love Moskitoo delivers a fresh breath of air via audio waves.

Glitchy Fragment Pop floats and glistens over & in-between mesmerizing waves of twinkly synths, warm drones, laid back acoustic landscapes, and Sanae's pacifying vocals. Or.. (for comparison purposes) "Caroline meets Miko with a touch of Múm". 'Mitosis' is a shimmering example of how you can mold Electronic music into sincere divine charm. From beginning to end your ear heart will melt for Moskitoo's 'Mitosis' ..which (I believe) is (in someway) cell division at it's finest;]

I would highly recommend Moskitoo to any fan of (good) music.. In-fact; I did (#41).

Standout Tracks: Wonder Particle, Trajectory, Mint Mitosis, Who Lives In The Skin Burn? (here's an earlier demo), Fragments Of Journey

EIC's 10Q's w/ Moskitoo

"..a shimmering example of how you can mold Electronic music into sincere divine charm.." 

Moskitoo

Musing Graceful Glitch

Moskitoo Bio:

  Born in 1978, and raised in Sapporo, Japan, Moskitoo is a sound and graphic designer and vocalist now based in Tokyo. Her debut album, Drape, was released on 12k in 2007. Moskitoo creates her own musical world using everyday instruments and objects like guitars, xylophones, and toys, to produce a style where electronic sounds and the harmonic layer of her unique voice meet. Thanks to the great success of “Drape”, especially overseas, Moskitoo has toured Japan as well as the world, playing shows in France, Belgium, Switzerland, New York, Boston, Canada and an Australian tour in 2011. She was invited to various events including art festivals such as the Camera Japan Festival in Rotterdam, Netherlands and Send + Receive in Winnipeg, Canada, and a live studio session for Dutch National Radio. Subsequently, Moskitoo released Drape (Remixes) a CD-EP with remixes by Taylor Deupree (12k), Frank Bretschneider (raster-noton) and Mark Fell (SND), and Si Sol E.P., a 7 inch record in collaboration with Sanae Nishio, Japanese painter who contributed her work for the sleeve art. Other Moskitoo work has ranged from music for the iPhone/iPad app Night on the Galactic Railroad by Kenji Miyazawa: a Music Picture-book to remix work worldwide. Apart from her own project as Moskitoo, she has participated in three albums by FilFla and works by domestic and international musicians, as well as performing vocals for music used in advertisements. In September 2013, for the first time in 6 years, Moskitoo releases her new album, Mitosis.

Hello, how are you?

Ms. Nishio forgot to answer this one, we'll assume she's peachy;]

What are you currently listening to?

Recently, I've been listening to the latest work of Tim Hecker as well as a Japanese Folk band named Eddie Marcon.

What or whom inspired you the most to begin this project?

At the root of inspiration for my solo project Moskitoo, is Japanese [Haco's] project 'After Dinner', as well as the solo work of each member from Soft Machine, Brigitte Fontaine, and Areski too... I feel/hear strong personalities from these individuals in their music...

Is there a story behind the name?

Most people imagine a mosquito when they hear "Moskitoo". But Moskitoo is not a mosquito:) It's more of a "symbol". I can find a lot of favorite words in it. Moss = Mosque, Ski (Ski means "love/like" in Japanese), oo (= ∞) etc... It's possible to interpret in a variety of ways, and has a strange sense of language, I actually feel the uniqueness that a lot of people will think of mosquito is a tiny presence… Also I'm interested in mosquito sound, which means a frequency inaudible to children only.

Care to shed some light on your latest release; theme, favorite track(s), etc?

The inspiration for the album came from cells, molecules, atoms, and all of the other particles that make up the smallest parts of animals; tiny dots that turn into something visible. The title of the album "Mitosis" means the proccess of cell division. The idea came from the phenomenon in which numerous small dots that are organically connected and interwoven separate and multiply to form a matrix. The album was created with a focus on such a subtle but important phenomenon, imaging that a small fraction of sound multiplies and changes little by little, eventually to fill up the room.

Will you be touring extensively for said release?

I just had a few shows scheduled in Japan. Overseas, ..I am waiting for an offer!!

Got any other projects we should know about?

I participated in the project FilFla [Keiichi Sugimoto], as well as Vegpher (as a vocalist).

What movie would work best on mute while listening to you music?

I recommend 'Powers Of Ten' by Charles and Ray Eames.:)

You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?

That's a difficult question… I cannot choose:)

Are you living your dream?

I have not lived my dream yet!!

Thanks Sanae!

Moskitoo recently released 'Mitosis', which happened to end up on this list..;]

REVIEW: Minamo - Durée

7 out of 10

Find it here.

Minamo's "Durée" is a special treat for all of you Ambient/Acoustic-Electronic loving fans. The band emerged right around the time this particular style of music was born in Japan, so one might say they are originators in a sense. The style of music I am referring to is "Neo-Ambient" music, which is a mixture of field recordings, stretched/cut/click takes of acoustic guitars, micro electronic sounds/keyboard fx, slight touches of Jazz and Classical music, and long droney sounds with a few other beautiful effects that may be hard to put your finger on. "Durée", which is a reference to French philosopher Henri-Louis Bergson’s concept of “pure durée,” an idea that one’s consciousness is a constant flow and not something that can be divided, reversed, or measured, is Minamo's fourth full length album. "Durée" is also off of the STUNNINGLY-beautiful label 12K, which if you know what I am talking about, you know what you're about to get into.

Most of the music on "Durée" was created from improv, after tightening the direction of the noise a little bit the band then took the music to the studio and created what sounds like a lovely stroll through a beautiful/organic dimension with nothing but the music and your own self-conscience to guide you through. In the past Minamo have focused on creating more of a synthetic environment, with this album they loosen up their instruments and just let whatever flowed out of them become apart of your headphones. You can focus on the acoustic samples in the forefront, or you can pay attention to the drone going on in the background, but no matter what with each listen something new will grow & evolve. To listen to "Durée" is like watching a flower slowly bloom while the environment around it takes on radical new changes.

Droney Micro-Electro-Acoustics may not be for all, but for any of you looking for good sleepy-time music you can finally lay your head on that comfy pillow of yours and relax, your soundtrack has arrived.

Standout Tracks: Elementary Domain, Help Ourselves, First Breathing At Last (my fav track, love the piano on this one)