Following up on Moteer's release of the Curveland album back in 2007, After All provides us with another opportunity to immerse ourselves in Yasuhiko Kukuzono's distinctive brand of electronic micro-pop. The opening track, 'Water Paintings' is instantly striking, teaming Kukuzono with the talents of the Spekk label's Mondii (supplying additional production) and Sylvain Chauveau, who brings lyrics and a vocal to the piece, sounding uncannily like a Gallic David Sylvian. Returning us to more familiar territory, pieces like 'Vertigo' typify the kind of pop music Aus strives to make, combining muffled electronic melodies, whispered vocals and even a bit of light orchestration submerged in the mix. 'IHI' is another success, its minuscule beats and lighter than air vocal colouring the whole production with the influence of Bjork's Vespertine album - particularly the two Thomas Knak contributions to that record, 'Cocoon' and 'Undo'. 'Lovers' continues to channel an Icelandic influence, tapping into Mùm's 'Green Grass Of Tunnel' with its subtle use of strings and chiming music box, while 'Waltz', a jazzy, downbeat piece, features vocals and lyrics from Lindsay Anderson (almost certainly not the deceased British new wave film director of the same name) lifting the album out of its introverted origins with some slushy, trip hop-style drumming. Highly recommended.
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Following up on Moteer's release of the Curveland album back in 2007, After All provides us with another opportunity to immerse ourselves in Yasuhiko Kukuzono's distinctive brand of electronic micro-pop. The opening track, 'Water Paintings' is instantly striking, teaming Kukuzono with the talents of the Spekk label's Mondii (supplying additional production) and Sylvain Chauveau, who brings lyrics and a vocal to the piece, sounding uncannily like a Gallic David Sylvian. Returning us to more familiar territory, pieces like 'Vertigo' typify the kind of pop music Aus strives to make, combining muffled electronic melodies, whispered vocals and even a bit of light orchestration submerged in the mix. 'IHI' is another success, its minuscule beats and lighter than air vocal colouring the whole production with the influence of Bjork's Vespertine album - particularly the two Thomas Knak contributions to that record, 'Cocoon' and 'Undo'. 'Lovers' continues to channel an Icelandic influence, tapping into Mùm's 'Green Grass Of Tunnel' with its subtle use of strings and chiming music box, while 'Waltz', a jazzy, downbeat piece, features vocals and lyrics from Lindsay Anderson (almost certainly not the deceased British new wave film director of the same name) lifting the album out of its introverted origins with some slushy, trip hop-style drumming. Highly recommended.
Following up on Moteer's release of the Curveland album back in 2007, After All provides us with another opportunity to immerse ourselves in Yasuhiko Kukuzono's distinctive brand of electronic micro-pop. The opening track, 'Water Paintings' is instantly striking, teaming Kukuzono with the talents of the Spekk label's Mondii (supplying additional production) and Sylvain Chauveau, who brings lyrics and a vocal to the piece, sounding uncannily like a Gallic David Sylvian. Returning us to more familiar territory, pieces like 'Vertigo' typify the kind of pop music Aus strives to make, combining muffled electronic melodies, whispered vocals and even a bit of light orchestration submerged in the mix. 'IHI' is another success, its minuscule beats and lighter than air vocal colouring the whole production with the influence of Bjork's Vespertine album - particularly the two Thomas Knak contributions to that record, 'Cocoon' and 'Undo'. 'Lovers' continues to channel an Icelandic influence, tapping into Mùm's 'Green Grass Of Tunnel' with its subtle use of strings and chiming music box, while 'Waltz', a jazzy, downbeat piece, features vocals and lyrics from Lindsay Anderson (almost certainly not the deceased British new wave film director of the same name) lifting the album out of its introverted origins with some slushy, trip hop-style drumming. Highly recommended.