"At first we were ready to brush Sonorapid off as another Japanese, Oval-esque IDM release; but we were soon drawn in and realized there is a lot more to this album than its surface elements. It does have skittery rhythms, clicks, whirrs, quietly ringing guitar notes and dreamy female vocals, but it all manages to transform within the song. Like the first Pole album, the elements that seem random or conceptual in other records reveal, upon closer inspection, a delicate arrangement that comes and goes, pushing the song forward. (All the songs have that quality, but check out track two, "Tewa Tori Aeru" and track four, "EMI.") That's the other thing about Aus, I can't imagine another artist that blends modern edginess with sweetness and effective song-y-ness in that Japanese way as well. Its kind of an update on the delicate balance reached on Nobukazu Takemura's very first Child's View album. Maybe it's the almost Nagisa Ni Te/romantic undertone that makes it special, that sweetness that's almost too sugary, but ends up being interesting enough, and having enough other qualities to offset the sweetness and lure you into it. This is definitely music for that "special" moment and that "special" place, but even if you're not necessarily in this mood, it will likely bring you there safe and sound. Excellent album." - Other Music
"weaving a magical spell over the listener, aus creates a sublime atmosphere that's relaxing and memorable" - Smallfish
"all of it just wonderful, quiet beauty" - Music (for robots)
"warm lush washes of shimmering bedroom pop in sunset" - Dotshop
"shimmer like summer haze lifting off a desert highway and glistens like sunlight sparkle reflecting off a gently rippling lake" - Textura
"lush and delicious" - Ear/Rational
"A dreamy blend of awkward rhythms and breathy female vocals that will appeal to fans of Mum" - Norman Records
you’ve been up all night. your ready to crash. but it’s not time yet. the best part of the day is coming up. time to sit by the window, or outside on the closest hillside. the sun breaks over the horizon, and your ready for another day. “sonorapid” by tokyo’s “aus” is the soundtrack to this moment. shimmering electronics, soft vocals, and the sunrise. intricate drum programming, subsonic frequencies, and female vocals are the plan. the sound of urban bedroom pop.
credits
released June 20, 2006
all songs written & produced by Yasuhiko Fukuzono at IMA
except tr3 co-produced by Takafumi Tsuchiya
with:
Yukiko Okamoto - vocal (1,3,4,6,7)
Cokiyu - vocal (2,5,9)
Suntra - acoustic guitar (4)
Chipoe - treatment (7)
mastered by Pandatone
artwork by Takafumi Tsuchiya
The sort of music that is beyond time.
The sort of music that you feel more than you hear.
I love the fact that vaporwave/dreampunk projects like these have such extremely evocative aesthetics they directly fill your mind with sensations you didn't know you had. You'd maybe think it relies on that solely, but it's coupled with gorgeous musicianship + intense production ideas. The volume and spaces it creates just pull you in instantly whatever your initial mood was.
Still stunning to this day. SUPRAQUENCER
Australian producer Schmo, inspired by Japanese ambient composers, creates a sense of careful nostalgia on this lovely, patient new LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 28, 2020